New user... First question....

K&S · 22 August 2007, 21:10

Hi to all of you, I have been a spectator on this site for some time and have learned a lot.

Myself and the family are the proud owners of a Hardy Pilot 20 which we keep on the Clyde. We have owned this for 2 seasons and loved every minuet.
Our reason for wanting to move to a rib is because with limited holiday and free time available we need something to get us to our destination a little quicker. This summer we traveled from Holy loch to Oban which took the best part of two weeks to achieve.

We are looking at the XS 600 or 650 we are undecided on which boat and with what engine. I have no real preference to engine except that it must be 4 stroke.

The boat should be '' good fun" with good speed for days out waterskiing etc but also capable of longer cruising at reduced throttle (ideally we would like to cross to Ireland at some point but will leave that for a thread in the future.) We are a family of two adults and three kids (12 >16).

I would love to hear your advice.

Many thanks,

Kim & Susan

codprawn · 22 August 2007, 21:29

WHY must it be a 4 stroke?

K&S · 22 August 2007, 21:37

My only real reason is the noise and convienience of pure petrol. I have used 2 stroke allbeit 10 years go and i know the technology is better now. our Hardy was supplied with a Johnson vro which was good, if a little smelly and loud but we replaced it with a Mercury 4 stroke and dont think i could go back.

MikeCC · 22 August 2007, 21:43

Kim and Susan,

What Codders actually means is "a hearty welcome to RIBnet and I'm sure there will be lots of people willing to offer sensible advice and assistance"

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

WHY must it be a 4 stroke?

Possibly also because they are looking at longer cruising at slower speeds?

You'll find lots of discussion about the relative merits of various hull/seating/engine combinations, but i'm sure some opinions will be along soon.

Mike

Sarah G · 22 August 2007, 21:44

Gotta say from a non-techy point of view that if the right boat comes along - don't turn it down because it has a 2-stroke. We have a Tohatsu 140 two stroke. You don't need to pre-mix as it has a separate chamber for the oil. I was worried that it would be noisy but I haven't really noticed a problem and she goes like a rocket.

codprawn · 22 August 2007, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeCC

Kim and Susan,

What Codders actually means is "a hearty welcome to RIBnet and I'm sure there will be lots of people willing to offer sensible advice and assistance"

Possibly also because they are looking at longer cruising at slower speeds?

You'll find lots of discussion about the relative merits of various hull/seating/engine combinations, but i'm sure some opinions will be along soon.

Mike

I would have but he said he's been lurking for a while so he should be used to me!!!

Love the Hardy Pilot - nice solid go anywhere job.

i have to be honest 4 strokes are a LOT quieter at low speeds - on the Hrdy Pilot they are ideal but I will bet you will find the throttle setting on the RIB will usually be the wrong side of 1/2!!!

K&S · 22 August 2007, 22:32

We have enjoyed the luxury or a roof above our heads, cooking and sleeping facilities and the 1l per knt fuel economy.
We have pretty much explored everywhere we can with the time available to us so we feel the need for speeed.... and a beter set of waterproofs.

Does the extra few inches in length make a vast difference in sea keeping. Both lengths are rated cat C but would the extra length be usefull

We are considering suzuki 150 / 175 any thoughts?

Rogue Wave · 22 August 2007, 23:48

HI,

Despite everything I#ve told my ladies over the years yep size does make a difference if you can accomadate the 6.5 then do it.

We use an xs 5.5 with a 4 stroke Merc 100 for training on and Its fine albeit a little arse heavy but quite frugal

There is a guy in our yard who has an XS 650 boat is a good un its got a Suzi 140 and he loves it, dark blue toobs and orange GRP looks great, surprisingly. it is called excess

I think however you shoul seriously consider an Opti or Etec 150 the performance will be stunning and both engines are as economic as 4 strokes but boy can they turn it on when they want to. Whe you are buying a new engine the warranty period has to be a big part of your decision. Mercs have 3 years how long do the Suzi#s have.

I really do think hardy#s are fine boats BTW

IBWET · 22 August 2007, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

We have enjoyed the luxury or a roof above our heads, cooking and sleeping facilities and the 1l per knt fuel economy.
We have pretty much explored everywhere we can with the time available to us so we feel the need for speeed.... and a beter set of waterproofs.

Does the extra few inches in length make a vast difference in sea keeping. Both lengths are rated cat C but would the extra length be usefull

We are considering suzuki 150 / 175 any thoughts?

Welcome to the forum,

I have a Ribcraft 5.85 with a DF150,the engine is like a modern car engine, it dosen't cross your mind that it won't start...good engine.

We followed a rib from Rothesay over to the cumbrae (it was an 8 mtr) out of the bay our boat was a lot quicker (we were waiting for him), as soon as the wave height increased we couldn't maintain the pace and he just disappered.

It makes a big difference.

