Avon SR4 - PTT required or just an added bonus?

Tim in Yorkshire · 11 February 2014, 17:53

Evening all, about to start my search for an Avon SR4, I've seen some advertised with PTT and some without. I plan to use the boat on the North Yorkshire coast for a variety of uses, fishing, towing toys in summer, the odd dive trip with a mate, shortish leg in shore cruises etc.

So with this type of varied use and the mixed conditions we get here I was thinking PTT would be desirable, but how much of an issue would it be to not have it up here? - All the other ribs I've helmed have had PTT fitted and have been a bit bigger than an SR4, hence the question.

JamesF · 11 February 2014, 19:00

I can only really comment on manual tilt. I've used power tilt on one SR4, but it was a 20hp motor. And it was the worst possible system for our kind of use.

Manual tilt is no trouble at all in the rough stuff.

We had fully manual tilt on our club's SR4 for years. Even the 110kg lump of an engine it used to have was just about manageable — though I certainly wouldn't recommend it for either ease of use or handling! Nowadays, we have pneumatic assisted manual tilt, which is easier to use, can lock at any angle and still works for our beach launching, where PTT is a pain in the neck.

Starovich · 11 February 2014, 19:03

more about the engine size than the boat, over 40hpid say ppt is a really good thing to have, though i've used many SR5.4 with 40 hp with no ptt with no issues.

Tim in Yorkshire · 11 February 2014, 20:51

Thanks for all the above, I'll keep it in mind.

chris.moody · 11 February 2014, 21:27

I had a manual start manual trim Yam 40 on my SR4. Worked fine on that size of engine and boat, you just had to be organised on launch and recovery to make sure you didn't ding the Skeg. No electrics at all kept things simple, and I did not really miss the ability to trim before a turn.

As I am replacing the engine I am going electric start and PTT, but I would not have bothered retro fitting PTT to the old Yam.

Chris

simon23 · 11 February 2014, 21:45

I can't see ptt being a bad point on any set up. I've had both and beach landing in a 4mtr boat without ptt is a pita

JamesF · 11 February 2014, 23:08

Quote:

beach landing in a 4mtr boat without ptt is a pita

I find it OK coming in slowly when it's flat. Otherwise, I'd rather just unlock it and let the crew pull it up. Or not pull it up, as the case may be, in which case it gets out of the way on its own.

Maybe I've not got the technique right yet, but I've not made a decent landing in a PTT-equipped boat in anything more than slight chop, except once by accident.

Nos4r2 · 11 February 2014, 23:17

When it gets lumpy, PTT is a massive bonus.

I used the same SR4 without PTT for a season with a Merc 50, then put a PTT Mariner 50 on it. It was a huge improvement. Once you've used it, you won't go back.

hamster · 12 February 2014, 06:42

Like any boat the sr4 is affected by where you sit store your sandwiches etc. Probably more so as it's such a light boat so having ptt and the ability to trim the boat correctly for the conditions is a massive bonus.
As you've got to deposit a load of ballast each time you get on the plane you want to be able to trim the bow down so this happens quicker (more lift generated by hull, less fuel wasted) but then by trimming the bow up once planning the boat rides a lot better, especially in rough stuff, is easier to steer, uses less fuel and can be up to 3 or 4 knots faster (depending on loading) than when trimmed down. This is as well as the obvious advantages when launch and coming into beaches etc.
Unless price rules it out its a no brainer to go with ptt.
Yes it can fail occasionally but most systems have a simple manual over ride system incase this happens.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

9D280 · 12 February 2014, 09:42

Yeah, +1 for "it's very useful".

My old SR4 had a manual tilt Suz 25 on the transom. I would set the tilt pin before departure to get the best out it for the trip. (E.g cruise on a flat day I;d notch it up, rescue or big lumpy waves I'd notch it down.

Current PT boat - I expect I'll wear the brushes in the PT motor out before I change the plugs!!*

* Not really - just phrased like that for maximum effect.

Mercury · 12 February 2014, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim in Yorkshire

Evening all, about to start my search for an Avon SR4, I've seen some advertised with PTT and some without. I plan to use the boat on the North Yorkshire coast for a variety of uses, fishing, towing toys in summer, the odd dive trip with a mate, shortish leg in shore cruises etc.

So with this type of varied use and the mixed conditions we get here I was thinking PTT would be desirable, but how much of an issue would it be to not have it up here? - All the other ribs I've helmed have had PTT fitted and have been a bit bigger than an SR4, hence the question.

Hi Tim,
Check out my post regarding pt&t. Buying an engine with factory fitted t&t was going to be too expensive. So I fitted my own, have a search for my post.
"Putting Power tilt and trim on a Manual tilt Engine" Dead chuffed with it, it's made a world of difference.

Searider · 12 February 2014, 16:17

Love the PTT on my Yam 30 on the SR4

Exe treme · 12 February 2014, 16:23

I had an ex- RNLI 40 manual gas assist tilt a few years back, so although I didn't have any reach/weight issues, it was a pain when coming into the shallows or mooring at low tide.

If PTT is a viable option, don't hesistate.

Jonny H · 12 February 2014, 20:20

For me power trim is a must have if you want to get the best performance from your Rib, personally i wouldn't have anything without it