Humber Ocean Pro 2.6m beam

Simon B · 01 August 2008, 19:25

Does anyone on this forum have a 6.0 metre version in this beam? If so how does it perform in comparison to the 6.0 metre 2.34 beam?

I'm trying to put together a realistic spec for our next dive boat, so looking at boats that are towable by a large saloon car with room for divers and asociated junk.

PeterR · 01 August 2008, 19:52

Hi Simon ,I use a 6.5 humber it handles supurb.I will check out the beam width but cannot say how it compared to any other humber .Jonathan garten would probably have the best experience on humbers you may also find he can give you a good price for one as well

Ian Sharlot · 01 August 2008, 20:20

Hi Simon

Both are excellent boats. If you tow far, the 2.6 beam is a wide boat on the road. I have a 2.34 beam as a personal boat at the moment and unless you really need the extra room for divers, I would go for the 2.34 every time. Pm me if you would like to see the 2.34.

BruceB · 01 August 2008, 22:00

I think you would struggle to tow a 2.6m RIB behind a car. Even the 2.3M Humbers are considerably wider than even a 4x4, the extra foot or so again would make it difficult to stop hitting things with the tubes, especially in a dive club environment.
I doubt a wide beam RIB at 6m with all the weight of dive kit, outboard large enough for a boat that size, boat equipment, hull, fuel and the divers in the car would be within the legal gross combined drivetrain weight of many, if any, saloon car.
There is a fair difference between enough power to, and legally being able to, tow something of that weight.
The whole issue would need to be very carefuly looked at bearing in mind the cars available, this is likely to be the limiting factor on boat size or at least it always have been in any club I have been in.

Simon B · 01 August 2008, 23:03

Quite true Bruce hence the question, I think 2.6 is too wide but that is instinct not evidence. Our towable limit is fairly tight we either goes as large as is thoeretically possible 5.85 - 6.0 or 6.3 max or got to 2 super small cheap ribs, tiller steer? (to up the people we can take at low cost)

Economy of (whatever) scale is the way to go, however, dive rib configuration is very important. Our current boat isnt ideal even though I have very soft spot for our Delta. Sometimes I think a degree course could be offered in subjects like this...studnet loan? Where do I sign?

Jono G has outfitted some interesting dive configurations, more research clearly is required! Might have to book some rough water handling with him! This may end up as a design thread, might post a graphic of our current blue-sky amateur dive club rib.

BruceB · 01 August 2008, 23:39

I have been in clubs were they were towing combinations that were blatantly illegal.
I always thought that there were going to be some very sorry folk in the event of any accident as insurance was going to be very tricky and the likeliehood was that the boat cost would be lost to the club if written off.
Sometimes you have to make the club rules work to protect people from themselves......
Good luck with the choice, its always better spending someones elses money buying a boat, just as long as it is not a committee made design decision

With a bit of luck your club will have the sense to give a briefand leave the work to one or two folk that come back with a spec that the whole committee approves rather than 10 folk all sticking an oar in all the way through the reasearch/specification process...
(Can you tell I have been there

)

Simon B · 02 August 2008, 06:46

We have worked hard to make our rig of boat and trailer legal, reliable and easy to tow. We want to transfer this to any new boat we get. A small group is working on the spec and another on how we will fund it. The money side being the harder at present.

Spec and configuration discussions are likely to be endless, however, we have the benefit of diving off some good examples and some not ideal. We also need to try and optimise the fuel consumption of both tow vehicle and boat shared out between trip participants. For the first time recently my petrol V8 came in almost as cheap as a diesel Mr Bushy L200, it's got that bad!

Paul Beaurain · 02 August 2008, 07:33

Hi
I towed extensively with Ocean Pro 6.3.
The funny thing was I thought I had the 2.6m beam version, because it seemed so wide (when towing). But Ian Sharlot corrected me on this - after he had seen the boat and we were discussing it.
So in summary go for the 2.34m beam
My new boat is 2.88m beam - so hav'nt braved the roads yet!
Paul

Jono Garton · 02 August 2008, 08:15

HI Simon

Destroyer Pics as promised

Jono

Jono Garton · 02 August 2008, 08:22

Ocean pro pics

Simon B · 03 August 2008, 12:33

Cheers Jono,

So most divers who trail go for the 2.28? is this available in 6.0 metres I looked on Humbers site it looked like the range finished at 5.8 metres. I had a go of my mates 6.3 OP 2.34 and liked it very much but it is a heavy boat to move about on land.

