Banana Shark 770 - Advice

1978SeaRider · 04 August 2011, 11:28

Hi all,

I know they aren't exactly practicle... and I know the fuel bill will sting... but that aside.... does anyone know much about them ?

I have my eye on one that looks inncredible....

Thanks in advance !

Cookee · 04 August 2011, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978SeaRider

Hi all,

I know they aren't exactly practicle... and I know the fuel bill will sting... but that aside.... does anyone know much about them ?

I have my eye on one that looks inncredible....

Thanks in advance !

I'm guessing it was you who I spoke on the phone to earlier? The fuel bill is what is is for a 225 Optimax - as with any boat engine it's worse at wide open throttle - the only problem with the 770 is that you can spend a lot of time at wide open throttle! It's a 5 seater and you can wear a baseball hat at 60mph despite there being no windscreen and it will cope with rougher conditions than most ..........

But I'm biased!

1978SeaRider · 04 August 2011, 13:46

Yep, thats me...

Fuel economy's not an issue.... I'm looking at it next week... awesome bit of kit..

Less biased feedback is always also welcome

SeanSunseeker · 04 August 2011, 14:18

Hi,

I have a 770 and it can only be described as awesome. Fitted with the 250 Verado I can easily get it over 60 but more importantly with family on-board cruise at around 30 -35mph at 1lite/nm. Interestingly there is another sweet spot at just over 40mph which again i can get the boat to around 1 litre/nm.

Once you are moored or anchored the cockpit set-up is fantastic, very sociable. Build quality is excellent, storage particularly in the cavernous forward locker is brilliant (almost too big as you will carry far too much rubbish with you).

It turns heads where ever you go, so dont expect a quiet life !

if there is any negative its only in a following sea where you need some more cautious control of speed to wave height to to the fine bow section.

Mine is for sale by the way if interested, details on here, i do need it to go so would do a very good deal for a quick sale !!

thanks
Sean 07764 320518
sean.robertson@sunseeker.com

Cookee · 05 August 2011, 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanSunseeker

Hi,

I have a 770 and it can only be described as awesome.

if there is any negative its only in a following sea where you need some more cautious control of speed to wave height to to the fine bow section.

thanks
Sean 07764 320518
sean.robertson@sunseeker.com

A little trim and some power keeps the nose high enough to carry over everything but very serious stuff but that does need full commitment!

1978SeaRider · 07 August 2011, 22:30

Hi Cookee, Can you tell me the degree of dead rise of the hull please...

Cheers

Cookee · 08 August 2011, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978SeaRider

Hi Cookee, Can you tell me the degree of dead rise of the hull please...

Cheers

Hi - It's a variable deadrise, and obviously the sections between the steps have their own angle - I'll have a word with the technical department and see if I can put some numbers to that!

1978SeaRider · 08 August 2011, 11:02

Thanks Cookie... If you could please that would be great... I'm torn between this craft and a Scorpion... with only one concern regarding the 770's performance in big sea's.. I often have to pass through a strong tidal section of the coast with 1 - 3.5m swell... I also travel from holyhead to dublin on occasion and it gets a little hairy... I'm seeing the 2 x 770's and a 8m scorpion on thursday...

Cookee · 08 August 2011, 14:55

I have spoken to the technical department (Kevin) and it's all a bit vague and meaningless with variable deadrise stepped hull boats so it wouldn't make any sense to be honest and would certainly be of no use when comparing it with other boats.

If I was try and honestly compare the two hulls I would say that the Scorpion is a typical conventional hull and heavier, it will probably cope with the conditions you are talking about very well indeed, the BananaShark may give a slightly firmer ride but it will be faster with the same power which will make it more efficient at the same speed.

A 3.5 metre swell will be no problem for either boat unless it's very close together like the Needles - I'm not familiar with the water in the area you are talking about, so only you can answer that one. I have raced the race version of exactly the same hull in South Africa, Norway, Egypt, Italy and Gibraltar not forgetting the infamous Guernsey waters and even Scotland and we haven't found conditions that would cause us any great concern - the only thing that's missing is a great big windscreen to hide behind!