Jon Brooks · 23 August 2007, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

HI,
Mercs have 3 years how long do the Suzi#s have.

3 Years on the Suzi's

K&S · 23 August 2007, 08:46

hi, many thanks for the quick replies.

we do love our Hardy and im considering keeping it but suspect when we get a new rib it might feel a bit neglected.

I hear what people say about two strokes
But surely an equally matched 4stroke is equally capable of shifting the boat allong when it finally builds the revs up?
Would they not be better when the boat is heavily laden?
Are they not more economical over longer periods?

Does the choice in the end not boil down to personal prefrence when the stats are so closely matched as people are saying? or am i missing something?

just asking the questions but my mind is set on 4 stroke.... unless i can be convinced otherwise

As for the boat... i suspect the size in the end will be 6.5m
just not sure of which lump to stick on the back end

suz 150 should push the boat along with all people and gear in - would there be any power spare?

or

suz 175 - its heavier but is the weight justified for the extra push?
will there be a little bit extra power for fun days out etc?

thanks again
Kim

IBWET · 23 August 2007, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

hi, many thanks for the quick replies.

we do love our Hardy and im considering keeping it but suspect when we get a new rib it might feel a bit neglected.

I hear what people say about two strokes
But surely an equally matched 4stroke is equally capable of shifting the boat allong when it finally builds the revs up?
Would they not be better when the boat is heavily laden?
Are they not more economical over longer periods?

Does the choice in the end not boil down to personal prefrence when the stats are so closely matched as people are saying? or am i missing something?

just asking the questions but my mind is set on 4 stroke.... unless i can be convinced otherwise

As for the boat... i suspect the size in the end will be 6.5m
just not sure of which lump to stick on the back end

suz 150 should push the boat along with all people and gear in - would there be any power spare?

or

suz 175 - its heavier but is the weight justified for the extra push?
will there be a little bit extra power for fun days out etc?

thanks again
Kim

The 150 and 175 both weigh the same,put the 175 on. My Rib manufacturer wouldn't put the 175 on as the max for 5.85 hull is 150 (they thought I was a nutta)..

K&S · 23 August 2007, 14:40

hi, your dead right suz df 175 is same weight my mistake.
The xs 650 is rated for 200hp max weight 360kg so well within limit but will i be under powered with all the family and the spare kit that brings for extended cruising?

i'm pretty much convinced but an expensive mistake if i get the set up wrong or leave myself underpowered.

K&S · 23 August 2007, 14:42

Q for Ibwet what sort of speed & econ are you getting with the 175?

IBWET · 23 August 2007, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

Q for Ibwet what sort of speed & econ are you getting with the 175?

I've got the 150.

Around the 0.75 ltr per Nm

46knots.3 blade 25"x14 3/4

Playing around with a 4 blade hydromotive prop at the mo,beautifully finished prop with PSV vents etc ...did 42knots ..It's my fault as I asked them to take into account the weight of the 150, so the prop is a stern lifting prop.

I've only tried it once, I trimmed out the same amount as the original prop resulting in the bow ploughing at over 40 knots (the steering was a bit like herding cats).

they have suggested trimming out further which is the plan for tomorrow. Presently, sick as sea going parrot

Downhilldai · 23 August 2007, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

.....The xs 650 is rated for 200hp max weight 360kg ....

Why not go for a Soozook 200?: V6 3.6 litres

,263kg, so well within weight limit, loads of grunt......

Have you checked prices? (buying prices, not RRP) As they get bigger, the price differential tends to narrow.
As a guide, Soozook's 2007 RRPs are:
DF140TX: £9149
DF150TX: £9699
DF175TX: £10499
DF200TX: £10999
Take these with a pinch of salt though, as nobody pays RRP - well, nobody needs to, unless they're a salesman's dream.
The biggest joke of that lot is the 150/175 differential, for basically the same motor

DF200 looks the best value to me, for a hull rated to 200hp

codprawn · 23 August 2007, 21:59

Good point - and a 200 would need less throttle than the others for cruising!!!

1up · 23 August 2007, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

hi, your dead right suz df 175 is same weight my mistake.
The xs 650 is rated for 200hp max weight 360kg so well within limit but will i be under powered with all the family and the spare kit that brings for extended cruising?

i'm pretty much convinced but an expensive mistake if i get the set up wrong or leave myself underpowered.

in that case put a 200 on it defo
i'd go for a merc 200 optimax good fuel consumption good speed too

Rogue Wave · 23 August 2007, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

3 Years on the Suzi's

Cool

K&S · 24 August 2007, 11:48

Hi, I have spoken to her that must be obeyed and in principal she is in agreement that extra for the 200hp could be found - where she finds the money I’d love to know.
In terms of economy how much more would you expect the 200hp to burn?
A difficult question to answer specifically but rough estimations would be very helpful.

Have received quote for the boat and delivery is estimated October.... as you can probably imagine I is getting excited