Valiant 490 with two 30hp engines

[BigKev]

Hello everyone,

I have seen a Valiant 490 with two 30hp Mariner engines and would like to know if this is a good thing? The owner claims that this is a great thing as there is reliability if one engine fails. Am I likely to have any problems with normal running of both engines.

I should say this is my first boat. I have booked a 2 day powerboating course to get some knowledge.

Many thanks Kevin.

[timboli]

I had a 4.8 ribcraft with twin ex rnli mariner 30 engines,one of them gave a lot of problems but was resolved in the end.Max speed was around 24 knots but the engines were manual trim so that was limiting in terms of getting the best out of the boat.The boat was very slow(aroung 10 knots i think) under one engine.The engines did sound nice together at full chat.
I did find that the fact that the engines I had were manual start and tilt was a big negative when I tried to sell.
Personally I will always prefer one engine with a small auxilary but I know some people do prefer twins.
Another factor to consider is increased servicing cost.
I did think the boat was quite economical to run fuel wise but I have no idea how it would compare to a single 60.

[Tim M]

You could easily service a part of 30's your self for not much money. Twin engines make manovering a doddle although this isnt such a big issue in a 4.9m boat.

Surly a single 60 is going to use less fuel......

[BigKev]

Thanks for the replies.

So am I right in thinking I should avoid this RIB and look elsewhere?

Will there continue to be RIBs for sale during the Winter season or will it go all quiet?

Thanks

Kevin

[Jackwabbit]

Originally Posted by BigKev

Thanks for the replies.

So am I right in thinking I should avoid this RIB and look elsewhere?

Will there continue to be RIBs for sale during the Winter season or will it go all quiet?

Thanks

Kevin

I would have thought you would get a better deal during the winter, not many people are too keen to go out when it’s freezing cold. Not to mention all those dealers who are trying to keep some money coming in during the slack months.
I would have thought it’s a bit like buying a motorcycle during the winter, dealers are prepared to almost loose money just to keep the stock turning over.
If it’s a private sale & they haven’t sold it by now, there’s a good chance they may not get rid of it until next summer & if they have ordered a new boat they may be getting desperate.
Yup if I was in the market to get a second hand RIB I would wait until its cold & dark (ok maybe not dark after all you want to have a good look round it don’t you?) then brace the elements & take it for a spin (that should show up any problems with starting & running etc)
Well that’s my opinion anyway.

[BigKev]

Ok thanks.

So do you think if I look out for something in the 5 metre area with a 60hp engine with a much smaller aux engine then I should be ok? Anything else I should be looking out for?

I am taking the RYA level 2 course so I have some basic knowledge of using a RIB.

I should also point out that I have never towed anything either before so I have something else to learn also.

Once again thanks for your help.

Kevin

[Tim M]

There are one day towing courses out there, although with a 4/5mish RIB you shouldn't have too much hassle. The worst part is reversing down a slipway. You might want to practise this in an empty carpark for a little while first.

[PeterR]

Depending what year you took your car test, will depend on wetheryou need a towing test taken

[Tim M]

With a boat this size a towing test shouldn't be needed.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

With a boat this size a towing test shouldn't be needed.

yep-you only need to take a category c1 test if the trailer has a MAM of over 750kg.

You'll know if this is the case if
1) It says so on the trailer
2)If the trailer has brakes-no-one to my knowledge makes trailers under 750kg with brakes.