6.3m parker hull seakeeping abilities

[wildwords]

Hi all,

Having tested a few larger 7.4/7.5m diesel ribs we have decided that they are too large for our needs and for towing etc.

we are now down to approx. 6.5m hull and are thinking about the 1.7 mercrusier diesel engine as its for slow cruising and survey work. There is allot of talk about Parker's on the website here but its hard to tell who actually has a Parker? and what the engine is like regards reliability ( Vs four stroke outboard)

I was wondering if anyone has direct experience of the hull on the 6.3m and its sea keeping/ stability abilities? it looks to be a medium v as opposed to a deep V shape, would I be right in that?

we don't need speed but do need stability at low speeds and stopped,

other hulls we have looked at are the
6.5m redbay
6.5m ribcraft
6.3 humber

any informed opinions would be most welcome

[willk]

Originally Posted by wildwords

There is allot of talk about Parker's on the website here but...

... while there's much talk, there's been relatively little actually SAID about them. André's mungo demo rib got huge admiration/sold after the RibNet Jaunt. I've seen almost nothing about smaller Parkers in the last two years. I wouldn't take that as a bad sign - I just think it's odd. I actually considered asking the open question "Why?", but considered it inflammatory so didn't (no straight face smilie available, sry). They certainly LOOK like fine boats.

If you want a run out in a 6.5 Redbay, PM me, I'm out around the Swilly every few weeks. You could "chalk in" the inboard space and see what you think .

[Andre]

Hi Guys

Interesting that you would bring up our 630 and you are from Ireland . well we have more 630s in Ireland then in the UK of course not as many as there are Redbays. I do not know the exact locations of these ribs as they have probably changed hands etc

I have had 3 demo models all diesel the 1.7 TDI . superb partnership and very good for long distance cruising. I took the first one to St Malo and later to Cherbourg.

our 630 has now been extended to 650. the fuel tank now has a capacity of 150 ltrs and we have already fitted the very latest QSD 2.0 (170HP) with Bravo 1 leg. This model has thru the hull cooling. Forget the 1.7 TDI the engine now for a 650 size rib is for sure the Cummins QSD 2.0 170HP with Bravo 1 leg

The Parker 630/650 is for sure a very good sea boat with great capabilities and a winner in her class

The orange rib in the photo is now in our showroom awaitng the spring. This rib was purchased by Mazurian WOPR (inland water rescue. The console is positioned forward to give max deck space. These guys have a lot of our ribs including several 750 and 900 cabin models. The mazurian lake district is massive. the other photo are of the QSD 2.0 170 HP engine and then two showing our Chris doing what he likes best off the baltic coast. The engine is the 1.7 TDI (120HP)
the all black Parker 630 has a Verado 150 and takes 8 persons. The photo was taken in Gdynia Marina . Just beyond that rib you can see our Arrow which had twin Verado 300


If you want long distance cruising and the hours and economy then go diesel say the QSD 2.0 150HP which has the Alpha 1 leg

Is somebody trying to tell me that my next demo rib should be a 650 with the QSD 2.0 (170HP)?

[wildwords]

Thanks willk

but we already had a look at the redbays and unfortunately
with them if you want four pod seats and a sterndrive we would need to go to 7.4m because of the design of the redbay engine bay and they only use yamahas which are wuite a bit bigger than the 1.7 mercruiser.

its a dilemma

need a diesel - economy, plus we dont need speed - 30 max and also needs to be able to tick over at 6-8 knots for long periods.


need reliability - remote areas - and islands
need good range - fuel storage

I wonder about second hand diesels and how much abuse thay have had?

need good sea keeping - to be working off north west and west coast of Ireland
need space for good amount of kit - large film cameras, kit, boxes etc.
need the stern box for look out position for survey
need to trailer - we use a 4x4 but am reluctant to tow for hours with a heftey weight of a 7.4m redbay loaded with gear on narrow roads etc.

