Humber Ocean Pro 7m with diesel

smokie · 19 February 2005, 21:34

Does anyone own a Humber Ocean Pro 7m with the Merc 1.7L Turbo diesel?

I'd like to ask some questions on performance from someone that actually uses it in the real world.

Andre · 20 February 2005, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

Does anyone own a Humber Ocean Pro 7m with the Merc 1.7L Turbo diesel?

I'd like to ask some questions on performance from someone that actually uses it in the real world.

Send a PM to Mike C he has the Humber 630 with the Mercruiser 1.7

smokie · 24 February 2005, 13:43

Ok, since no member has the 7m diesel Humber I'll address one of my questions to all 6-7m Humber Ocean Pro owners in general.

I am considering buying a 7m Humber Ocean Pro however I'm concerned about the foward visibility when the driver is seated on the jockey seat. From the photos it appears that the driver can hardly see much when standing up (I'm average height). Is this an issue on this craft more so than on others because of the upturned bow?

I realize I need to test drive one however that will be a while 'cause I live in the US.

gingercoastie · 24 February 2005, 13:49

Forward visability on my 6.3 Ocean Pro was excellent seated or standing. It was also good for my wife (5ft 4ish)

Jono · 24 February 2005, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

...I am considering buying a 7m Humber Ocean Pro however I'm concerned about the foward visibility when the driver is seated on the jockey seat. .....

I realize I need to test drive one however that will be a while 'cause I live in the US.

No problem for me on my boat at 6'2"... height NOT waist, before anyone butts in....

...with this set up... the chap at the helm here is about 6' ish...

simmons0 · 24 February 2005, 16:15

Visibilty shouldnt be a problem, dont expect to set any speed records with that set up though.

Pickled · 24 February 2005, 16:28

Smokie
Although I dont own one a Guy in our club has one, he hires this out to divers and twitchers. From a divers point of view great rib very stable etc.
Things that he has had problems with have included the engine or rather lack of power from the unit.
He tried firstly repropping with various pitches and sizes before putting on a four bladed type. He then took the boat to a rolling road type of thing this is when they discovered that the wrong fuel filter had been fitted and the unit wasnt getting enough of the red stuff! This had not been fitted by the owner of the rib!!!!

After all of this which took a few months to sort out the boat still didnt perform well 17 knts- 23knts loaded. Bottom line is general view here was it was underpowered.
The guy has now had the new volvo? deisel fitted and the boat flies 25knts-35kts loaded with a slightly worse fuel consumption.
Give me pm if you want to speak direct with the owner I am sure he will put you right with any other issues you want to talk about.
Hope that helps you
Picks

smokie · 24 February 2005, 16:53

Thank you to everyone who has posted thus far.

What attracts me to the 7m Humber diesel is the long range capability, not top end speed. My dream voyage is to go from San Diego CA to Cabo San Lucas in Baja Mexico then from there perhaps to Mazatlan. Fishing all the way.

The plan is to tow a dingy, my current 4m Zodiac inflatable with a 35hp petrol engine. In the event I hook a billfish I would detach from the mother ship and play the fish from the Zodiac. The Zodiac has three air chambers so would remain afloat in the event of a puncture and is easily repaired.

Following the coast its approx 1600 kilometers from San Diego to Cabo. Like I said, its a dream trip, fun to plan.

smokie · 24 February 2005, 17:05

Pickled,

I'm surprised the Humber you are refering to performed so poorly. I have a Humber sales brochure that state that the 7m with the 1.7L Turbo diesel will cruise at 30knts with a 7.5 litre per hour burn rate (lightly loaded).

Naturally if I were to seriously consider buying one I would insist on verifying the performance myself. It would not be a wasted trip however because there are other ribs I want to look at in the UK.

If there are other diesel ribs in the 7m range with verifyable long range capability let me know.

simmons0 · 24 February 2005, 17:22

30 knots will be very near flat out, and at that it would be using more like 11-12lph i should think.

Over 100 hours ive used 9lph overall, in a light boat, and we tend to cruise around 25knots.

