Narwhal 520

[martin33100]

Hi, what are Narwhal 5.2m ribs like?, and do they use pvc or hypalon? and on another note any other recomendations for a £4000 rib would be great

[Downhilldai]

That would date from the early-mid '90s. Probably a bit tired by now, unless it's been really well looked after. They're not renown for build quality and have pvc toobs, so take a good look around it, if you're interested in buying. Moulded GRP decks were prone to cracking and I think the lay-up was generally on the light side.
We had a Narwhal dealer down here in the early '90s and I went out for a spin on a couple of them. Went really well with 50hp, although they were rated to 80hp.

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

That would date from the early-mid '90s. Probably a bit tired by now, unless it's been really well looked after. They're not renown for build quality and have pvc toobs, so take a good look around it, if you're interested in buying. Moulded GRP decks were prone to cracking and I think the lay-up was generally on the light side.
We had a Narwhal dealer down here in the early '90s and I went out for a spin on a couple of them. Went really well with 50hp, although they were rated to 80hp.

I have now decided to go for something like an Avon, Ribtec,Humber etc.

[Pablo]

There are loads of them around here. The build quality performance in bad seas is nothing compared to a Humber. I have a 5.3 Humber Assault which gets quite a bit of criticism on here for its sea handling but you need the Narwhal 5.8 to get any where near it in a bad sea !

For 4k you can find Humbers and Avon Seariders. In France British made ribs have a great reputation and when I compare them to Zodiacs and the likes you can see why

[Willbrooksy]

I have a 1998 ish model with a 3-Cylinder 75hp Mariner and its amazing !

40knts+
great fuel economy (can ski+wakeboard all day and only use £80ish)
Amazing grip in tight bends
Light and nimble both on and off water
Can accelerate at bottom of a wave and be air born off the top
Sits really nicely in the water at rest and at speed
Well built.... Its gone through same rough water as delta's, ribtec's and humbers and come out in better condition with crew in better mood !

but...

Our GRP is yellowish
Its very uncomfortable for long journey's (however our layout isnt ideal)
my tubes popped last season
spares are hard to come by!

Overall depends what your after, we use ours for trips upto a mile or 2 from our safe haven, fishing, skiing, sailing club rescue and general crashing around etc.

[martin33100]

Originally Posted by Willbrooksy

I have a 1998 ish model with a 3-Cylinder 75hp Mariner and its amazing !

40knts+
great fuel economy (can ski+wakeboard all day and only use £80ish)
Amazing grip in tight bends
Light and nimble both on and off water
Can accelerate at bottom of a wave and be air born off the top
Sits really nicely in the water at rest and at speed
Well built.... Its gone through same rough water as delta's, ribtec's and humbers and come out in better condition with crew in better mood !

but...

Our GRP is yellowish
Its very uncomfortable for long journey's (however our layout isnt ideal)
my tubes popped last season
spares are hard to come by!

Overall depends what your after, we use ours for trips upto a mile or 2 from our safe haven, fishing, skiing, sailing club rescue and general crashing around etc.

A guy down the road has a Narwhal for sale and one of his tubes popped the week I was going to look at the boat