ribcraft 5.3

[58 North]

I have recently purchased a Ribcraft 5.3 with a Suzuki 70 … may even be this boat. Goes fine for me, WOT 34 knots with a full tank and 2 up. With 6 in not sure what the GPS said but was up and running ok.
Used mainly for sailboat coaching and a bit of safety cover. Will be at Weymouth for the test event in August so may see you there.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 58 North

Used mainly for sailboat coaching and a bit of safety cover. Will be at Weymouth for the test event in August so may see you there.

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Underpowered! Fine as a safety boat for a sailing club.

I rest my case

[lakelandterrier]

As others have said it depends on your use and performance needs.

I would think with 3 up plus diving kit a 70 would be underpowered.

I thought long & hard about having the Susi 90 or 100 on my Ribcraft 5.3. In the end I went for the 100 and am glad I did. It's the old addage of going for the largest engine you reasonably can, else you'll always be a bit dissatified and wish you'd gone that bit further.

However 2nd hand Ribcrafts are not that common, so if the hull / layout is what you want and you can live with the engine, then it may be a compormise worth making.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I thought long & hard about having the Susi 90 or 100 on my Ribcraft 5.3. In the end I went for the 100 and am glad I did. It's the old addage of going for the largest engine you reasonably can

We discussed 100 v 90 for our RC 5.3. In the end went for the 90 as it's a later design and - from memory - was 40kg lighter. We decided the extra 10hp wasn't worth the extra weight and fuel consumption. But, horses for courses...we're mostly only 3 up and no diving kit. Flat out we can make 41mph.

[lakelandterrier]

Originally Posted by Leapy

We discussed 100 v 90 for our RC 5.3. In the end went for the 90 as it's a later design and - from memory - was 40kg lighter. We decided the extra 10hp wasn't worth the extra weight and fuel consumption. But, horses for courses...we're mostly only 3 up and no diving kit. Flat out we can make 41mph.

I went the other way (in the end)- thinking the additional power would off set the weight and the extra HP means you can run with slightly lower revs thus helping fuel consumption (but I'm no engineer). I've got 36 knots out of her but haven't opened her right up yet.
Maybe we'll have to have a head to head!

LT

[Channel Ribs]

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Maybe we'll have to have a head to head!

LT

Nah. Only encourages the popcorn eaters

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Leapy

Nah. Only encourages the popcorn eaters

Aaaaaw, I was looking forward to a good RIB.net show down.

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Aaaaaw, I was looking forward to a good RIB.net show down.

Won't have long to wait. It's been 2 days since the Ribeye debate. Another will be along in minute :-)

[58 North]

Hi all just put my post on for a bit of information. I have found lots of good discussion on this site and found it interesting.
If I was using the boat for diving with a large crew it would not do the job … is that a surprise to anyone? Out at sea with a big wind and swell I find it hard to keep the boat in the water but it suits my needs. Already done many hundreds of miles at sea or on inland waters, and many many more on the road. The boat will be used for 100+ days a year so trying to keep costs down is important. I may not be as fast as some Ribs but I enjoy all my boating.

Cheers

ps Pikey, I also have a problem with jetskis

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by 58 North

but I enjoy all my boating

and at the end of the day, that's all that matters