Ideal engine for 4.8m

paul325i · 09 July 2008, 12:13

Hey guys,

We're looking to purchase a 2008 4.8m rib, it's currently fitted with a 50hp 4 stroke.

Is this going to be powerful enough? Or should we be looking more at 75hp+?

Thanks,

Paul

matt h · 09 July 2008, 12:37

you need to ask the manufacturer the maximum weight the transom will take, even if you find an engine that matches that weight, it may ride stern heavy, SO an engine that falls under the weight is best!!
what rib is it??

reinier · 09 July 2008, 13:44

All depends on the boat and what you want to do with it. I suggest using at least 75hp if you want to travel with heavy load or rough water. If you only drive it without much in the boat you could go with just 60hp.

Nos4r2 · 09 July 2008, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul325i

Hey guys,

We're looking to purchase a 2008 4.8m rib, it's currently fitted with a 50hp 4 stroke.

Is this going to be powerful enough? Or should we be looking more at 75hp+?

Thanks,

Paul

Go for the manufacturers recommended max HP in the lightest engine you can find-it'll ride better. DONT go past the manufacturers recommendations-your insurance company will shaft you if you have an accident and you may ruin the handling. Worst is, you won't know if you've ruined the handling til you've paid for it...

Pete7 · 09 July 2008, 15:26

Agree with Matt, 75 hp is likely to be OTT. If it already has a 50 hp outboard then try that first, ideally taking it for a good trial.

The round GB lads had some good fun with small ribs and 50 hp outboards.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BEwevf...eature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4ml7tI...eature=related

Pete

Channel Ribs · 09 July 2008, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Agree with Matt, 75 hp is likely to be OTT. If it already has a 50 hp outboard then try that first, ideally taking it for a good trial.

The round GB lads had some good fun with small ribs and 50 hp outboads.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BEwevf...eature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4ml7tI...eature=related

Pete

Crikey! That is good advice, am I in the wrong site?

Pete7 · 09 July 2008, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

am I in the wrong site?

nope, but Matt is right why spend money on an engine change when it probably has an ideal sized engine.

Pete

paul325i · 09 July 2008, 20:04

The RIB we were looking at is made by lamberti, i've read up on them a little and they don't seem to be much cop, made in hong kong with no real UK dealer base and max rated at 50hp...

I'm also looking at a valiant 490 with 75hp, i think this might be the better option, unless anybody has any advice against buying a valiant?

We're replacing a 4m Chinook, i posted re locked engine a few weeks back. We dismantled the block last night and it's melted the nylon oil pump drive, starved the crank bearings, broken up several of the valve casing bolts and distributed them amongst no 3 and 4 pistons.

We'll either sell the Chinook as it is, as it's in excellent condition otherwise, or source a cheap used engine for it to sell as a complete boat again.

4.8 ish size is really what we want, much more room onboard.

matt h · 09 July 2008, 21:52

er here we go again!!! Nos would you like to recommend a 4.8??? Jace, got anything like a Ribcraft 4.8 hanging around???

Nos4r2 · 09 July 2008, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul325i

I'm also looking at a valiant 490 with 75hp, i think this might be the better option, unless anybody has any advice against buying a valiant?

I've never owned a Valiant but Ian Parkes was out with us in his old 490 last year off Looe when the weather started to blow up a bit and it did look to be doing rather well. We were easily holding 20-25 knots in quite a choppy sea. I was quite impressed by the performance with 3 people and a load of kit aboard too.

Course, I'd buy a 4.7 Searider, but that's just me

ian parkes · 10 July 2008, 19:28

paul my valiant had a suzuki 70 4t on the back which was fine as its rated up to 80hp . I always felt a lighter 75 2 stroke may have suited it better but at the expense of much more fuel,unless you can find one with an etec
6k ish should get you a really tidy valiant about 2001-2 , they are fine for family fun use and mine had no problems at that age ,
the ribcraft or searider are certainly better quality and probably better sea boats but lots more money and the ribcrafts usually have a 50
What about the smaller humbers ?

paul325i · 02 August 2008, 11:30

Well we've decided to go for the 4.8m Ribcraft.

Just deciding on extras and colour then we'll place an order monday.

The setup we're going for is the double FS jockey to take 2 fuel tanks, using our new Suzuki 50 4str.

Does anybody have any recommendations on what extras to go for?