Ribcraft 585 vs Delta 5.5?

[diver 1]

I've found myself in the fortunate position that I currently own both the above boats. I hope to get them both out on the water soon and run them together. Both very capable and quick boats but which is fastest in a race. I plan to make up a simple figure of 8 loop in open sea between two marker bouys and see which is quickest around say 3 laps of the 'circuit'.

Delta 5.5 with a Suzuki DT100 V4 2 Stroke
Ribcraft 585 with a Suzuki DF140 4 Stroke.

My thoughts are the Ribcraft will be quickest in a long straight line race but the Delta will probably win on anything else. Both will be crewed the same, fuel weighting the same etc. Delta is a bit narrower beam and a touch shorter than the 585. I'd guess its a lighter boat but not sure exactly by how much.

Anyone else want to hazard a guess at which is quickest around the course?

[lakelandterrier]

Interesting experiment, but quickest around a course isn't solely how I'd judge the "better" boat.

Comfort on a run, seaworthyness, dryness, fuel economy and does it fufil what I want from a boat are higher priorities than pure speed round a course.

Let us know what the result is

[ShinyShoe]

Id also hazard that a 8 is a rather meaningless course.

If you can find something like the old RYA junior honda rib challenge course- slalom,. Stop, reverse 360, park on a box,pick up a buoy.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by diver 1

I've found myself in the fortunate position that I currently own both the above boats. I hope to get them both out on the water soon and run them together. Both very capable and quick boats but which is fastest in a race. I plan to make up a simple figure of 8 loop in open sea between two marker bouys and see which is quickest around say 3 laps of the 'circuit'.

Delta 5.5 with a Suzuki DT100 V4 2 Stroke
Ribcraft 585 with a Suzuki DF140 4 Stroke.

My thoughts are the Ribcraft will be quickest in a long straight line race but the Delta will probably win on anything else. Both will be crewed the same, fuel weighting the same etc. Delta is a bit narrower beam and a touch shorter than the 585. I'd guess its a lighter boat but not sure exactly by how much.

Anyone else want to hazard a guess at which is quickest around the course?

Get em on the Water in different conditions and report back....then you'll know

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Get em on the Water in different conditions and report back....then you'll know

Or if you prefer, give one to me and I’ll tell you and everyone else that the one you kept is 4knots faster, has a better ride, and hole shot. I don’t care which one you want to keep!

[Pikey Dave]

IMO, speed is the least important factor that I would base my decision on.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Poly

Or if you prefer, give one to me and I’ll tell you and everyone else that the one you kept is 4knots faster, has a better ride, and hole shot. I don’t care which one you want to keep!

.....Or like I said
Top end alone is way down the list for me...this Guy obviously needs some water time

[Orwell boy]

Personally i think once you have two boats for a while hopefully it becomes obvious why you have two boats ,otherwise its time to sell one ! ,personally i cant see speed would be an issue at all for me , i have one what i may call a rugged defender of the seas ,which i would either use on lonesome or taking "large Victoria" for a spin around the estuarys ,or my gin palace style whih can seat 7 or 8 quite happily will always come out for family cruises and entertaining the local parents and children
both ribs deal with their tasks hansomely ,easy to launch ,good sea keeping ,i suspect the smaller boat is easier to tow distance and launch ,however the 19 ft is easy enough and probhably wins most areas ,except the cred rating on here ! however i have never done any diving so sure thats another area of special needs ,but basically i think speed is the least of my concerns ,be interesting to read the outcome though !