Osprey with twin outboards

TimMcC · 31 May 2007, 15:24

Hi All

I know there are a lot of Osprey and ex-Osprey owners out there . Finally sold my Avon Searider 4.0 and am looking for something in and around 5.3 to 5.5m
Saw a Osprey 5.5m with twin Honda 45hp . Do you think that this rig would be under powered with the 45’s ? . The whole set up is around 15 years old , am I looking at trouble regarding the outboard and the tubes at this age ?. I don’t know what sort of life they have had but it wasn’t used commercially . Haven’t seen it yet just looking for opinions before/if I view .

Thanks

Tims Osprey · 31 May 2007, 23:25

I have an osprey viper 5.25 with twin 60 mariner 2 strokes, the formula for working out the power of the combined 2 engines is add the two together and take away around 25% from the total so 45x2= 90 - 25%=68. Around 70 hp is enough for the boat but you might find it wanting when loaded up with 3 or 4 divers and kit.

Tims Osprey · 31 May 2007, 23:44

Forgot to mention about the tubes etc, if the boat has been looked after i.e stored under cover and washed down often then the tubes should still be fine but only viewing can tell this, ospreys are very well made craft so a 15 year old boat should still be serviceable at worst, but again only viewing will tell, as for sea keeping look no further

.

TimMcC · 01 June 2007, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tims Osprey

I have an osprey viper 5.25 with twin 60 mariner 2 strokes, the formula for working out the power of the combined 2 engines is add the two together and take away around 25% from the total so 45x2= 90 - 25%=68. Around 70 hp is enough for the boat but you might find it wanting when loaded up with 3 or 4 divers and kit.

Thanks Tim

Sounds like it could be a bit underpowered at 68hp . Might still go and have a look . Its over the other side of the country so its not going to be this weekend .

Tim

Nos4r2 · 01 June 2007, 09:31

Well... What you could sell a pair of 60's for would buy you a 115 Yam and give you change

Viper · 01 June 2007, 17:26

I have a Viper 525 with twin mariner 40, 2 stroke. which we brought new in the early 90’s

Ok it will never break any speed records, but will easily cruise at 20-25 Knts with a top speed of just under 30.

We use the boat for cruising and diving, but do not notice any discernable difference when loaded. Besides I have found with 4-6 divers on board, a cruising speed of 20-25 is all that is really needed.

Our Viper is nearing 15yrs old although you would never know by looking at it.

Although you saty the rib is 5.5m so although it may not be a viper, the Manufacturers data at the time (Northern Diver / Offshore Components) listed the maximum two engine arrangement for a 525 as twin 50’s – so if it is a viper the 60’s may be an issue.

Nos4r2 · 01 June 2007, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper

Although you saty the rib is 5.5m so although it may not be a viper, the Manufacturers data at the time (Northern Diver / Offshore Components) listed the maximum two engine arrangement for a 525 as twin 50’s – so if it is a viper the 60’s may be an issue.

Shouldn't be-the 60 2 strokes from that era are the same basic engine as the 50 and weigh the same.

Tims Osprey · 01 June 2007, 22:56

Get um on there thats what i say, the 60's on the back of my boat work a dream with the massive beam on the viper going slightly over the manufactures recommended max for twin installation does no harm at all, there no heavier than the average 50 and still fall short of the max power recommendations after deducting 25%, so whats the problem?

Downhilldai · 02 June 2007, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMcC

Hi All

....Saw a Osprey 5.5m with twin Honda 45hp .....

So, when did these Honda 45s become 60hp?

Rogue Wave · 02 June 2007, 22:25

when did Honda 45 become a 45 hp engine? arent those babies measured at the crank

Chris · 02 June 2007, 22:35

TimMcC, unless you really want a twin setup, I know where there is a Suzuki 115HP EFI (year 2000) with 100 Hours on for less than £2k.

Chris

Pete7 · 03 June 2007, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris1573

TimMcC, unless you really want a twin setup, I know where there is a Suzuki 115HP EFI (year 2000) with 100 Hours on for less than £2k. Chris

Problem is the transom will be set up for twin installation with central elefants trunk. Could be converted and high transom cut down but alot of work.

Worth taking the boat for a good sea trial to see if its what you want and are happy with the speed, 35 mph? Is the boat blue? Osprey had a 5.25 Viper demonstrator in 1993 with twin 45s. Someone lost a honda 45 engine in the 93 Solent rib race that year. Thoughts at the time were that the engine was sound as a single engine installation, but double it up on a rib and give it a good pounding in a race and the sadles aren't strong enough to take it. However if you don't drive like you stole it and its a good price it could be a nice little rib.

