Seating/Console layout

[John Hughes]

I have ordered a 6 metre Valiant DR600 with a 115hp 4 stroke merc.
I have to specify where to place the console, the side by side seats, (which drop down to allow a comfortable standing position) and I would ideally like to place the seat etc as far astern as possible to leave a clear area for sunbathing! (boat will be in the Med). However I don't want to be pointing at the sky when stationary. Any advice appreciated.
Also, any info about this engine, which I am told is a new model.

[Powerboat]

Hi John ,

The reason that many RIBs have their console positioned about one third from the bow is that this is also the pivot point of a craft when in displacement mode . Therefore , when in low speed displacement mode for close quarter manoeuvering ( i.e. a rescue scenario ) the Cox , seated bang on the pivot point , feels that they have the boat strapped on around them .

As the boat progresses to planing mode , the pivot point moves to mid ships .

In your case I would move the console back towards a point where your seat is midships . This will give you that nice in control feeling while at speed and will optimise your forward deck space for lounging.

If you go too far back then the boat feels weird to drive ( Imagine driving your car from the boot ! ). You can also suffer from a light wavy nose ( very dangerous in a following sea and disconcerting to drive ( like driving a front wheel drive car in the rain with bald front tyres ).

Are these the new bolster seats you are fitting ??? I have heard ( third hand ) good reports on these . It would be interesting to hear an opinion first hand from some one who has lived with them .You might let us know !

One other small matter which should not be a factor in your 6m craft. I am personally against side by side seating in RIBs under 6M as an uneven no of crew can unbalance a boat any smaller . Therefore the best seat layout is a double pillion ( one behind the other ) for the cox combined with any other layout you like . This arrangement allows the boat to be balanced with either an even or odd number aboard .

Can't help on this particular engine front ...but have a look at the detailed 4 stroke discussion we had recently elsewhere on this forum ,

Hope this is of some help !

Best wishes ,

Stuart www.powerboat.org

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www.powerboat.org

[John Kennett]

John

The most important thing is to keep the boat balanced.

You will see that race boats have the helm as far aft as possible to give a more comfortable ride and to help with the downwind trim. However, they need ballast tanks in the bow to make the boats usable in all conditions.

I don't know how heavy your engine is (the Mercury web site says that the 90 is the largest 4 stroke they make!), but it won't be light.

Although you would probably be best off having the console amidships, in the med sunbathing is likely to be a higher priority than extreme offshore capability so you would probably be OK with it a bit further back. Don't go mad though!

Valiant should be able to give you some guidance on this -- what do they say?

John



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John Kennett
RIBnet

[John Hughes]

Thanks for the advice. will advise when boat tested in Jan/Feb. Seats are a basic bench in a s/s frame, and each squab drops down to vertical plane by releasing a bracket manually, so that you are able to stand, and brace against the upholstered backrest.