Sinkin Feeling - Page 2

Cypman · 19 September 2008, 21:52

Hi
My 6.3m Ocean Pro had the standard transom with a Suzuki DF140 hung on it, never gave me any problems.

BogMonster · 19 September 2008, 22:13

Mine (Destroyer, 150kg 2 stroke on) only takes water over the stern if you are going astern too fast under power, or at an exposed pontoon where it is very choppy and the sea is coming at it from the stern (I used to keep it in the water at a pontoon where in a NE'ly wind the sea was on the stern and it would get quite bouncy) but after finding it 1/2 full of water one day I turned it around on the pontoon and despite bouncing quite a bit on the pontoon it never had any water coming in over the transom. I don't know how far the transom is above the water at rest but I would say 6-8" possibly more.

Having 60L of fuel in cans in the bow makes mine sit better too!

alystra · 20 September 2008, 12:01

There's something not right somewhere. Destroyer 5.3, 90 Merc 4 str., so a lighter boat and heavier engine than yours. Even when the boat is full of rain water the transom is a couple of inches above the sea and if it's rough the rain water sloshes out rather than the sea coming in. How do I know? I've been aboard in such conditions and watched it.

The boat is kept on a mooring. I anchor all the time. I sleep aboard across the aft bench seat. There's loads of gear aft of the bench seat. I've never had water coming into the boat when at anchor. I don't think Humber offered a raised transom when I bought the boat, so it's a standard one.

From memory and at a guess, the tubes extend aft of the transom by about 18 ins.

As Stephen said, going astern in any sea needs the bilge pump working.

Don't know about the fuel tank. I have a 90 litre tank fixed in the console, which was standard fitting in 2000.

Stoo · 20 September 2008, 12:44

I know it has been suggested before, but are you CERTAIN that the hull isn't full of water? I can't imagine a company like Humber building a boat that doesn't float!!! It's not tlike this is a bit of custom work. Stock boat. Stock engine. It should float...

Alex Brown · 20 September 2008, 17:28

I really struggle to get any water over the transom - since the transom is angled out quite a bit, when waves hit it, they tend to bounce away from the boat rather than over and in unless there's a strong breeze. That's the first bit, but also the second is that the transom is quite high (it goes above the tubes either side of the engine) and the Suzi 140 is also the XL version which was recommended and installed by Humber when I bought the rib from new.

-Alex

Pete7 · 20 September 2008, 17:37

Tiffy, you did put the bung in the transom didn't you ?

Pete

wavelength · 20 September 2008, 22:03

Our original ocean pro 5.5 is low at the back with a merc 90 fourstroke. The transom level is around halfway up the tubes. It can take water over the back in various situations and at anchor, and I would be wary of leaving it in an exposed berth in a marina. Longshaft motor.
Our later ocean pro and the destroyer have the transom level virtually at the top of the tubes and never take water over the top, even when launching in our own particular way as required here. XL shaft 90hp four stroke motors.
That little yellow humber is I take it an assault? The tubes on an assault project a long way aft, much further than the other models, and it is a completely different animal, needing the tubes to be pumped hard to maintain the ride qualities, such as they are!!!

Tiffy · 28 September 2008, 05:31

Many thanks to all you Ribbers from Ribnet. We have now resolved the
problem by getting Yamaha Dealer Bucklers Hard Marine to supply a
Extra Long Shaft 110 , and to build up the transom . However I am
concerned at the extra cost involved. The general opinion is the Humber
does not have sufficient buoyancy from the rear tubes protrusion as seen
on other ribs at the Southampton Boat Show , and not helped by Humber telling
us they design them that way to give " better Rib Handling ".

The rib was a special order and built to special hull and tube colours . So
was not just a stock hull of the shelf. They knew it was going to be
a Rescue Rib , and would be subject to rough weather ; but I would not
have expected even with a long shaft that it would be so low in the water at rest. Their suggestion of a second battery and bilge pump was not very
practical when gallons of water are slopping over the stern.

