Valiant 450

[Gerryc]

Hi all
Im new to this game.
Recently purchased a 2004 valiant 450 +50hp mercury 2 stroke. Both appear to be in very good condition.
Always my ambition to own a rib for cruising in shore. Anybody got any views on this boat and engine. Have gone out a couple of times but being very careful until I get used to the boat. Any ideas on fuel consumption and reliability of this package.

cheers

[willk]

Hi Gerry, welcome to RIBnet.

That should be a well matched combo. Two Stroke Mick in Castlebar runs a slightly bigger version and speaks well of it, but he's not Merc powered. Have a nosy round the forum and use the search facility. I'd guess about 0.6L/Nm if you don't plant her.

There's a lot of very useful information on here,

...and then there's mine

[Gerryc]

Originally Posted by willk

Hi Gerry, welcome to RIBnet.

That should be a well matched combo. Two Stroke Mick in Castlebar runs a slightly bigger version and speaks well of it, but he's not Merc powered. Have a nosy round the forum and use the search facility. I'd guess about 0.6L/Nm if you don't plant her.

There's a lot of very useful information on here,

...and then there's mine

Thanks Willk.

Tried it a few times in the last two weeks its going well. rises quiet high in the front before it planes, and can be a bit worrying at times.
Prob should put a bit of weight on fromt

Cheers

[two stroke mick]

Hi Gerry

Make sure your engine is well trimmed in. I also have a substantial amount of lead in the anchor locker .

[Gerryc]

Thanks for that Mick
What sort of weight (amount) are you talking about? How would a couple of sandbags work. Is trimming about trial and error before you get it right.

Cheers

[two stroke mick]

Keep the engine fully trimmed in untill you are on the plane. Then trim out the engine slowly untill the steering become light. If in a head sea keep the engine trimmed in. if in a following sea keep the engine trimmed out. I am of the opinion that these boats excel in a following sea

I have approx 35 kg of lead in the bow locker. the preasone for the lead is to give the boat more forward momentum when in a head sea not to keep the bow down when getting off the plane.

[Gerryc]

Thanks mick.
Because of our bad summer i didnt have a chance to try it yet. I have got bout 20kgs of lead ready to put into the bow storage space. Il play around with weight after that for the best result.
Trial and error I spose.

thanks

[Boats&Outboards]

Dole fins will help get it sitting more even too without adding the weight and it will make a saving on fuel too

Worth a consideration ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Dole fins will help get it sitting more even too without adding the weight and it will make a saving on fuel too

Worth a consideration ?

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Seconded ... I got them and it helped a huge amount on my 4m RIB with a 50 on the back.

[longjohn]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Seconded ... I got them and it helped a huge amount on my 4m RIB with a 50 on the back.

This made a huge positive difference to mine and with the added benefit of not having to drill the anti-cav plate.

StingRay Stealth | Stingray Hydrofoils by Marine Dynamics - The World's Best Hydrofoil Stabilizers

[Gerryc]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

Havnt gone into the water since. Is it a big job fitting doel fins.

Cheers

Gerryc

[Boats&Outboards]

Drill 4 holes and tighten 4 bolts. Or you can buy the "no drill" options if you've got money to burn!

Simples

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Devonmark35]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

Drill 4 holes and tighten 4 bolts. Or you can buy the "no drill" options if you've got money to burn!

Simples

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Or dont want to drill holes through your nice new engine!

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Devonmark35

Or dont want to drill holes through your nice new engine!

That's like saying you don't want to get the prop wet incase it gets damaged!!!

At the end of the day it's now almost 10 years old, if it's not working right for me I'd butcher it completely to get the best out of it. 4 8mm holes is not going to write the motor off is it!

If it was brand new I'd reconsider but if you give the option of paying £15/£20 or almost £100 to do the same thing I'm pretty sure most will take the first option


Up to you though

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Devonmark35]

No not really! Given some on here have posted in the past as to compromising structural strengths and witnessing cracks after drilling etc and getting a prop wet is a bit silly!

Fine its down to choice and agreed his engine may be old to you but its probably his pride and joy and he may (as others do) feel spending a bit extra on a no drill option is not "burning money"!

[Boats&Outboards]

Originally Posted by Devonmark35

No not really! Given some on here have posted in the past as to compromising structural strengths and witnessing cracks after drilling etc and getting a prop wet is a bit silly!

Fine its down to choice and agreed his engine may be old to you but its probably his pride and joy and he may (as others do) feel spending a bit extra on a no drill option is not "burning money"!

I don't think it's old by any means. I just made that point in reply to your suggestion he won't want to drill through a "new" motor. My point being it's the owners choice. Spend over-inflated, silly money for a no hole option or drill 4 holes... Either way makes no difference to the structural strength of the fins.

A properly fitted fin will not cause any issues on a 50hp. Maybe on a 100+ but that's not what they are designed for. Trim tabs are!!!

Anyway let's not get into a debate. He has the options and will make the right choice for him based on cost and appearance.

Let us know what you decide.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Devonmark35]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

I don't think it's old by any means. I just made that point in reply to your suggestion he won't want to drill through a "new" motor. My point being it's the owners choice. Spend over-inflated, silly money for a no hole option or drill 4 holes... Either way makes no difference to the structural strength of the fins.

A properly fitted fin will not cause any issues on a 50hp. Maybe on a 100+ but that's not what they are designed for. Trim tabs are!!!

Anyway let's not get into a debate. He has the options and will make the right choice for him based on cost and appearance.

Let us know what you decide.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

As the OP said he has just brought it and he is new to this world - so in that case its "new" to him - and as he asking questions at this stage about trying to cure a bow up attitude then telling him one option (no drill version) is "burning money" then saying its down to owners choice is rather steering him down one direction would you not agree - that being get a drill out and start drilling through his "new" motor (again new to him)!

Its not "burning money" if he decides not to put holes in his outboard at all. As you say though - "lets not get into a debate"

Let him decide fine - but he asked for ways around his high bow issue - the non drill option works just as well as the drill version but with no holes in the leg which helps if he decides its not for him or he sells it later on - not really "burning money"

[Courageous]

"Sells it later on" Simples also, 4 dobs of filler and a lick of paint - sell it on!