RIbcraft 7.8 auxiliary

[Ally S]

We managed to sell our redbay over the winter and, after a good bit of research, including a long trawl through the ribnet "which rib is best" threads, we have placed an order for a 7.8m ribcraft professional, which is currently in the mould at the factory.

The boat will be based in Oban so we really do need an auxilliary engine - if anyone has a ribcraft 7.8 with an aux and can shed some light on what size they run and how suitable it is that would be much appreciated. I know strictly speaking we should have something around an 8 but it would be good to have an integral fuel tank, which limits us to a 6hp i think.

Any advice gratefully received!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Ally S

it would be good to have an integral fuel tank,

Why? Are you going to have an inboard diesel?
Far better to put an extra fuel connector on so you can plug into the main tank. You won't get far on an inbuilt tank.

[Ally S]

Ideally it would have an integral fuel tank and also a connector so we could do either - that way if there was a problem with the fuel in the main tank rather than the main engine then we could still get home, but i take your point you dont get very far on an integral tank!

Maybe we just need to get a bigger engine and keep a sep 20l tank onboard somewhere to connect up to the aux if needed.

I think it all comes down to whether or not a 6hp would be sufficient to make any headway in a boat of this size or whether we will need to go bigger.

[TUFTY]

I would always have a completely independent fuel system for an aux engine. The problem which caused the main to fail could be fuel related which may cause the aux to fail also. Anyone have a view on this?

Cheers

Paul

[NautiSeacrets]

Bit cheeky................but I have a 6hp Mariner 4 stroke going up for sale soon.

Only a year old, done less than 10 hours I reckon.

It has remote tank, although I'll keep that for spare fuel.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by TUFTY

I would always have a completely independent fuel system for an aux engine. The problem which caused the main to fail could be fuel related which may cause the aux to fail also. Anyone have a view on this?

Cheers

Paul

There's pros and cons to it.In theory it's a good idea but it's a big lump to have a second separate tank lying about. You've got to remember to cycle the fuel in it or it'll go stale.

Use a decent fuel/water separator/filter unit and there's no reason to have a problem unless you're not checking stuff properly or you're daft enough to run out of fuel.

[Neil Harvey]

OK, son on a 7.2m Shakespeare, a 9.9 Tohatsu only pushed me along at about 5 knots, full throttle with no tide. Changing the prop might help a bit I guess, but I'd definitely go bigger than a 6, and would prefer a 15 on mine if I had anywhere to fit one!

[Chris]

That's a fairly big rib to push with a 6hp, I would be looking at some of the lightwieght fourstrokes like the Tohatsu 15hp or similar.

[9D280]

Or, at risk of opening the usual can of worms and starting the usuial arguments, go twins for the main engine?

Having said that, if it's in the mould may be too late to specify a "straight" transom, and assumes you havenlt already ordered the juice burner......


(Usual comments about flly independant stuff applies)

[ribdraft]

hi ally, i just bought 7.8 ribcraft before christmas, funny enough i put an offer on your boat at same time thru redbay,ended up with ribcraft in end, small boating world! anyway i've a yam 250 four stroke with a 6hp suzuki aux, it works pretty good , i was surprised how well it worked, and to be honest i'm not sure if a bigger one would fit as its very tight with the 6 , anyway will be out on it tonight so if you have any Question or want me to test it in anyway let me know,wil take few pic for you too