Mercury 460 Ocean Runner - Opinions

[maddesigns2001]

Hi everyone, would really appreciate knowledge on whether this is a good first time buy and if there is anything that looks problematic? For leisure use only. Thanks in advance

Mercury 460 Ocean Runner Rib with its Mercury 60hp 4-stroke outboard The boat and engine was delivered in 2020 and the engine has about 70hr use since new. The engine has a full Mercury service history. Warranty for the engine until July 2025. It also benefits from a Baystar Hydraulic steering The console has a Fusion MS RA55 stereo with Bluetooth and speaker, Lawrence VHF. The boat also has a Dual battery system, Rear stainless A-Frame, Keel Guard, Hull Antifoul in White, Full set of seat Cushions, Bilge pump, Ropes and Anchor, Console cover, Overall Winter cover. The boat comes on an Extreme Roller Coaster trailer.

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by maddesigns2001

Hi everyone, would really appreciate knowledge on whether this is a good first time buy and if there is anything that looks problematic? For leisure use only. Thanks in advance

Mercury 460 Ocean Runner Rib with its Mercury 60hp 4-stroke outboard The boat and engine was delivered in 2020 and the engine has about 70hr use since new. The engine has a full Mercury service history. Warranty for the engine until July 2025. It also benefits from a Baystar Hydraulic steering The console has a Fusion MS RA55 stereo with Bluetooth and speaker, Lawrence VHF. The boat also has a Dual battery system, Rear stainless A-Frame, Keel Guard, Hull Antifoul in White, Full set of seat Cushions, Bilge pump, Ropes and Anchor, Console cover, Overall Winter cover. The boat comes on an Extreme Roller Coaster trailer.

Depends what you plan to do with it and how many onboard. The Ocean Runners are a fairly shallow V hull, which combined with its relatively short length means it's not very good when the water isn't flat calm! The slightly abnormal centre wheel arrangement also means you're only likely to sit one person behind the console and one in front (where they will probably get soaked and bounced around).

If it's just for pottering around on flat water on sunny days with one or two people onboard, fine. But if you're based in Christchurch and want something you can more happily take out of the harbour and along to the Solent/IoW and cope if the sea gets a bit rougher, possibly worth looking at something with a slightly deeper V hull, even if a similar length.

[Fenlander]

Mod note: I've moved this to the RIB section with a new title so you get a better chance of replies to add to Paul's information.

[maddesigns2001]

Originally Posted by maddesigns2001

Hi everyone, would really appreciate knowledge on whether this is a good first time buy and if there is anything that looks problematic? For leisure use only. Thanks in advance

Mercury 460 Ocean Runner Rib with its Mercury 60hp 4-stroke outboard The boat and engine was delivered in 2020 and the engine has about 70hr use since new. The engine has a full Mercury service history. Warranty for the engine until July 2025. It also benefits from a Baystar Hydraulic steering The console has a Fusion MS RA55 stereo with Bluetooth and speaker, Lawrence VHF. The boat also has a Dual battery system, Rear stainless A-Frame, Keel Guard, Hull Antifoul in White, Full set of seat Cushions, Bilge pump, Ropes and Anchor, Console cover, Overall Winter cover. The boat comes on an Extreme Roller Coaster trailer.

Thank you! So much appreciated.

Whilst initially, as a beginner, I will only be up and down on calm water, (to gain confidence etc). I will want to venture outside of the harbour quite quickly and with more than 1 or 2 people on board. So thank you for everything that you have pointed out, particularly, having the centre wheel!

[maddesigns2001]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Mod note: I've moved this to the RIB section with a new title so you get a better chance of replies to add to Paul's information.

Thank you very much!

[paulbrown22]

Assuming you did your PB Level 2 on a more capable craft, for your intended usage and location I suspect you'll find an Ocean Runner a bit limiting, and if you did buy it you'd want to swap in a year or so once you start venturing out of the harbour!

More assuming that it's the one at Bailey Bridge for £10.5k, for that sort of price I don't think you should struggle to find a more capable boat, even if you don't want to go much larger.