I was trying to keep the weight down by a shorter hull, a light motor E-tec or Optimax 150 and a single axle trailer, less stainless work. I think we could save 150 - 200kgs compared to my mates boat.

Jono Garton · 03 August 2008, 13:23

Hi

Most of the dive clubs who we sell boats to go for the Destroyer which is 2.28m beam.

Jono

Ian Sharlot · 03 August 2008, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

Cheers Jono,

So most divers who trail go for the 2.28? is this available in 6.0 metres I looked on Humbers site it looked like the range finished at 5.8 metres. I had a go of my mates 6.3 OP 2.34 and liked it very much but it is a heavy boat to move about on land.

I was trying to keep the weight down by a shorter hull, a light motor E-tec or Optimax 150 and a single axle trailer, less stainless work. I think we could save 150 - 200kgs compared to my mates boat.

Hi Simon

The destroyer is available i the 6 meter, 150 hp is max power on it but it makes a great boat

Simon B · 04 August 2008, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Sharlot

Hi Simon

The destroyer is available i the 6 meter, 150 hp is max power on it but it makes a great boat

Would 115hp be underpowered for a dive rib? They usually operate with a heavy payload. The plan would be for upto 8 divers plus 2 crew off this boat. This is within it's limits for the hull, engine though may feel a bit gutless. It's highly likely we'd use a 4 bladed prop again, this worked well on the Delta. A number of OB manufacturers do do motors between 115 and 150 but they use the 150 or larger block so motor weighs the same. I had discounted twins for all the normal reasons.

Jono Garton · 04 August 2008, 12:43

115hp Optimax on a 6m produces about 38knots 2 up.

Jono

Simon B · 04 August 2008, 16:13

Our Delta 5.5 with a 100hp 4st will do about 25 flat calm 8 up (6 divers 2 crew)

2 up only it'll do about 31.

Pablo · 08 August 2008, 10:58

I may need correcting but I think this applies throughout europe. On the roads your not allowed to tow anything wider than 2.5m. If you buy a boat with a 2.6m beam the tubes would have to be deflated for each trip.

bedajim · 08 August 2008, 11:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

I may need correcting but I think this applies throughout europe. On the roads your not allowed to tow anything wider than 2.5m. If you buy a boat with a 2.6m beam the tubes would have to be deflated for each trip.

In the UK the trailer can be up to 2300 mm wide and load can be a maximum of 305 mm more on either side so 2900 mm overall

Hangman · 09 August 2008, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

Would 115hp be underpowered for a dive rib? They usually operate with a heavy payload. The plan would be for upto 8 divers plus 2 crew off this boat. This is within it's limits for the hull, engine though may feel a bit gutless. It's highly likely we'd use a 4 bladed prop again, this worked well on the Delta. A number of OB manufacturers do do motors between 115 and 150 but they use the 150 or larger block so motor weighs the same. I had discounted twins for all the normal reasons.

Our Humber O/P 6.3 with a 4/S Suzuki 115 shifts very nicely when fully loaded (not with dive gear, but with lots and lots of people) so I couldn't see it being a problem. If you're still not convinced, go for a 150 but personally I see no need myself

willk · 09 August 2008, 18:32

Our club boat, a 6.1m Redbay has a 115 Evinrude Ficht and makes well over 35knots lightly loaded. This drops away rapidly when loaded for diving, and generally leads to running at WOT to keep to schedule. If the startup budget was any way flexible, a bigger lump could be run at much lower revs for the same speeds and keep the fuel bill down on an ongoing basis.

My own Redbay 6.5 has a 2700mm beam and makes for an "interesting" towing experience on the wee roads.