There is a very good condition second hand 6.3m Parker available here in Ireland and one okay Cond. in Scotland but it looks a little cramped with the four separate pods and also I just would like to know if anyone could attest to their ability in the rough.

strictly no offence intended Andre

[Chris]

Originally Posted by wildwords

need good sea keeping - to be working off north west and west coast of Ireland
need space for good amount of kit - large film cameras, kit, boxes etc.
need the stern box for look out position for survey
need to trailer - we use a 4x4 but am reluctant to tow for hours with a heftey weight of a 7.4m redbay loaded with gear on narrow roads etc.

There is a very good condition second hand 6.3m Parker available here in Ireland and one okay Cond. in Scotland but it looks a little cramped with the four separate pods and also I just would like to know if anyone could attest to their ability in the rough.

strictly no offence intended Andre

Why are you stuck on diesels, any modern 4 stroke outboard or DI 2 stroke are very efficient at low speeds and you will have much more space on the boat for all that kit.

Also most modern outboards are virtually silent at low RPM and have little to no vibration unlike the oil burners.

[John Kennett]

Wildwords, I've driven one of Andre's 630s through some fairly challenging conditions and was pretty impressed. It works OK with a 1.7 but is definitely underpowered, and that wouldn't be my choice of engine though. You'll notice it most when you're caught out in a bit of heavy weather.

Andre's suggestion of a 650 with 170hp sounds like a
much better proposition (and would probably be a much more effective demonstrator!).

[Andre]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Wildwords, I've driven one of Andre's 630s through some fairly challenging conditions and was pretty impressed. It works OK with a 1.7 but is definitely underpowered, and that wouldn't be my choice of engine though. You'll notice it most when you're caught out in a bit of heavy weather.

Andre's suggestion of a 650 with 170hp sounds like a
much better proposition (and would probably be a much more effective demonstrator!).

Hi John, I forgot about that run around Selsy Bill when you were at the helm. That was my third demo 630 known as Seahawk III

[Andre]

Originally Posted by wildwords

There is a very good condition second hand 6.3m Parker available here in Ireland and one okay Cond. in Scotland but it looks a little cramped with the four separate pods and also I just would like to know if anyone could attest to their ability in the rough.

strictly no offence intended Andre

None taken

there are two Parker 6.3 diesels with four single jockey seats in Ireland. What is the colour of the one which is up for sale. Both were suppplied to the UK at the same time and both ended up in Ireland

[Leaderscharter]

Originally Posted by wildwords

Thanks willk

but we already had a look at the redbays and unfortunately
with them if you want four pod seats and a sterndrive we would need to go to 7.4m because of the design of the redbay engine bay and they only use yamahas which are wuite a bit bigger than the 1.7 mercruiser.

its a dilemma

need a diesel - economy, plus we dont need speed - 30 max and also needs to be able to tick over at 6-8 knots for long periods.


need reliability - remote areas - and islands
need good range - fuel storage

I wonder about second hand diesels and how much abuse thay have had?

need good sea keeping - to be working off north west and west coast of Ireland
need space for good amount of kit - large film cameras, kit, boxes etc.
need the stern box for look out position for survey
need to trailer - we use a 4x4 but am reluctant to tow for hours with a heftey weight of a 7.4m redbay loaded with gear on narrow roads etc.

There is a very good condition second hand 6.3m Parker available here in Ireland and one okay Cond. in Scotland but it looks a little cramped with the four separate pods and also I just would like to know if anyone could attest to their ability in the rough.

strictly no offence intended Andre

Niall and Gail McCallister from West Cork sailing had one up until recently and might be worth getting in touch with.

[tsunami]

We at Excalibur Ribs in Cork, Ireland also build a 6.5m diesel Rib.

It comes with either the 120hp Mercruiser Diesel or the Cummins Diesel engine.

Customers have been very pleased with both the performance and economy of the 1.7L 120hp Mercruiser. It will give approx 35 knots flat out and we do this with a 4 seater console configuration as well as the option of a bench seat across the top of the engine bay.

Here's a few photos of the 6.5m Diesel.