New Redbay 8.4 Expedition

[willk]

As Andy Gee suggested, the Redbay open days were a great success. The WX was perfect on Sunday and after several blasts around the bay, I have to say that I was stunned by the handling and performance of the mid-size cabin ribs.

A quick nosey around the shop floor revealed an 8.4 Expedition in final fitout. She is destined to work in the Western Isles and is very hi-spec. Pictures attached show Forward infrared camera, remote deck helm position, Ullman seating etc. Someone is going to be very happy!

I don't know what her name is/will be. I simply refer to her as Envy.

[willk]

But of course the real fun was on the water - and what a day - perfect weather. Our group wanted some helm time on the 7.4 and 8.4 Expeditions and we were not disappointed. Many thanks to the owners of Sula and Belaroce for two very illuminating blasts around the bay!

Belaroce is one of the earlier 8.4 Expeditions and is a revelation of just how good a cabin rib of this size can be. It was surprising just how well a large stable platform like this could be thrown around (sry Andrew ). This is a boat with long legs.

Sula, at 7.4m with twin Suzi 140s is very special. I found her handling and performance not dissimilar to my 6.5 twin 90, yet she had a spacious cabin, two berths and an extensive deck space.

Interestingly, craft like this are (as Ezygoin said) in demand currently, being a flexible platform that is trailerable. Redbay have a new varient on the drawingboard that features a cabin with lower waistline and a lift off hardtop. Something to watch out for. I'd post the sneaky pic I took - but Gary said he'd drop a ballbearing in my tank if I did. And so...

[Mollers]

Budgie the Helicopter's sea-going cousin.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Budgie the Helicopter's sea-going cousin.

I'm not sure that Tom has a Royal Warrant as yet, but I'm glad to see that you've been broadening your literary horizons Mollers

[mackey]

A few friends and myself took a trip up to redbay over the weekend as well. We had a run in the 8.4 cabin rib and thought it was a good boat but a bit on the slow side max is 34 knots. The day was calm and I believe these boats would perform better in rough conditions. After the run out in the boat we went back up to have a look round the shop floor. While there we asked a member of the redbay staff some questions about the 8.4.

We asked why the boats were not fitted with duo props and were told they are more expensive, they use more fuel and they give slower top end speed. To the best of my knowledge they are more expensive!

We asked if there was access to the fuel tanks (I was considering buying a secondhand boat) so that if something went wrong it may be possible to get cleaned etc. There is no access to the fuel tanks.

At this point I think the staff member was a bit uncomfortable.

We then asked about the engine dropping valves. We had been in Lough Erne a few weeks before speaking to the police who run an 11 m redbay, the police officer we had been speaking with said that they had had quite a few problems with the engine dropping valves being a 200 hp engine rated to 315 hp (this is not an increased hp modification by the police). The staff member said that he had never come across this issue.

We left confused.

[willk]

Originally Posted by mackey

We left confused.

If it helps, the picture below shows the Duoprop on "Envy" - the 8.4m

Look at the upside though, if you're not buying a Redbay, at least you won't have to go to all the trouble of coding that speedy Ribeye for "timeshare" - http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27328

[mackey]

To clarify

I was told that the 8.4 can be fitted with duo props but that they cost more, are slower and use more fuel.

Possibly 'Excalibur Ribs' then

[Andy Gee]

Originally Posted by mackey

We asked why the boats were not fitted with duo props and were told they are more expensive, they use more fuel and they give slower top end speed. To the best of my knowledge they are more expensive!
They are more expensive, use very slightly more fuel and drop about 1-2knots from the top end- but what you do get is amazing "driveablility"- it all really depens on whether or not you would sacrafice this for far better fun and manouvereing

We asked if there was access to the fuel tanks (I was considering buying a secondhand boat) so that if something went wrong it may be possible to get cleaned etc. There is no access to the fuel tanks.
Access to the tanks is through the sender unit

At this point I think the staff member was a bit uncomfortable.
Did he have to get on with sweeping the floor?

We then asked about the engine dropping valves. We had been in Lough Erne a few weeks before speaking to the police who run an 11 m redbay, the police officer we had been speaking with said that they had had quite a few problems with the engine dropping valves being a 200 hp engine rated to 315 hp (this is not an increased hp modification by the police). The staff member said that he had never come across this issue.
I have never heard of this problem either- know of a few minor issues but no major ones. The 315hp engine is not a 200hp uprated, it was designed as a 350hp+ unit and derated to 240hp (Me420/421/422 Sti) until Yamaha completed testing and modifications to ensure that it would be reliable at 315hp. The Yamaha165hp unit is very similar to the Yanmar 240hp 4 Cylinder, again Yamaha have de rated this unit

We left confused.
Dont blame you

.

[mackey]

Andy Gee

Thanks for clearing that up.

On a bit of a tangent.

Do all duo props use more fuel and give slower top end speed or is this dependent on hull shape? I believe that most Scorpions are fitted with duo props and these appear to give a faily high top end speed (I'm not comparing Scorpions with Redbay). Or is it as you say that they provide more fun!

Does the Yamaha engine block not come from a Toyota vehicle of some description landcruiser/hilux which was built to run 200hp??

While at Redbay we did get a chance to have a look at some 11m RIBS. Very nice bit of kit.

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm glad to see that you've been broadening your literary horizons

luvverly jubberly

willik slipt de stiletoe smoovly unnder de ribbs an wiv de meerest int ov a rist flik, de victimm woz guttid lyke a fkin fissh

ifn itt woz mee i wud a rapt a shawt rowpe rownd iz nek az wel an pusht im orf a balcuny sow iz gizzerds endid upp onn de futpath jus lyke inn dat annibal filum

i woz imprest wiv dat. sow imprest i ad itt addid too de iso 9001 manyewal forr mi dett collectin bizniss

garF