Purchae of a Valiant DR 450 ???

two stroke mick · 05 December 2007, 16:54

I am considering purchasing a Valiant DR 450 for use with my Tiller steer 40 hp outboard. I was originally thinking of going down the SIB route but I believe that a SIB would be Too wet and bouncy for the family.

I am wondering if there is any one out there with a DR 450. If so how do they like it ?
Has any one a similar sized rig with a Tiller steer?
Does the Dr 450 give a confortable and dry ride?

The rib would be used for some diving and snorkling and beach work

simmons0 · 05 December 2007, 17:44

We had a v-490, was a good boat. Sold it after 3 years for the same as we paid for it.

Tim M · 05 December 2007, 18:42

This is one used for a while by the RNLI. I would image it would be fine with a tiller steer:

RAD · 05 December 2007, 18:53

We were going to go down this route. Got to the point we considered ordering until a search found Humber had an offer on at the time.

So I think a 4.5mtr with tiller still will be fine, as long as you have the muscle to pull the starter cord!!

two stroke mick · 05 December 2007, 20:39

Tim M have you any other photos of the DR450 by the RNLI

ian parkes · 06 December 2007, 01:19

The 490 was a very dry ride for its size . 450 tiller steer sounds like fun to me . The valiants are good value for money boats IMO , someone will probably slag off pvc tubes in a minute but they are fine , mine was 7 years old and the tubes were like new not even faded . If the RNLI are happy to use them then

two stroke mick · 06 December 2007, 08:43

Do you think that I would require a type of damper system for the tiller steer outboard (40hp)? If so are they standard or do they just fit the engines used on the Zap Cats

Tim M · 06 December 2007, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Tim M have you any other photos of the DR450 by the RNLI

Just one more. It was used about 4 years ago at the South Broads station in Norfolk as an alternative to using a d-class. They preferred the Valiant but it created more wash than the D-class I believe, hence they got rid of it.

two stroke mick · 06 December 2007, 12:26

Tim M

Why would the wash generated by the DR 450 be a problem for the RNLI. Thanks for the photos. I notice that they fitted a proper drainage trunk onto the boat..

Two stroke

Tim M · 06 December 2007, 12:31

This was the South Broads station, which serves the Broads - inland waterways consisting of large lakes with interconnecting rivers some of which are quite narrow. Wash is seen as a big issue on the Broads, more so than speed, as it causes bank erosion which results in silting up of the bottom. The Broads Authority invest millions every year in dredging the Broads trying to keep them clear, hence the RNLI wanted to find the most suitable craft for that location. They also tried one of those A class (it is A class isn't it??) that they normally use on beaches. In the end, as I said they went back to using a D class. They also have one of those tiny ones thats normally a tender to all weather boats, which they use in areas where there is hardly any depth. They normally keep that boat on the back of a truck, which can be driven anywhere in the broads and the boat launched in the event of an emergency. Pretty cool stuff

Poly · 07 December 2007, 01:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

someone will probably slag off pvc tubes in a minute but they are fine ,

I think that is because valiant use Polyurethane (PU) rather than poly vinyl chloride (pvc). generally considered much better (although some folks would still argue not as good as hypalon)

prairie tuber · 07 December 2007, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

I think that is because valiant use Polyurethane (PU) rather than poly vinyl chloride (pvc). generally considered much better (although some folks would still argue not as good as hypalon)

That looks to be correct with their DR series boats, according to their website. Seems like a pretty good boat.