Ribcraft 5.85 with a Suzuki DF140

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 17:44

My good old humber assault 4.2 has been sold

we had some great cruises and went alot further than most would have ventured in such a small boat.

But enough of the past - I needed to go further and faster so i have ordered a Ribcraft 5.85 with a Suzuki DF140

and was wondering is there anybody else out there with this same setup.

I would like to hear from other owners of Ribcraft to prepare me for anything I should watch out for etc. I have heard nothing but praise for these boats so far.

I would also like to know what props people are using on this boat/engine combination.

Unfortunately I wont be getting the boat till mid November

which leaves me boatless for the rest of the season. How many people continue to use their ribs over the cold season or do most of you winterize.

Kernow Buoy · 10 August 2005, 17:56

Congratulations Roy,
sounds a great package, with your spirit of adventure I can't believe you even mentioned winterising, I thought you might ask how far south you needed to go before it warms up

I for one don't winterise, I'll see you out there in November

Nauti Buoy · 10 August 2005, 17:56

I have an Avon 620 with the Suzuki DF140 and I have to say it is a fantastic engine, really reliable, plenty of torque, economical, we went from Chichester to Yarmouth and back on £44 worth of fuel and that was cruising at 28 knotts. That was based on filling tank on departure and refilling on the return.
Plus you'll have to get used to people saying "wish my engine was as quiet as that"!!! GOOD CHOICE I'd say

gingercoastie · 10 August 2005, 17:59

Martin Stacey used to have a Ribcraft 5.85 with a DF 140 an it was anexcellent package.

If you are feeling the withdraewl symptoms, I am sure we could arrange something to keep you going.

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

with your spirit of adventure I can't believe you even mentioned winterising

I wasnt talking about my self winterising - i was just wondering if there will be anybody else left to play with when i get a boat back on the water...

gingercoastie · 10 August 2005, 18:02

Roy,

I do not winterise my boat, so I can still come out and play.

robin · 10 August 2005, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

1).... is there anybody else out there with this same setup.

2)..... I have heard nothing but praise for these boats so far.

3)..... How many people continue to use their ribs over the cold season ?.

1)....Me
2)....As you should. A fine boat.
3)....Me again

Nice one.

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingercoastie

If you are feeling the withdraewl symptoms, I am sure we could arrange something to keep you going.

Thanks alex.

withdrawel sysmptoms havent set in yet - we had 2 fantastic days out this weekend just gone one to Fowey and back on the saturday then to penzance and back on the sunday.

The penzance trip round the lizzard was the best day i had in a boat so far - its a shame no one was with us - fantastic weather - we even caught some fish for the bbq in the evening which we had on some beach on the way back.

Everytime I put the boat in the water i give your MMSI number a blast but no reply - have you been getting out much.

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

I for one don't winterise, I'll see you out there in November

I look forward to it - at least now i will be able to keep up with you and alex in the rough stuff

gingercoastie · 10 August 2005, 18:08

Missed the weekend due to archery commitments, we were out Monday and Tuesday. I should be out this weekend, once I speak to the bos when I get home maybe we can sort something out.

Kernow Buoy · 10 August 2005, 18:59

Quote:

at least now i will be able to keep up with you and alex in the rough stuff

Ribcraft 5.85 with a Suzuki 140

8m protector with 2x 250

Suddenly I'm getting a bad feeling about this

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

Ribcraft 5.85 with a Suzuki 140

8m protector with 2x 250

Suddenly I'm getting a bad feeling about this

I was refering to the boat length being able to handle the chop (rememebr you and alex leaving me for dead in st austel bay last time - not cause i was flat out - but because i would have bounced one of the kids out of the boat) - ive no idea what speed to expect out of a 140 on my new boat.

One things for sure - im going to have fun finding out !!! (after ive run it in of course) Im sure it will be no match for alex's twin verados though - but hopefully burn alot less fuel !!!

Kernow Buoy · 10 August 2005, 20:09

Right then Roy, begs first guess! Now my Ribtec 5.35 with a 90 hp will touch 40kts ( 38, 4 up) your Ribcraft will be a little heavier but 50 hp better off, so I'm gonna go for 46kts.
Anyone else?

Jimbo · 10 August 2005, 20:49

Kernow, I'll take your bet! I reckon the added weight etc means that he will get 42.3578921 kts out of it!

roycruse · 10 August 2005, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Kernow, I'll take your bet! I reckon the added weight etc means that he will get 42.3578921 kts out of it!

wow thats an acurate estimate !!!

the gps only has 1 decimal place so i may need a more acurate way of measuring speed to see if you are right !!!

boatbuoy · 10 August 2005, 23:09

In a granny suck eggs stylie... if you are ordering a new boat, have you ticked many of the optional extras. You can do a lot worse then order extra wear patches down the tube, get a heavy duty bow snub, and get a fairlead fitted. All these will prolong the life of the tubes and stop rope wear at the bow when you moor up.

Keef.

Manny · 11 August 2005, 12:18

I've only reached 35 knots at WOT with my setup (reading GPS). That's with light chop to the water running a 3 blade 14"x19" aluminum prop. I also have a hull extension which may have effected performance. Martin Stacey has posted 40+ knots running 21" pitch prop with ideal conditions. My boat was made by Ribcraft USA so it may be like comparing Fuji apples to Granny Smith apples.

Build is good on my boat except early on rubbing strake started detaching at some points. Also flat top on console is slightly off horizontal when sighted from transom.

Nauti Buoy · 11 August 2005, 12:32

I'm going to agree with 42 knotts as I've got this out of my DF140 on the back of an AVON 620, with a 21" pitch prop

Erin · 12 August 2005, 19:39

6m Prosport (well 5.85m really) with Suzuki 90 (same block as 115) and I get 37 tops. Thats with 4 up in perfect conditions, it seems to run better loaded!?

robin · 13 August 2005, 11:12

Full tank, 2 up, flat water. No idea what size prop...it was the one Ribcraft supply with the DF140.
42.2 knots.
Ceeegar for Nauti Buoy!!!!
She'll cruise all day at 35 knots (dependant on sea state of course)
Stainless or bigger prop may get an extra couple of knots. Can't be arsed.