Why a deep V?

[bernithebiker]

I have just sold our Capelli 5.70m with 100 Yam for a shade under 20 000 Euros (3 years old, 39 hours).

We need a smaller, more workmanlike boat, for a bit less money, and I'm looking at Ribcraft 4.8, etc. etc.

My question is that given that almost everyone here is a big fan of deep V's, and that there are loads of advantages of a deep V, why are there so many medium V's being built and sold, especially in France. What are the DIS advantages of a deep V that mean that some manufacturers don't make them? How does a medium V outperform a deep V? Price? Planing?

In France, deep V's are almost unobtainable. You see tonnes of Bombard, Valiant, Capelli, Zodiac, but almost zero Ribcraft, Humber, Osprey, etc. Given that these boats have such great reputations, why are they not selling shedloads of them on the continent? Sea conditions, at least in the Channel and Atlantic, are pretty much identical England/France.

[ajg74]

being out in Cardigan Bay last Sunday in the rather large swells in our deep V hulled rib, being launched 5-6 or more foot in the air every few mins with the boat not even breaking into a sweat and watching a Fletcher speed boat almost sink when trying the same, made me very thankful for that deep V!!!

[Nos4r2]

What's the price differential like?

The Dutch build a fair few deep Vs from memory, so is it just a French thing?

[SPR]

Bombard 5.5 DB is pretty deep V....

S.

[willk]

Originally Posted by ajg74

and watching a Fletcher speed boat almost sink when trying the same,

[ajg74]

I know, didnt have the camera with me and my phone was in one of the lockers in a plastic food bag, they where hand bailing it out for all they where worth, was one of the ones with the gap in the windscreen and an open front, they took on rather a lot of water when it went nose first off a rather large wave!! lol

[Screaming04]

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

For most of us, those "advantages" are more than offset by poorer performance in rough water.

[bernithebiker]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

For most of us, those "advantages" are more than offset by poorer performance in rough water.

Thankyou Screaming4! That's kind of what I had guessed.

So the only possible conclusion then is that the French are lightweight summer cruisers, whilst the British are hard core all-weather kind of chaps?

(There are one or two British ribs knocking around Brittany, and it would seem that the locals are somewhat in awe of them. They have a totally different concept. I have never once seen a jockey seat over here.....!)

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

....and they're more stable at rest, if we're comparing RIBs with toobs that are out of the water when off the plane.

[Ribtecer]

I have a Solent 5.4, my buddy has their 5.8 and we use them in the Solent in pretty much any weather. I am very impressed in all conditions.

Solents French agents; http://www.atlanticribs.com/

[willk]

Originally Posted by bernithebiker

So the only possible conclusion then is that the French are lightweight summer cruisers, whilst the British are hard core all-weather kind of chaps?

I think the French are certainly beginning to see the appeal of rough water ribs. Redbay have sold a couple over there - the most recent being the previous Corryvreckan - an 11 meter, £90k+ rib.

[Xcraft]

deep V from the Netherlands.
The X-Craft X8.0 Venom edition.

[Trolli]

Originally Posted by SPR

Bombard 5.5 DB is pretty deep V....

S.

Not really!

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Trolli

Not really!

Define Deep - V ..... My db 550 cuts the water nicely, very dry boat and been out in quite rough sees.... I would refer the others to have a hooked bow.

Regards

s.

[bernithebiker]

Originally Posted by SPR

Define Deep - V ..... My db 550 cuts the water nicely, very dry boat and been out in quite rough sees.... I would refer the others to have a hooked bow.

Regards

s.

I'm no expert on this, but it seems to me that whilst most ribs have a fairly deep, sharp bow, where they differ most is at the rear. My Capelli had a fairly flat V at the back whilst the pictures of Ribcraft etc. show them having a much deeper V at the back.

SO I reckon the place to look is at the rear of the hull. Flattish V = easier to plane, but choppier in the rough, and vice versa.

Ribcraft can't do me a 4.8 till August, so I'm just going to have to wait or find an alternative........could they not employ more people to build them quicker? We are in a recession after all........

[Poly]

Originally Posted by bernithebiker

Ribcraft can't do me a 4.8 till August, so I'm just going to have to wait or find an alternative........could they not employ more people to build them quicker? We are in a recession after all........

Factory space, Mould tool availability, etc. Not to mention that new people need training and supervising etc. Building a boat is multiple skills, GRP lamination, Tube Making, S/Steel work, electical etc.

3 months doesn't seem like a particulalry long wait to me, and I doubt they would want to hire people only to get rid of them in a few months time if the sales slump a bit.

[bernithebiker]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Factory space, Mould tool availability, etc. Not to mention that new people need training and supervising etc. Building a boat is multiple skills, GRP lamination, Tube Making, S/Steel work, electical etc.

3 months doesn't seem like a particulalry long wait to me, and I doubt they would want to hire people only to get rid of them in a few months time if the sales slump a bit.

That's all fair enough, but when the customer, keen to get on the water in June is presented with a selection of other boats in stock at dealers, the Ribcraft had better be alot better to justify waiting until the season is almost over. I'm just suprised they don't keep some stock ahead of the summer, of what must be one of their most popular sizes.

[chewy]

Originally Posted by bernithebiker

That's all fair enough, but when the customer, keen to get on the water in June is presented with a selection of other boats in stock at dealers, the Ribcraft had better be alot better to justify waiting until the season is almost over. I'm just suprised they don't keep some stock ahead of the summer, of what must be one of their most popular sizes.

How do you propose Ribcraft predict what colour you would want the boat in?
If your that desperate Humber usually have a few boats already built.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by bernithebiker

That's all fair enough, but when the customer, keen to get on the water in June is presented with a selection of other boats in stock at dealers, the Ribcraft had better be alot better to justify waiting until the season is almost over. I'm just suprised they don't keep some stock ahead of the summer, of what must be one of their most popular sizes.

theres a recession on and you want them to tie up cash in stock! Then as chewy says you'll come along and say "i'd like it just like that one but with yellow gel coat" or blue tubes, or grey wear patches, or a different console, or seat layout. If you want quick buy off the peg, if you want build you anything to your spec then go to a specialist and wait for it to be built. Oh, and probably don't try to buy it at the start of the season if your in a rush!

[GJ0KYZ]

I've been to the Ribcraft factory; they haven't got too much storage space available for stock. I waited three months for my boat but it was worth it. Archangel's lovely and I haven't had a single problem with her in two years.