My New Toy - Ocean 675

Razorbill RIBs · 15 May 2009, 14:27

Hi all,

have collected my new toy - pictures attached (on trailer for now). Thanks to all for your kind welcome to the forum, especially Nasher, Leapy and James (JS)..........

I spent yesterday trying to give it a quick clean (dodging showers).

It's an Ocean 675 circa '97, (2.6 metre beam) and was retubed by Henshaws about 3 years ago (only used a handful of times since). The chap i bought it from (second owner) was really helpful and as a retired engineer has been meticulous in his maintenance of the boat. It has a three battery split charging system and really tidy wiring etc (which sounded very clever and i'd be lying if i pretended to understand how it all works). It also has a 30 Gallon SS underfloor tank, should give a decent range between fills.

Unusually it also has fitted Bennet hydraulic Trim Tabs. I know that several people I spoke to when buying the Rib didn't think these were neccessary /useful. I can't see any detriment to having them and all i would say is that when adjusted (in conjunction with trim) they made a difference of 4 knots on the GPS - The boat was showing 36 knots GPS with 4 (big) adults up. Not bad for a 7 metre rib with only a Yamaha 90!

I may look to upgrade the engine at some point (thinking 135 /150 Optimax?), but the Yamaha is fine for now and there is never a shortage of people /friends who can work on the Yamaha here (I am on an Atlantic 75 crew which has 75Hp Autolubes). On that note does anyone have any (Rough) idea of the era from the decals - I thought 99 /2000?? Doesn't really matter, it is very clean /well serviced and runs very well!

Have taken the screen off to be signwritten and have a few 'holes' in the dash to fill where there was a radio and speakers (not really my thing). May also replace the dive rack with a SS one (I think I may have seen one on the for sale forum a while ago?).

Am hoping to meet with the surveyor next week to draw up a 'to do' to list for the coding........lots of additional kit required. Will also be swapping the VHF for DSC, so will be hoping to sell the old one if it is of any use to anyone......will post up details in next couple of weeks. If anyone reading has any suitable second hand kit that they would like to sell (DSC, radar Refelector - Echomax type preferred, liferaft, good Handheld etc), please drop me a PM.....

Any hoo, as you can probably tell, am really pleased and excited!

Dan

Leapy · 15 May 2009, 14:53

Dan...very exciting times! Glad you managed to find a weather/time opportunity to have an early 'fettle'!

I've emailed you stuff we talked about in PM's...

Nasher · 15 May 2009, 15:03

Looking Good Dan

Welcome to the Ocean Club.

Nasher.

Jono Garton · 15 May 2009, 18:22

Hi Dan

Looks good, please you took the advice! A Bargain at £2500

Jono

Razorbill RIBs · 15 May 2009, 19:15

I thought so.........

D :-)

Tim M · 15 May 2009, 19:53

Bargain

Needs more power though!

codprawn · 15 May 2009, 20:12

An excellent buy - you can use all the money you saved towards fuel now!!!

JSP · 18 May 2009, 12:31

£2500?
No way! Ok so maybe a 90 is a bit small for the size of hull but at that price you could afford to pay some ilegal immigrants to paddle!

chewy · 18 May 2009, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

£2500?
No way! Ok so maybe a 90 is a bit small for the size of hull but at that price you could afford to pay some ilegal immigrants to paddle!

I thought that was just a North East thing, I don't let em on my boat just on the ferry boat. Saves me rowing it.

Thats a nice RIB.
The RNLI have some 75hp Yams coming up for grabs today. Least you'd be able to get spare parts for em.....

Razorbill RIBs · 18 May 2009, 14:42

Hi guys.....

whilst I did have a great buy with the Rib, it wasn't £2,500, that was just Jono having fun!

Chewy - I had thought about trying to pair up the 90 with another, but am told it's not a good idea to pair up engines which haven't always run together, suppose it makes sense........

One of the requirements that coding has thrown up is the need for an alternative means of steering (not practical to carry a spare cable), so i was going to see if I could get a bracket fabricated for the engine, like that we have on the Atlantic for steering with the paddle.....has anyone else come across this requirement and how have you got around it?

Thanks,

Dan

Jono Garton · 18 May 2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Worth

One of the requirements that coding has thrown up is the need for an alternative means of steering

A paddle

C2 RIBS · 18 May 2009, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Worth

Hi guys.....

One of the requirements that coding has thrown up is the need for an alternative means of steering (not practical to carry a spare cable), so i was going to see if I could get a bracket fabricated for the engine, like that we have on the Atlantic for steering with the paddle.....has anyone else come across this requirement and how have you got around it?

Thanks,

Dan

Yes coding insisted an alternative steering. I had this attachment made (middle front of engine below cowling catch) and then a stainless bar attaches to it and is held by pin, Works on 250 but would not like to use it for too long

Jono Garton · 18 May 2009, 17:01

hi ian

so have you got a free flow valve on your hydraulics?

our surveyor is fine with a paddle.

Jono

C2 RIBS · 18 May 2009, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono Garton

hi ian

so have you got a free flow valve on your hydraulics?

our surveyor is fine with a paddle.

Jono

Hi No I believe standard fit for Yam with hydraulics, but if it fails I have the ability to attach a tiller to the engine , the main issue would be the prop torque if revs were up, but the system works and would hopefully allow me to hold a course or get out of danger whilst awaiting other support.
Again it highlights the difference of each surveyor and their opinions of the rules. I like what I have as it will be easier to fit and hold then a paddle and also you would need to tie the engine in a "straight on position" I think?

Razorbill RIBs · 18 May 2009, 18:27

Thanks C2........

I have now spoken to a local fabricator who is going to make me up a bracket along similar lines.........

It would have been really useful to have a paddle like that which we use on the Atlantic (which can be seperated to use as a tiller), but the RNLI are currently recalling spare paddles to stores as they no longer have a manufacturer for them (I tried to find out who made them so i could purchase one direct).....

Will now be getting a tiller made up at the same time, to be fixed to the A frame.

Dan

chewy · 18 May 2009, 18:40

Its only the paddles that have the red mark on that you could use as a tiller though?

Jono Garton · 18 May 2009, 18:44

Hi Ian

I was more thinking to dissconect the hydraulics to use the tiller?

I dont think theres any easy answer.

Jono

Razorbill RIBs · 18 May 2009, 20:49

Chewy - yeah, you should see what happens to the ali ones when they get used in error!

Tim M · 18 May 2009, 23:27

If your in a situation where you have to use it in anger, chances are cutting the hoses wouldn't be too much of an issue.

Minimerc · 23 May 2009, 16:52

HI Dan,
Just got myself a Ocean 675 same as yours with no engine, have ordered a 115 optimax and was worried about not being enough but if you get that with a 90 it should be good

Nice boat, a good bit cleaner than mine!!