Power 5.85

Chopppywaters · 12 July 2005, 04:34

Hey im going to customize my RIBCRAFT 5.85 this weekend and there are 4 power options i can choose from but i need help deciding! Keep in mind all these engines are Honda: 75, 90, 115, 135 (all 4 stroke) or twin 50 4 strokes. I want the RIB to go relativley fast at WOT but i am worried that the 135 will be too heavy and make it hard to handle the boat. Any suggestions? THanks!

LURCHER · 12 July 2005, 06:48

I had a Ribcraft 5.85 with a 115 2 stroke on it and it could have done with more power ideally a 150 woulkd have been perfect . No experience of four stroke so cant help there but my feeling is go for the biggest you can get!!!

robin · 12 July 2005, 07:24

Mine has a Suzuki 140 4 stroke. (same as the Johnson 140 4 stroke)
Cruises all day at 30 plus knots.
43 knots at WOT (just under 50 mph)......there's probably a tad more if i faff with the prop size but I really can't be arsed.

My suggestion for what it's worth is get the most powerful engine with the best power to weight ratio your boat and you can handle and afford...to buy and run. It would be a real pain to find it under-powered so soon after getting it.

On that basis alone...take a look at the Suzuki and Honda specs re weight
The Suzuki 140 is 410 lbs
The Honda 135 is 485 lbs

75 lbs heavier and 5 fewer horses

Food for thought anyhoo.

Robin

John Kennett · 12 July 2005, 08:03

A 585 goes fine with a 90hp, but a bit more would probably give you a bigger grin!

Are you really restricted to those engine options? They wouldn't be my choice as they are heavy and a bit gutless. There has been a lot of negative feedback about the balance and performance iof the Camel Trophy boats which were 6ish metres with the Honda 130.

As Robin said the Suzuki/Johnson 4-strokes seem to be doing well, and the Yamaha 115 4-stroke has had a lot of good comments. The Suzuki DF140 weighs just 25lb more than the Honda 90 and 95lb less than the Honda 115/135!

If you really are stuck with the Hondas then I would probably go for the 90 as you'll end up with a better handling boat. If you go bigger than that then you may as well go for the 135 as it weighs no more than the 115 (but is 120lb heavier than the 90!).

John

Chopppywaters · 12 July 2005, 20:06

hmm well the boat company says they can pre rig the boat but that means i would have to find a Suzuki or Yamaha dealer to put a outboard on the back of the RIB and that would cost more than the Honda im assuming. Ill ask them tomorrow since im going to test drive the boat

jools · 12 July 2005, 21:23

Hi Choppy
As I said on a previous post - Panther had a 90hp Mercury 4-stroke

I would agree with John - In most conditions this was ample for the boat - and crew. Normaly we would cruise about 20-25 knots and this would be a comfortable speed in "normal" chop.

On a flat calm day - then yes - WOT of about 35 knots and you wished you had a little more, but thats probably the same for any engine/boat.

Before we finaly speced ours we had a test run in some demo boats - has your dealer got any simular boats you could run about in? - Our demo was in a 5.5m with 75hp 2 stroke - again seemed to have plenty of power for the boat - but I wanted a 4-stroke.

The Suzuki 115's also seem popular over here - and are increadably quite at tickover - its a job to tell its running!!

Cheers
Jools

Chopppywaters · 13 July 2005, 02:15

Tomorrow at 3 im going to test drive a 5.85 RIBCRAFT...have no clue on the power options or anything but ill post about it in the Ribbing category after!.

jools · 14 July 2005, 22:17

how did you get on?

Chopppywaters · 15 July 2005, 02:26

get on wut?

Turbodiesel · 15 July 2005, 20:01

Our 5.85m at work has a 115hp Mariner 4 stroke that will go flat out at about 37knts with two people. But if i was buying one i would have a 135 Optimax. For just that little bit extra.

CJL · 18 July 2005, 15:22

I've got a RIBTEC 585 with a 135 Optimax on and it goes some! With one person, all kit and fuel I get 46kt trimed right out.

The RAFSA have Ribcraft 585s with Merc 135 EFIs and they are pretty quick too. Fuel economy is not that bad on the OPTI if they'll let you have that combination.

Chris

Chopppywaters · 25 August 2005, 12:02

I was wondering if I did get the Honda 115 on the back of my RIBCRAFT 5.85 and it was to heavy couldnt i just put some dead weight in the bow and it would even out? Or is this not a very smart idea heh

Swifty · 25 August 2005, 18:22

Just for the record Kent Scouts have a 5.85 with twin Honda 50's.
Verdict:
Love the engine sound when throttling up. Copes with pretty much anything but is very arse heavy. Accelleration is not brilliant and peaks out at 33Kn 1 up full tank fuel and all the usual accessories. 6 up peaks at about 22Kn. Nice boat but it is slightly underpowered. Doesn't plane until engines reach 3000 RPM but tows like a tug.

Tim'mers.