I think the most crucial conditions is what wind conditions will you go out in? Also do you tend to push on to the limits of the hull and engine? If so then you will not run out of handling on the upper limits of the BananaShark - I've been over 90mph in one! If you're expecting tough conditions buy the BananaShark and some rough weather clothing (I've got a couple of Gecko full face helmets in stock that would help) and enjoy the ride!

joakimhansson · 08 August 2011, 15:09

Don´t look at the degrees at the transom.
The balance of the boat is more important.

If you have a boat you need to trim out to find the speed will be very interesting in choppy seas. I think the bananashark have the right balance so you do not need to trim out, the prop push forward mostly. Not so much for lifting the bow as the old school was.
Look at cookees videos at youtube and you will see.

My boat have the right balance and a well designed hull, and it is amazingly fun to jump with, and you land much more flat than other boats. And i think i have 19 degrees at the transom, but i never land on the transom only. The running surface is more on step one and two, and you have big difference in the degrees there.
If i should by a new boat today, the bananashark 770 should be on my list.
And i have simular chairs as the bananashark, not jockeyseats. And my back never complain.

1978SeaRider · 08 August 2011, 16:00

Spot on... thanks guys... I'm genuinely excited about seeing them on Thursday... I just hope the weathers mixed so I can get a feel for the hull...

1978SeaRider · 11 August 2011, 14:42

I was fortunate enough to test drive one 770 today. I must say the overall look of the boat is impressive. I must also complement Cookie as the build and 'finish' of the boat is also fantastic. The hull design is excellent and the overall feel of the boat is great. Unfortunetly the boat would not be suitable for my usage. .

I'm off to see a Reveneger 27 next week if anyone has any comments regarding those ?

Cookee · 11 August 2011, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978SeaRider

I was fortunate enough to test drive one 770 today. I must say the overall look of the boat is impressive. I must also complement Cookie as the build and 'finish' of the boat is also fantastic. The hull design is excellent and the overall feel of the boat is great. Unfortunetly the boat would not be suitable for my usage. .

I'm off to see a Reveneger 27 next week if anyone has any comments regarding those ?

The build and finish are down to "Kitten" on here - sorry you don't find it suitable for your use - I would be interested to hear why though?

1978SeaRider · 11 August 2011, 15:00

After a test in moderate sea's today, I don't think it would suit the conditions I often go out in around Anglesey. Great boat tho.

willk · 11 August 2011, 15:21

How did you find the Scorpions?

1978SeaRider · 11 August 2011, 15:29

Not had a chance to see any Scorpions yet... flying to Jersey next week to try the Revenger, then maybe a Scorpion the same week depending on the Revenger.

RMT · 13 August 2011, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

The build and finish are down to "Kitten" on here - sorry you don't find it suitable for your use - I would be interested to hear why though?

Hi Cookee

Do you know if the handling of the 770 would be similar to that of a pascoe SR7 in choppy seas ? many thanks richard

Cookee · 14 August 2011, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMT

Hi Cookee

Do you know if the handling of the 770 would be similar to that of a pascoe SR7 in choppy seas ? many thanks richard

I used to race against the Mannerfelt's that the SR7 is based on and they are wetter than the 770 - the BananaShark has a lot more "recovery" in the bow so it's much better downwind, other than that probably quite similar in many respects with different layouts of course, not forgetting the storage in the 770!

RMT · 14 August 2011, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I used to race against the Mannerfelt's that the SR7 is based on and they are wetter than the 770 - the BananaShark has a lot more "recovery" in the bow so it's much better downwind, other than that probably quite similar in many respects with different layouts of course, not forgetting the storage in the 770!

Thanks for the info

Searider · 14 August 2011, 22:10

Pascoe

I was speaking with someone who used to race a Pascoe and he was also saying that it was a wet boat. Great race boat when driven at 100% but he found that his family got drenched when out on a jolly driving at 60%.

Echoing what Cookee said above.