Have you considered the Volvo D3-160hp instead?

Swifty · 24 February 2005, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

will cruise at 30knts with a 7.5 litre per hour burn rate (lightly loaded).

Theres a few Range Rover owners wish they could get that...

smokie · 24 February 2005, 17:44

SimmonsO,

I can live with 9Lph at 25knts. Actually Solent is a brand I am considering also. I like their console. Do you have a pic of your rib posted?

On your rib, what is the distance from the front of the engine housing to the back of the drivers's seat? From the front of the console seat to the face of the anchor locker? Just trying to get a feel for the amount of space available on the 6m with a diesel. Thanks.

simmons0 · 24 February 2005, 17:57

Couldnt tell you the distances off the top of my head.
Remember 9lph includes any time at idle, so more like 10lph underway? maybe...

ive attached a few pictures, but i dont seem to have any of the layout. Ill check the solent website and see if theres some on there.

The solents are a fair amount lighter than the humbers, and quite a bit faster. The trade off being they dont perform so well in rough seas. Perfect for skimming over chop, not so good at plowing through big seas.

peter 24/7 · 24 February 2005, 18:38

Why don't you have a look at a Ribcraft with Volvo D3 160 hp.
Ribcraft USA should be able to help, saves shipping from UK with the Humber.

smokie · 24 February 2005, 19:49

True, but then again I would miss out on the trans-Atlantic crossing ;-).

It all comes down to overall cost and fuel efficiency.

My wife wants to visit Ireland some day so it would be a good opportunity to check out some ribs.

Many rib manufactures either don't have fuel consumption data or are reluctant to give it out. Right or wrong I give Humber credit for publishing such data.

I will check out Ribcraft's diesel.

swginn · 24 February 2005, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokie

My wife wants to visit Ireland some day so it would be a good opportunity to check out some ribs.

If you come to Ireland then you should definitely check out the following:
www.redbayboats.com
www.excaliburribs.com
Redbay are built in Northern Ireland, however they have a dealer down south in Cork also. Excalibur are built in Cork. Both have diesel options.

Mike C · 26 February 2005, 23:41

Hello Smokie

I've not logged on for a while and only just come across this post .... apologies.

The Humber 6.3 with the Merc 1.7 is actually quite a good set up. No, you won't break any speed records but it IS good on fuel. (Though I would take the manufacturers figures on speed and fuel consumption with a pinch of salt! I think they were done with a basic boat and a teaspoon of fuel!) I have a fairly heavy version with 4 pod seats and a double console with bench seat at the front of that. The maximum speed I have ever had is 32 knots. With a full fuel tank, (150 litres) the top speed will struggle to get 30. I normally cruise at about 23 knots, which from memory is about 3,400 revs with my 23” prop. The fuel consumption for an average trip (varying speeds from tick over to full throttle), works out at about 10 litres per hour. You can work that out into your strange version of a gallon yourself!
The boat has a bloody good hull and is very soft for its length. There is very little tube sticking out the back (about .4 Mtr), so most of the 6.3 metres is hull…. My last boat was 5.8 meter Ribcraft but .75 of that was sticky out tube!

I have no problem seeing over the bow… and you will be glad of the turned up nose in a rough following sea!

There is a picture of my boat at http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....achmentid=2787

Where is Novato?

Mike C

smokie · 27 February 2005, 00:58

Mike C

Thank you for the information, I like the color scheme of your boat, blue & grey.
If you ever get a chance, please post photos of your console & front seats on this thread since that is what I would get.

I did the math and fuel consumption looks good based on the figures you gave me. Much better than a petrol engine.

smokie · 27 February 2005, 00:59

Novato is 48 kilometers north of San Francisco, California.

Mike C · 27 February 2005, 16:28

Hi Smokie.....

OK, I will upload these photos on the proviso that if you buy a RIB, the next time I'm in Northern California, you give me a ride?

That OK ?

The person in these photos is not me by the way. It’s Ageing Youth.... Hi Kevin!

Enjoy,

Mike C