[maddesigns2001]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

Assuming you did your PB Level 2 on a more capable craft, for your intended usage and location I suspect you'll find an Ocean Runner a bit limiting, and if you did buy it you'd want to swap in a year or so once you start venturing out of the harbour!

More assuming that it's the one at Bailey Bridge for £10.5k, for that sort of price I don't think you should struggle to find a more capable boat, even if you don't want to go much larger.

Thank you very much for your reply and info.

Yes, I have completed the PB Level 2 course. I don't really want to be swapping it in a year or so and I don't want to be limited in being able to go outside of the harbour; which I intend on doing within a year! I will look for something with a deeper hull, slightly bigger and without the central wheel. Any recommendations on models, outboard size etc? Much appreciation!

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by maddesigns2001

Thank you very much for your reply and info.

Yes, I have completed the PB Level 2 course. I don't really want to be swapping it in a year or so and I don't want to be limited in being able to go outside of the harbour; which I intend on doing within a year! I will look for something with a deeper hull, slightly bigger and without the central wheel. Any recommendations on models, outboard size etc? Much appreciation!

Have you got any size restrictions for storage, launching, towing, etc.? Up to a point, the bigger the better when it comes to RIB's, and there's a massive difference in internal space, sea keeping, seating options, etc. between a decent 5.5-6.0m RIB vs. a decent 4.5m RIB. Also depends how old you would go, would you consider a refurbished boat, does it have to be a modern 4 stroke engine, etc.

If you want to stick to that sort of size range but with a deep v hull, common suggestions on here would include things like the Ribcraft 4.8, Avon Searider 4.7, XS 460/500, Humber Destroyer/Ocean Pro 500, Ribtec 455/535, etc. Most of those will only really allow for single inline jockey seats though. If you want to go for something with side by side seating, generally you'll need ~5.5m or larger.

[Limecc]

I can't say if it's a good buy or not and you don't state the price but they are great boats. For a few years we had an Ocean Runner 420, first with Merc 30, then Merc 40 and it was fun like an oversized jet ski having the jockey seat. Handled everything in the Solent well enough. Fairly flat bottomed so slammed in the rough but this was also the reason it was quite fast. Deep V hulls need more power.
Reason for sale (if any) was the constant effort needed to keep the tubes nice and the ease with which they could be scratched. No more so than any other RIB but we switched to a solid hulled boat which was altogether more roomy and capable.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Limecc

I can't say if it's a good buy or not and you don't state the price but they are great boats. For a few years we had an Ocean Runner 420, first with Merc 30, then Merc 40 and it was fun like an oversized jet ski having the jockey seat. Handled everything in the Solent well enough. Fairly flat bottomed so slammed in the rough but this was also the reason it was quite fast. Deep V hulls need more power.
Reason for sale (if any) was the constant effort needed to keep the tubes nice and the ease with which they could be scratched. No more so than any other RIB but we switched to a solid hulled boat which was altogether more roomy and capable.

I agree.

(Mod edited)

[maddesigns2001]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

Have you got any size restrictions for storage, launching, towing, etc.? Up to a point, the bigger the better when it comes to RIB's, and there's a massive difference in internal space, sea keeping, seating options, etc. between a decent 5.5-6.0m RIB vs. a decent 4.5m RIB. Also depends how old you would go, would you consider a refurbished boat, does it have to be a modern 4 stroke engine, etc.

If you want to stick to that sort of size range but with a deep v hull, common suggestions on here would include things like the Ribcraft 4.8, Avon Searider 4.7, XS 460/500, Humber Destroyer/Ocean Pro 500, Ribtec 455/535, etc. Most of those will only really allow for single inline jockey seats though. If you want to go for something with side by side seating, generally you'll need ~5.5m or larger.

Thank you very much! I am happy to go for an older RIB, so now need to consider all of the other points you have mentioned. So much to learn!

[maddesigns2001]

£10500 is the price plus VAT. Thank you for the info regarding your experience, very helpful. Being new to the boating world there is a lot to learn! So information shared is really appreciated!

[maddesigns2001]

Originally Posted by smallribber

I agree.

(Mod edited)

£10500 is the price plus VAT. Thank you for the info regarding your experience, very helpful. Being new to the boating world there is a lot to learn! So information shared is really appreciated!