New Scorpion Launched

howe · 29 March 2008, 17:03

After what seems like a long wait given that we ordered it in September, we took delivery of our new 8.5 metre Scorpion yesterday. Weather couldn't have been worse, but boat seems fine and we are now spending some time getting to know the boat and running the engine in - a Mercury 300XS. We are doing the Round Britain Race in June so the expensive Ullman seats might be necessary! Our site for the race is www.rib-racers.com

Gavin

Roy Smith · 29 March 2008, 21:40

cant see the pic,s

Richard B · 29 March 2008, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

Weather couldn't have been worse

Ideal conditions for delivery of a new Scorpion!

Good luck with the preparations. I assume the Revolution propeller is a Mercury prop?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

cant see the pic,s

Neither can I, but 'cos you're a mate I've cut the one from Gavin's blog... wouldn't do it for anyone!

Here it is:

howe · 30 March 2008, 23:07

Sorry about the lack of pix. Thanks for the Blog paste. Yes, the propeller is a Revolution from Mercury which the Scorpion team seem to like. We are running it quite high with a 20 inch shaft on a cut down transom. As the engine loosens we may go for a coarser pitch. Gavin

codprawn · 31 March 2008, 02:38

i would be very interested to know what sort of speeds and fuel consumption you are getting with that setup.

howe · 02 April 2008, 00:29

Still only 8 hours on the engine so its too soon to judge. We are using a 19 inch Revolution 4 propeller at the moment which has given us a peak reading on System View of 53.7 knots. We will go coarser when the engine loosens up.
I haven't looked at the fuel yet but previous posts for this engine suggest 92 lph at WOT.

More than a year ago there was a Dutch owner on this forum who had this engine on a Revenger 29 and I think did 107 kph with a Mirage propeller. His boat had a low console but I would expect to be in the same ballpark...

Gavin

howe · 03 April 2008, 18:28

For those who have asked about pix of the boat, we have just loaded some in the second photo gallery on www.rib-racers.com Sorry it took a while!

Gavin

Roy Smith · 03 April 2008, 22:45

your scorpion looks fantastic
i,am jealous.
sports consul really adds to the look
are the tubes black on white ?

howe · 04 April 2008, 19:53

Roy, thanks for the comment. I think it looks pretty good too but then I am biased.....The tubes are black underneath and artic grey on top. Would have liked white but were worried about it getting marked and the grey is very light. Scorpion do the floors in grey so it sort of matches. We plan to add two more Ullman seats after the race.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

codprawn · 04 April 2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

Still only 8 hours on the engine so its too soon to judge. We are using a 19 inch Revolution 4 propeller at the moment which has given us a peak reading on System View of 53.7 knots. We will go coarser when the engine loosens up.
I haven't looked at the fuel yet but previous posts for this engine suggest 92 lph at WOT.

More than a year ago there was a Dutch owner on this forum who had this engine on a Revenger 29 and I think did 107 kph with a Mirage propeller. His boat had a low console but I would expect to be in the same ballpark...

Gavin

Thanks for that - what leg are you using?

I see that you didn't go for a stepped hull? Any particular reasons???

howe · 06 April 2008, 18:58

We are using a 20 in leg and Sport Master bottom unit with a 1.62:1 drive. We decided against going for a stepped hull for two reasons: ride and fuel tank capacity. Although there is meant to be a circa 5% speed gain from the step, I felt that a smooth ride might be more important for the Round Britain Race and we also have a 450 litre tank under the floor which I think would have been harder to do with the lower volume stepped hull. I did go for a ride in Graham Jelley's stepped hull 8.5 though and it was very impressive.

Gavin

rib-racers.com

John G · 07 April 2008, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

We are using a 20 in leg and Sport Master bottom unit with a 1.62:1 drive. We decided against going for a stepped hull for two reasons: ride and fuel tank capacity. Although there is meant to be a circa 5% speed gain from the step, I felt that a smooth ride might be more important for the Round Britain Race and we also have a 450 litre tank under the floor which I think would have been harder to do with the lower volume stepped hull. I did go for a ride in Graham Jelley's stepped hull 8.5 though and it was very impressive.

Gavin

rib-racers.com

Is the stepped hull a harder ride?

I thought it was the same hull with steps added via a plant in the original mould?

Rogue Wave · 07 April 2008, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

After what seems like a long wait given that we ordered it in September, we took delivery of our new 8.5 metre Scorpion yesterday. [/url]

As Dolly Parton said ' if you want the Rainbow you gotta put up with a little rain'

good luck they are one of the better boats so make sure you beat some hardboats in the race

howe · 07 April 2008, 02:28

John, you are right (I think) on how they made the moulds to incorporate the changes made by Lorne Campbell. As for the ride I have to rely on the people who have much more knowledge than me such as Graham Jelley at Scorpion who has a great deal experience with both types.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

scm · 07 April 2008, 11:07

We have the other stepped hull 8.5 with twin 175's (for sale by the way!). You have, IMHO, got the best set up for the race as a stepped hull is not something you would want to go round on.

The best way i find of describing the hull in compression to the normal hull is "flighty". The step's do make a big difference but you have to be much more on the ball driving it compared to the normal hull. Which given how long the race will be is not a good idea.

Has your new type console got the electric motor to open/close it?

Regards
Stuart

howe · 07 April 2008, 16:09

Stuart, thanks for your feedback on the stepped hull. My feeling so far is about how steady the 8.5 seems when compared with my 7.5.
Graham said he wasn't happy with the way the motor worked on his hatch so we went with the manual approach which is fine. It saved me £80 and weighs less. We are now having a leash fitted so if someone doesn't do the catch up properly it shouldn't cause too much damage.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

Cookee · 08 April 2008, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

Stuart, thanks for your feedback on the stepped hull. My feeling so far is about how steady the 8.5 seems when compared with my 7.5.
Graham said he wasn't happy with the way the motor worked on his hatch so we went with the manual approach which is fine. It saved me £80 and weighs less. We are now having a leash fitted so if someone doesn't do the catch up properly it shouldn't cause too much damage.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

Let me know if you're down this way with the boat - love to see it!

howe · 08 April 2008, 10:18

Cookee, assuming half reasonable weather we will be having a run from the Solent to Plymouth on Saturday lunchtime this weekend. We will return on Sunday morning. Would be good to meet up if you are around on either Saturday pm or Sunday morning in Salcombe.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

Cookee · 09 April 2008, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by howe

Cookee, assuming half reasonable weather we will be having a run from the Solent to Plymouth on Saturday lunchtime this weekend. We will return on Sunday morning. Would be good to meet up if you are around on either Saturday pm or Sunday morning in Salcombe.

Gavin

www.rib-racers.com

PM sent with contact details - not sure why I bothered as it's all on the website!

gtflash · 10 April 2008, 15:00

do ribs not have to be closed bow for rb?!?