RC 5.85, SR 5.4 or 6.0 Humber Destroyer..Discuss

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Having owned an SR 5.4 for decade in the past with an opti 90 and now have the Humber 6.3 OP with Opti 175 on i'm curious as to the others that fit in the middle really.

I know the OP 6.3 (with 2.34 beam) is a much bigger boat to the 6.0 Destroyer (most seem to be 2.28) beam. I've seen them next to each other on trailers when we bought ours.)

The SR just used to struggle going a long way out if there was any sea with a low bow etc. The OP is just fantastic, I'd go almost anywhere in it, I will bottle it before it's capabilities ..... but it's quite a beast and unless you have a 4x4 really to tow it places, it isn't going far other than on water!

Thinking ahead (two years???) for a good boat to tow and launch with a 320d (2011) tourer, what would be a good balance? Has anyone actually been in them to comment on their abilities?

An RC 585 has a renowned hull (if not front hatch build quality )and with a 115 opti on seems a great set up if you wanted to tow a lot. Is it enough though, or would the 6.0 Destroyer (with narrower beam than 2.34) be a better bet?

Got to admit, the below looks like a great boat for me/wife/two littluns on glorious days, Me and perhaps one littlun on a average day. Me and a mate for bad rough days. (For really rough days, I'd go on my own and have a play in the OP )

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/cold-but...tml#post393400

[willk]

If you're looking at the R/C, then give a moment to consider a you-know-what 6.1m

Ole Montgomery Swan liked them "Our trials at sea that day did reveal one other find though. I made the return journey back to Cushendall helming the 6 metre model in the Stormforce series. It was probably one of the most sure*footed craft of its size I can remember handling ....but that's another story, "

Of course, you have to ask yerself if he CAN remember the others

It would look well behind a Beemer in a nice custom design.

Once upon a time I used to dive out of one - a decent boat. I prefer the 650, mind.

[Markyboyo]

I can see how 6cm in the beam may make the OP feel a bigger inside than the Destroyer but I wouldn't have thought 3cm either side would make too much difference in terms of towing it on the trailer?

How about a 5.7m OP in the 2.34M beam rather than a 6.0m destroyer with the 2.28 beam?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

How do you find your 5.5 destroyer Markyboyo?

The thing with the OP we have is that the extra 6cm width and 0.9m length really does make a bigger boat. As i said, we saw the 6.3 x 2.34 parked next to the 6 x 2.28 and it was unbelievable. Plus the associated bigger engine 2.5L V6 instead of 1.5L 3 cyl and console and batteries etc it is just a much bigger/heavier rig to tow around.

I'm just trying to work out what combo somewhere between that and our old 5.4 SR would be.

The max hp on the SR was 90 and having seen the 5.85 with a 115 it just looked really appealing further down the line so was wondering how people find their boats of that size.

[Poly]

Have you ruled out the vipermax? I know the owners are a dodgy bunch but you could try to break the mould?

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Not ruled anything out. (Though you would be branded as one of them ) Just mulling over what boats between the 5.4 SR and our 6.3 OP would a good buy, so if one came up 2nd hand in a year or so I may be tempted. I'd certainly want a 2 stroke, either etec or opti probably.

SR's bow was too low and transom also too low, always shipped water over the stern sat at rest in a swell, or reversing. But was a great boat mind.

[Zagato]

Great thread Paul Very timely

Chris

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Have you ruled out the vipermax? I know the owners are a dodgy bunch but you could try to break the mould?

I thought they were good boats? That's a bit extreme isn't it?

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

....and now have the Humber 6.3 OP with Opti 175.

Easy. Stick with what you've got, I guarantee you'll regret going down in size and especially in power.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Easy. Stick with what you've got, I guarantee you'll regret going down in size and especially in power.

Possibly wise advice there. A cheap old 4x4 might be an easier way to solve the problem - even if it only got used for towing the boat. Personally I'm not convinced by the need a 4x4 argument for a boat that size for long distance towing. Most long distance stuff is on big open roads at 50-60mph. It the first/last 50m where a 4x4 might be useful, and its careful selection on launch location can help with that.

[mark_j]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

The max hp on the SR was 90 and having seen the 5.85 with a 115 it just looked really appealing further down the line so was wondering how people find their boats of that size.

I upgraded to mine from a 5m tohatsu, TBH its all the boat I will ever need, I tow it behind a family estate, it sips fuel, does 40knots and is superb in all weathers!

[Zagato]

SELL SELL SELL...........to ME as long as it's ORANGE

Agree with Polwart, you don't really need a 4X4 although handy on some slipways but most are OK

This guy trailer sails his mighty 22' Drifter, 1800KG all in with a Jaguar. http://www.drascombe.org.uk/

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Wouldn't be selling the OP!!!

Would be an addition to the family fleet if I got one. Other option is an SR4 for proper ease of travelling/launch, but never been in one.

No way I'm towing the op with a saloon! It feels big behind the old RR.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Have you ruled out the vipermax?

Too heavy for the OP's requirements and I would imagine quite sluggish with a 115.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Other option is an SR4

Now you're talking.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Now you're talking.

With the H OP as the extended family boat berthed in N Wales, perhaps an SR4 is the way forward for adventures, rather than the expense of the bigger boats. I reckon I'll have to try one out at some point.

Are they not toooo small though?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Too heavy for the OP's requirements and I would imagine quite sluggish with a 115.

Paul suggests he's looking at the RC5.85, and Destroyer 6m.

The Vipermax apparently has a weight of 385 kg
The ribcraft is 390 kg
and the Destroyer (6m) 415 kg

All three suggest a MAX of 150 HP engine...

[Mollers]

I've covered many sea miles running alongside both a Ribcraft 585 and a Vipermax 5.8. In my opinion, the Vipermax has the better sea-keeping. The RC 585 is nose light and becomes flighty in a bit of sea. No brand loyalty, just my view.

Also, DHD's 5.8 with a 150 Opti is proper quick. My 250 horses have to really stretch their legs to hold him off.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Sticking with Humber OP, I notice the 5.0-5.3 has a 2.0 beam and then the 5.0-5.5 has a 2.2 beam with higher sheer bow, (as does the Destroyer) plus the 5.5 will take a 115hp. hmmmm

The down sides of the old SR 5.4, low bow,low rear transom and only taking a 90hp are removed. Maybe that's my answer.

Polwart. 5.8 destroyer is 385kg (and takes a 130hp) 5.5 is 360 (whether OP or Destroyer). So i guess that's just whether you want chines or not. (Yes please)

Ah well, it's a way off yet. But i reckon 5.85 is a maximum. 6.0 too close to what we have.

Still want to see what the is in the SR4. There must be something.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Polwart

The Vipermax apparently has a weight of 385 kg
The ribcraft is 390 kg
and the Destroyer (6m) 415 kg

Weighbridges tend to be more honest than sales blurb.....