Over powering a RIB, AB VS vs VST

ribblog · 16 August 2009, 21:58

I have an AB VS that I thought was (bought used) a VST because it has the Console and seats, power tilt, etc. I have recently found out it is a Navigo VS and not an Oceanus VST.

I have an E-Tec 40 and am able to get a new e-tec 60 for virtually no cost to me.

But the plates say max 40 hp.

Has anyone gone 20hp over their limit on their RIB and what was the result?

I can't see only 20hp lifting the bow straight up like when people "over power" their boats by 50hp or more.

I do have a whale tale.

IMPORTANT: The e-tec 40 and 60 are virtually identical except in the hp. Same weight, gear ratio, etc.

codprawn · 16 August 2009, 22:35

Wouldn't worry at all - the weight on the transom is the most important thing - you can always throttle back a bit!!!

Nos4r2 · 16 August 2009, 23:43

In the USA,I'd worry more about how much you'll get sued for when your insurance isn't valid after an accident...

Rigaud · 17 August 2009, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

In the USA,I'd worry more about how much you'll get sued for when your insurance isn't valid after an accident...

In the states and Canada if you get pulled over by the cops or CG and your over powered your out.

codprawn · 17 August 2009, 01:51

Simple - change the decals on the cowl - or change the cowl.........

ribblog · 17 August 2009, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Simple - change the decals on the cowl - or change the cowl.........

I plan on taking the decal off the cowl or putting a "40" on it.

I agree throttle back.

But has anyone done it? 20hp over?

Poly · 17 August 2009, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribblog

I plan on taking the decal off the cowl or putting a "40" on it.

I agree throttle back.

But has anyone done it? 20hp over?

If you are going to throttle back why bother.

Is it right to think of it as "just 20 HP over" or would "50% over" be more concerning?

codprawn · 17 August 2009, 11:25

Because usually a throttled back engine uses far less fuel - and the extra power is always there if you need it!!!

Look how many older speedboats you see with engines WAY over what they should be. It's weight on the transom that counts.

ribblog · 17 August 2009, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

If you are going to throttle back why bother.

Is it right to think of it as "just 20 HP over" or would "50% over" be more concerning?

a 60 on a 40 max boat is not 50%. The main fact here is the engines are both 240lbs on the money.

...Throttle back only means that as I can hit 38 mph with it now, if the 60 would do significantly more, and boat can't handle it, simply don't go past 38, or prop it so it won't.

I can't believe no one on this board has over powered. Strange.

The reason I want to do this are
1. Heavy loads; I can hole shot faster and easier and cut out the wallowing in the waves with a load of people when taking off from a standstill.
2. Be able to prop for hard hole shots and still have the 38 mph top I already have
3. Make the engine work less, especially loaded up

Jono · 17 August 2009, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribblog

a 60 on a 40 max boat is not 50%. ...

Damn.. I must have missed something back at school...I always thought a 50% increase was..like one-and-a-half times something.......

codprawn · 17 August 2009, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribblog

a 60 on a 40 max boat is not 50%. The main fact here is the engines are both 240lbs on the money.

...Throttle back only means that as I can hit 38 mph with it now, if the 60 would do significantly more, and boat can't handle it, simply don't go past 38, or prop it so it won't.

I can't believe no one on this board has over powered. Strange.

The reason I want to do this are
1. Heavy loads; I can hole shot faster and easier and cut out the wallowing in the waves with a load of people when taking off from a standstill.
2. Be able to prop for hard hole shots and still have the 38 mph top I already have
3. Make the engine work less, especially loaded up

The reason is this

In the USA people do what they like and get sued when something goes wrong.

In the UK people are so afraid of being sued/fined they are too scared to do anything at all - even though it rarely happens here!!!

Poly · 17 August 2009, 17:23

Jono, must be like they don't know how many litres are in a gallon - they must have a different way of doing percents across the pond!

Ribblog, there are people here who are over their transom rating - but the interesting thing is that whilst people do it they don't generally encourage others to do it. Its possibly the opposite of the phenomenon that Cod suggests - people making up their own minds based on their own assessment rather than because someone else told them to / not to.

Cod, I don't believe its as simple as the weight on the transom, the engine applies a force on the transom from its thrust. If it was ALL about weight manufacturers would simply quote a maximum wt, rather than both a max wt and max HP. And you could add floats to the side (a bit like a jet pack) to get round the weight limit.

ribblog · 17 August 2009, 17:39

I have decided not to do it. Its too big of a legal issue and probably will result in a small gain for such a large amount of potential problems.

Actually my biggest fear is of selling it. Not being able to, or having the buyer come back and sue me after he gets sued. Yes, California living.

Its just too big a mess and headache to deal with. The more I think about it, the stupider the idea gets.

It is after all only a RIB, not a high powered racing boat, (where on is trying to extract every mph.)

I'll save my pennies for a dual motor super RIB or just get an offshore style speed boat made for the ocean...

ribblog · 17 August 2009, 17:41

Right now she'll top out at 38mph with trim, 32 without trim.

I suppose I should be happy.

And the fuel mileage on this puppy.... ohhhh. The gas tank lasts forever. Even after a couple days of racing the waves, I still have fuel left on a 6.5 tank.