Pete

TimMcC · 05 June 2007, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris1573

TimMcC, unless you really want a twin setup, I know where there is a Suzuki 115HP EFI (year 2000) with 100 Hours on for less than £2k.

Chris

Thanks Chris

But If I buy I think I will be the complete package . By the time I get all the seperates together the season would be over .

Regards

Tim

TimMcC · 05 June 2007, 13:25

Thanks for all your replies . I have looked some more on the web over the weekend at UK based ribs and have seen a couple of others that appear to be better value ( newer with outboards up and around 75-85 hp ) . I think it would be worth a trip over to have a look . The Osprey while an excellent rib by all accounts didn't look as good as these ones in the UK and with 15 year old outboards I think I will give it a miss . No doubt I will be back with more questions as soon as I have a short list .

Reagrds

Tim

nikster · 06 June 2007, 16:03

When Mike armitage first set up Osprey boats i was one of the test team :-) The Viper 5.25 with twin 45's is fine for 2/3 divers - the ride is excellent -

Some may remember me racing the Offshore 8 mtr with twin 200's tweaked - i cant remember what year i won the round solent in it but i do remember the race quite vividly -Alan Priddy had a great photo of me nearly vertical off of nab tower - then shortly afterwards having to stop to drop my girlfriend off on a safety boat cos i winded her badly.

It was the race where jelly turned his boat over - then contested me winning cos i didnt stop..... they both waved and gave us the thumbs up - so i carried on and let the safety boat sort it out....

Those were the days..... come on Alan lets bring it back..
:-)

Oh and Jon broke the transom last night night on Phanton off the coast of Ireland tying to break the round britain.... doh!!!.. cromptons were never built for anything more than 1 trip.... ooh wash my mouth.. :-)

Pete7 · 09 July 2008, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikster

When Mike armitage first set up Osprey boats i was one of the test team :-) The Viper 5.25 with twin 45's is fine for 2/3 divers - the ride is excellent -

Some may remember me racing the Offshore 8 mtr with twin 200's tweaked - i cant remember what year i won the round solent in it but i do remember the race quite vividly -Alan Priddy had a great photo of me nearly vertical off of nab tower - then shortly afterwards having to stop to drop my girlfriend off on a safety boat cos i winded her badly.

It was the race where jelly turned his boat over - then contested me winning cos i didnt stop..... they both waved and gave us the thumbs up - so i carried on and let the safety boat sort it out....

Those were the days..... come on Alan lets bring it back.. :-)

The 93 race was held in the spring out of Hamble Point, only I don't remember a 8.2m Falcon being present. The 91 Round Scotland boat was sold about this time to the late Tommy Cecil from Rathlin and the other 8.2m Falcon belonged to Dave Charrington a M/Benz dealer whose brother got caught bringing in little clear shinney stones from Holland, using the rib.

I do however remember someone turning up with a Viper fitted with twin honda 45s and trying to sell more of them and set himself up as a Southern Sales rep for Opsrey. He was ex AAC (door gunner). Unfortunately a lack of the 5Ps and a belief that 4 strokes don't use much fuel meant he didn't fill the fuel tank up and promptly ran out of fuel twards the end of the race. Boat was blue GRP and tubes from memory. Since you seem to have some knowledge about flying was this you?

Other boats from Opsrey were a stetched and widened 7m sea harrier built by Mike and Ralph. Unfortuately Mike Armatage wasn't aware of the boat and it was subsequently broken up over royalites/names etc. Red in colour and fitted with twin 70 Evinrudes to make the max of the twin engine allowance in class B at the time.

The 94 race was held out of Northney Marina Hayling. Bogi was crewing with Paul Lemmer and by chance has a photo with me in the back ground

. I don't remember an 8m Falcon taking part though. The RM turned up with a big rib and 2 x 200hp, BWM red and black from memory.

The 95 race saw Osprey enter the 26ft Lynx sponsored by Gib Sea Fishing, white with red letters and driven by Mike Armatage and Peter Hendreck from the Sea Cadets.

Pete

Foggy · 20 July 2008, 19:50

I have just restored an Osprey 8.2 Falcon - I put twin 225 EFI's on it - need to change the props but very pleased with performance and handling. I will put some photos on soon. The boat was called 'Blue Falcon' does anyone know any history ?