Humber 5.8 or leeway 6.3

[ciaranp]

If you had a choice between a Humber 5.8m Destroyer with 140hp Suzuki
Or
Leeway 6.3m with 135 optimax.

Both 2nd hand

What would you choose? Better buy?

[Rooster21]

The Suzuki would clinch it for me.

But I never owned either of those hulls.

[havener]

Humber every time.

Virtually indestructable.

Don't know the Leeway boat, seems controversial but never heard a bad word about build quality.

Only way really is to fo and play with both. Also remember the extra length on the Leeway and check your shore facilities / parking / tow vehicle are up to the extra size.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ciaranp

If you had a choice between a Humber 5.8m Destroyer with 140hp Suzuki Or Leeway 6.3m with 135 optimax.
Both 2nd hand What would you choose? Better buy?

We drove past the Leeway in Cowes on Sunday, wish I had known we could have photographed it for you. It shares the same hull form as several other well known makes of ribs - there is lots on Ribnet about them if you want to spend an evening searching. However before spending that amount of money I would jump on a plane and pop over, then take the Leeway out for good couple of hours of trials. It should be a very quick sports boat.

Pete

[joakimhansson]

What´s the price?

Maybe some other brand is better for you.

I think leeway is a light and fast boat if that is what you want...

Maybe Ribcraft 5,85?

[Lostboy]

Different boats.

The Humber is heavier, less efficient and lively and FEELS more seaworthy, the Leeway is lighter, livelier and with less freeboard etc is less where you'd want to be caught out in 30k and the associated sea.

I have the original Leeway no. 1 with an Evinrude 115 on it and it's been fantastic. It's incredibly economical (averaged 10l/hour over the course of it's two and half years with me, mixed use, commuting, skiing, wakeboarding etc). The build quality is second to none, the rigging was ok but we have changed one or two things for the better and it's as quick as hell.

It's also coped very well with everything we've thrown at it including going out to the inshore Volvo Ocean Race leg at Portsmouth in 40k and horrible seas. But it has to be said that it takes more thought and effort to drive it in that sort of stuff than it would a Ribcraft/Humber etc. Horses for courses really.

Probably your best bet is to be honest with yourself about what you are really going to use it for and the conditions you will use it in and then the decision should be easier. Sub 20k winds/associated chop etc then it's the Leeway, above and it's the Humber.

[ciaranp]

the humber is dearer obviously. The humber 12,500ish and leeway 11ish.
Humber 03 hull with new tubes 06. Suzuki 04 only 200hrs.

Will be using it in open coastal waters. Thinkin the humber myself.

[Lostboy]

Of course the other thing to think about (I seem to remember that you had a towing thread going) is that the Leeway is MUCH lighter to tow!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ciaranp

the humber is dearer obviously. The humber 12,500ish and leeway 11ish. Humber 03 hull with new tubes 06. Suzuki 04 only 200hrs. Will be using it in open coastal waters. Thinking the humber myself.

How come it needed new tubes and an engine change within 3 years

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by Lostboy

Of course the other thing to think about (I seem to remember that you had a towing thread going) is that the Leeway is MUCH lighter to tow!

won't worry about that now as one of the lads has a jeep

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by Pete7

How come it needed new tubes and an engine change within 3 years

The tubes that were on it Orange ones origially, they faded so it was retubed by humber with Navy ones.
Engine was put on at start of 04 as he had an old engine on it before this for a few months and decided to change, more Hp.

[ribit]

What about resale the leeway has been the subject of much bad publicity looking through the treads and I have noticed prices slashed often on boats and outboards...where as with the Humber it's heritage is known amongst the boating fraternity

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by ribit

What about resale the leeway has been the subject of much bad publicity looking through the treads and I have noticed prices slashed often on boats and outboards...where as with the Humber it's heritage is known amongst the boating fraternity

Unless your poor BogMonster

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by ribit

What about resale the leeway has been the subject of much bad publicity looking through the treads and I have noticed prices slashed often on boats and outboards...where as with the Humber it's heritage is known amongst the boating fraternity

I was thinking the same myself the humber is well known.
How long should the tubes last on a humber? Shouldn't have much of an issue considering they were only done in 06.

as for a 140hp suzuki on it, how much per hour at cruising 27 to 30 knots? 10l/hr ?.
How many knots should i see?

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by ciaranp

as for a 140hp suzuki on it, how much per hour at cruising 27 to 30 knots? 10l/hr ?.
How many knots should i see?

For me 42 Knots top and an all round average of 1.2 NM to the Litre.

[Alex Brown]

Originally Posted by Biggles

For me 42 Knots top and an all round average of 1.2 NM to the Litre.

Ditto on the fuel figures... can't comment on the Leeway, don't think I've ever seen one down this way. The Destroyer is very good for any weather, it's also quite a dry boat.

My Humber was delivered new to me in December '02 with Suzy 140 and things are still going well on it <touch wood>. I have the engine serviced annually by our local Suzy dealer and so far there haven't been any issues.

-Alex

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by Alex Brown

Ditto on the fuel figures... can't comment on the Leeway, don't think I've ever seen one down this way. The Destroyer is very good for any weather, it's also quite a dry boat.

My Humber was delivered new to me in December '02 with Suzy 140 and things are still going well on it <touch wood>. I have the engine serviced annually by our local Suzy dealer and so far there haven't been any issues.

-Alex

Glad to hear. A good engine all round so. What size of prop you have? Stainless or Aluminium? Wat max revs yo getting and speed?

[Cypman]

Hi Ciaranp

Whilst I am sure you want to get your hands on a new "toy" I would not rush to buy one of the first you see. Lots of boats tend to be put up for sale in march and april. I fully support thr Humber choice, they are strong seaworthy craft and last forever. Having suggested you don't rush things, have you seen the Humber 5.5m Ocean Pro for sale on Apollo Duck, Ireland (Ref No: 76862)? I had a 6.3m Ocean Pro and Instructed on a 5.5m Ocean Pro and a 5m Destroyer. The 5.5m Ocean Pro was the best of the 3 as it was a perfect compromise between length and launch weight. Have a look at the Apollo Duck ad but be quick, I don't think it will last long, especially as the seller is open to offers!! It should be good for 35-40kts with a 90HP Honda.

[ciaranp]

Originally Posted by Cypman

Hi Ciaranp

Whilst I am sure you want to get your hands on a new "toy" I would not rush to buy one of the first you see. Lots of boats tend to be put up for sale in march and april. I fully support thr Humber choice, they are strong seaworthy craft and last forever. Having suggested you don't rush things, have you seen the Humber 5.5m Ocean Pro for sale on Apollo Duck, Ireland (Ref No: 76862)? I had a 6.3m Ocean Pro and Instructed on a 5.5m Ocean Pro and a 5m Destroyer. The 5.5m Ocean Pro was the best of the 3 as it was a perfect compromise between length and launch weight. Have a look at the Apollo Duck ad but be quick, I don't think it will last long, especially as the seller is open to offers!! It should be good for 35-40kts with a 90HP Honda.

Ye saw that. Do the tubes not look kinda faded?

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Pete7

How come it needed new tubes and an engine change within 3 years

I could offer several possible reasons for a Humber needing new tubes far earlier than it ought to...