I would have thought with all their years of Rib building experience they
would have suggested we should have had a extra long shaft transom , and
knowing we planned to fit a lower power 80 HP , Yamaha which do not make
a Extra Long Shaft . They would have advised us at the time of the order.

We found the same lack of thought in their underfloor fuel tank. The filler
was low down in the bow. The main depth of the tank was to the stern.
So when level afloat you could not fill the tank full up. That if you filled
it when at a angle on the trailer ashore , and then opened it afloat
petrol gushed out in your face. We had to fit a new filling point in the
stern, and seal the front filler with a warning " Do not Open "

It is a pity they fall down on the ergonomics , as their basic hull design
gives a soft dry ride , and their tubes are of a very highest standard.

The new 4 meter also had problem , the bow hatch is too small to
get a decent size anchor , and too flimsy , and already split. We also
had to fit Avon Row locks. Without which there would have been no
means of secondary propulsion if the engine failed. However the
stern tubes come further aft , and although only a 20 Hp Engine in
scale we have no problem with water slopping over the transom at
rest.

Stoo · 28 September 2008, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffy

However I am concerned at the extra cost involved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffy

The general opinion is the Humber does not have sufficient buoyancy from the rear tubes protrusion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffy

Their suggestion of a second battery and bilge pump was not very practical when gallons of water are slopping over the stern.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffy

So when level afloat you could not fill the tank full up. That if you filled it when at a angle on the trailer ashore , and then opened it afloat petrol gushed out in your face.

So what you're saying is that other than the fact that the boat doesn't actually float; that their advice suggests that they were aware in advance that the boat wasn't going to float; and that in another of their boats, there is a very significant fueling issue which could easily lead to an explosive fire situation, they make terrific boats???

Tiffy, you are much more a gentleman than me! I'd be raising hell with them and demanding that they replace the boat!

I suppose on the upside, if they combine the best features of these two boats, the seawater flooding in should keep the explosion risk to a minimum! Now there's forward thinking!

Downhilldai · 28 September 2008, 20:21

Sounds to me that the below deck fuel tank is too far aft and weighing down the back of the boat. I'd send the whole outfit back to Humber and ask them to sort it out or refund your money.

I still fail to understand how a fuel filler at the front will cause the tank contents to spill out if the main volume of the tank is aft and the back of the boat sits so low in the water.

chewy · 28 September 2008, 20:35

Think we could do with some photos really.

ribpilot · 30 September 2008, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Think we could do with some photos really.

I agree some photos would be a great help.I would not have been messed around like that and would have taken the rib back.Sounds like a MAJOR design fault.

Bigmuz7 · 30 September 2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I still fail to understand how a fuel filler at the front will cause the tank contents to spill out if the main volume of the tank is aft and the back of the boat sits so low in the water.

Yup that had me baffled too

alystra · 01 October 2008, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Yup that had me baffled too

Me too. In fact this whole moan is baffling me. I don't think we have enough information and there's more to this than meets the eye.

I don't see many 'Mine too' posts. Given the number of Humbers there are on here and in the world, I would have thought there would be. Be interesting to find out what's really going on.

Julian · 02 October 2008, 09:36

I would drive it straight back to Humber and suggest they build a boat that floats without having to rebuild the transom and replace the engine etc.

Totaly unacceptable situation, phone a lawyer and get them on the case.

Ribomaniatic · 03 October 2008, 22:23

BOUYANCY BAGS!!!!

D rings on the back of the transom, and when at Anchor secure tightly a nice large bouyancy bag. This has duel purpose, to lift the transom that precious few inches, and to give the waves something to break over.

Genius I know.

Bouyancy bags are £24.99 in Yachtmail, Lymington.

Downhilldai · 03 October 2008, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by alystra

I don't see many 'Mine too' posts. Given the number of Humbers there are on here and in the world, I would have thought there would be. ...

Humber rarely fit below deck fuel tanks, preferring to install them inside the console. This explains the 'uniqueness' of this boat in its balance problems, most probably due to a large volume fuel tank towards the stern.