New engine....or a new boat?

[Mugshot]

A little hyperthetical at the moment although I'd like to think I may be able to do one or the other early in the new year, this is my dilemma.
I'm considering putting a new engine on the Tornado. The rib is about 10 years old but is in superb condition having been very well looked after by its previous owners and I've tried to do the same.
The engine is about the same age and although it's running like a swiss watch I'd rather something newer, bigger and with better fuel economy.
The question is, rather than replacing the engine, would it be better to sell the Tornado as a complete package and invest the money from that plus the money which the engine would have cost into something a bit bigger all round and nearly new?
I'm estimating that if I replaced the lot I'd have about 10-11k to splurge.

[simmons0]

Have you been out on a bigger rib?
I think if the opportunity was there to upgrade to a larger boat it'd be a no brainer for me. The difference just from a 5m to a 6m is enormous.

[Mugshot]

Originally Posted by simmons0

Have you been out on a bigger rib?
I think if the opportunity was there to upgrade to a larger boat it'd be a no brainer for me. The difference just from a 5m to a 6m is enormous.

Several times, mate of mine has a 6m with 115hp on the back, difference is very noticable as you say. Have been let loose on a 9m with a 300hp diesel inboard too, don't think my budget would stretch to that though!

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by simmons0

Have you been out on a bigger rib?
I think if the opportunity was there to upgrade to a larger boat it'd be a no brainer for me. The difference just from a 5m to a 6m is enormous.

Yep it is 1000mm
It really is up to you do you want a bigger boat, or are you happy with what you have? Or do you just want more HP as you could end you with more HP & better fuel economy!
A bigger boat is more expensive to run & more hassle to launch & recover!

[Mugshot]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Yep it is 1000mm
It really is up to you do you want a bigger boat, or are you happy with what you have? Or do you just want more HP as you could end you with more HP & better fuel economy!
A bigger boat is more expensive to run & more hassle to launch & recover!

I'm very happy with what I have, but I think I'd be very happy if I had something like my buddies as mentioned above.
The problems you mentioned with regard to the bigger boat are spot on, my friend is a little envious of the associated benefits of my smaller boat, as I am of the benefits of his larger vessel.
I guess it comes down the basic economics of it, is it worth putting a brand new engine on to an older rib, or would it be better to get rid while I'll still get a reasonable amount then use the pot to get a newer package?

[walruz]

It seems to me the base question is what and how do you intend to use it. If you are generally a fair weather bgoater then I would go for just a bigger engine. If you want to be able to handle bigger seas then it's change the boat and engine.

Just IMHO of course.

Ian

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

A bigger boat is more expensive to run & more hassle to launch & recover!

Very much worth bearing in mind. Goes from being an easy one man launch and retrieve to a two man job. Means you have to rely on others if you trailer sail.

I now find that I can't even move my trailer on my own if its not straight in a parking slot. Damn thing ways 100s of KG !

[Nick Hearne]

Yep having gone from a sub 6m rib to my present boat which is over 2.5 tons on the trailer I can no longer launch & recover with such ease as I did with the old boat!

[Chris]

Nick I am about to do exactly what you are saying.

I have a 10yr old Osprey Viper 5.25 with a 90 on the back. Both are in excellent condition.

I love this boat to bits but have always felt it could easily handle the max rated 120HP.

Having spent a lot of time getting this boat exactly as I wanted I think I am going to stick with it for a little longer.

Ultimately at the moment its probably worth 8000 and I have found a really good deal on an ex demo 115HP engine for 5k. I am fairly confident that I could then sell the boat if I chose next year for at least 12000 so If I decided I needed to get a bigger boat then I could do. I also suspect that I would find the Osprey easier to sell with a new engine hanging off the back.

Finally I would still have a tidy 90HP engine to sell on ebay and looking at what others have fetched I reckon I could get at least a thousand for it.

[ribfan]

I went from a 12 year old but, great shape, 18 ft ARC with a 90 hp Mariner to a 6.5 Ribcraft the a 150 Honda. I considered the same thing, upgrading the engine, to a 115 hp newer technology outboard. When we trialed the 6.5, the differences were BIG. The ride, interior room, sea handling abilities that the three extra feet in length provided were significant. Just an engine upgrade would not have changed any of those things. The fuel consumption actually decreased +- 4 miles per gal. to 5 or more mpg.

I also can still launch by myself if need be.

I guess you have to decide what's important to you. I was still able to get good resale on the old boat, but for how much longer I don't know if I had kept it for another 4-5 years.

Good luck with your decision. If you do upgrade, do check out Ribcraft.

Bill

www.eclecticwonders.com uncommon art