What engine for ribcraft 6.8 (again)

TopQ1967 · 16 March 2011, 20:32

Hi ,

Pre story

I ordered a 6.8 Ribcraft back in July last year (had good advice on this forum). Due to all kind of problems (on sellers side) delivery was postponed time by time. Initially a 175 Suzi was fitted in the deal we made (1st down payment made in that time as well). Because the boat was still not delivered at the end of October and season was ending I asked them to delivery the boat and engine at the beginning of the new season (both in 2011 spec. /year of man.). I changed the engine size to 225 HP (at significant costs) as well. For this I gave them a signed order. A couple of weeks after I got a replay it would take 4 months lead time for the 225 HP Suzi to order as it was not available in the UK. I answered them it was no problem for me to wait. Now 4 months later they tell me they didn’t receive the reaction that I accept the 4- months lead time!!! And offer me a 175 HP engine instead. If I want the 225 HP Suzi I have to wait another 4 months.

What to do now?
1) Look at another brand for the 225 HP engine;
2) Go for the 250 HP (same engine as 225 HP);
3) Go back to 175 HP;
4) Or...... end contact with Ribcraft (ask my money back) and look for somthing else.

By the way I do not understand the 225 HP engine is in Suzuki’s UK’s list if they don’t sell this engine in the UK (at least Ribcraft is telling me this).

Regards,

Q.

CJL · 16 March 2011, 20:34

Ditch the engine order and ask for the boat to be completed without engine.

Once you've got it get a Verado fitted or a Yamaha 4 stroke.

C

sarahscottiedog · 16 March 2011, 20:51

Ribcraft website states max for this boat is 225hp I would think that the 175hp would fly anyway.

I had heard elsewhere that there is difficulty in getting the large size suzukis at the moment.... dont know why

However this one is for sale on ebay brand new from main dealer
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-DF-225-...item5d238f0a85

Top banana · 17 March 2011, 18:43

I had the 225 suzuki fitted to my 7.5 sport, top speed 46 knotts,
Depends on what you are using the boat for, but i would be shouting loudly at ribcraft to get me my 225

GJ0KYZ · 17 March 2011, 18:54

I have a ETec 225 on my Ribcraft 6.8. Top speed has been 47kts with a Rebel 19" prop but I currently have a Cyclone 4-blade 19" with a top speed of 45kts but much faster acceleration (and stopping!). For some reason my ETec won't rev beyond 5,150 so the top-end speed would probably be higher with one that was revving properly.

Mollers · 17 March 2011, 19:26

I'd cancel the 225 Suzy as it's a bit of a lazy old lump, order an Etec 225 and have Ribcraft rig it. It'll rip compared to Fat Suze.

TopQ1967 · 17 March 2011, 19:39

problem now solved. I called Suzuki UK myself, they had two 225 engines in stock. For ditching the engine Ribcraft wanted to give me silly money back so I Kept the Suzi.
Bit disapointed I had to find it out myself (and Ribcraft didn't contact me for more then 4 months).

Regards

Q.

Mollers · 17 March 2011, 19:42

Ribcraft- crap comms?

willk · 17 March 2011, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Ribcraft- crap comms?

Naughty! I find email to be a very poor substitute for Communication. Unless you treat it like printed mail and then the punters don't find it as much fun any more, 'cos they have to think about what they wrote - ouch!

Leapy · 17 March 2011, 20:28

There's something just doesn't ring right here...

tony t · 17 March 2011, 20:31

[QUOTE=willk;393009] Naughty! I find email to be a very poor substitute

thats f***kin disgusting id tell them to stick there rib where the sun dont shine, get my money back and go elsewhere, if i treated my customers like that id have no work end the contract now ...!! and go elsewhere

Top banana · 17 March 2011, 20:50

[QUOTE=tony t;393029] [QUOTE=willk;393009] Naughty! I find email to be a very poor substitute

thats f***kin disgusting id tell them to stick there rib where the sun dont shine, get my money back and go elsewhere,

Ribquest.

tony t · 17 March 2011, 20:52

[QUOTE=Top banana;393034] [QUOTE=tony t;393029]

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Naughty! I find email to be a very poor substitute

thats f***kin disgusting id tell them to stick there rib where the sun dont shine, get my money back and go elsewhere,

Ribquest.

no mate anybody... i just would but up with such crap from anyone i mean orderd last july its a joke

by the way have you got your name down for the april cruise mate ?

Top banana · 17 March 2011, 20:58

[QUOTE=tony t;393035] [QUOTE=Top banana;393034]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony t

no mate anybody... i just would but up with such crap from anyone i mean orderd last july its a joke

Well i wouldnt either, thats why it would be Ribquest or another vipermax, in either order.

Mollers · 17 March 2011, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top banana

.....or another vipermax,

You'll get plenty of comms from Osprey HQ. Roy Bish could chat for the West Mids. 'Awwwriight'.

Top banana · 17 March 2011, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

You'll get plenty of comms from Osprey HQ. Roy Bish could chat for the West Mids. 'Awwwriight'.

Awwr smashin

willk · 17 March 2011, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leapy

There's something just doesn't ring right here...

I'm with you Leapy - Something's off. Having said that, punters do write a load of bollix in their War & Peace emails. It would take a day to answer some that took them fifteen minutes to type. Phonecall, five minutes - done. Confirmation email by all means

behavin · 17 March 2011, 22:13

to answer your actual question...i have a 6.8 ribcraft with a 250 df on the back.
the boat came proped more for load ie: 6 adults so has a 19.5 inch pitch prop.
currently at wot (6100) she'll do 47 knots....i could (should) reprop imo and get a 23 inch prop which i would think cut the wot but increase top speed slightly when light loaded

as to the engine on this hull...it is very stern heavy and drags at slow speed so much so i have toyed with the idea of trim tabs as well as another prop but money stops this just now.
the boat takes the 250 fine (it was fitted by ribcraft) but if i were too re engine the hull after having this one for 4 years...i'd be looking at a smaller engine which hopefully would be a bit lighter...at a guess i reckon a 200 would be right...

your offer of a 175 i could see you'd be pushing it hard more than if you had a 200-250
i can run the 250 at 4000rpm and be doing 30-35 knots which with the family aboard is plenty.

as to customer service i went in last month and had nothing but help and great advice from jason behind the counter.

ps as a little thought....i've just had to replace my trim ram with a new one as i had a pea size hole corroded through the oil gallery..

I must have a bad earth somewhere on the boat ut have now got a bonding wire which connects the ram to the anode which wasnt on it when i bought it.

Pikey Dave · 17 March 2011, 22:57

The OPs experience sounds familiar, been there, done it, got the boat ( eventually)

Downhilldai · 17 March 2011, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by behavin

the boat takes the 250 fine (it was fitted by ribcraft) but if i were too re engine the hull after having this one for 4 years...i'd be looking at a smaller engine which hopefully would be a bit lighter...at a guess i reckon a 200 would be right...

Most current 200/250 outboards are based on the same lump. The DF200 & 250 (&225) are 3.6 litre V6 motors. The Df150/175 motors are 4-cylinder 2.9 litre units which weigh around 45kg less, but lack the grunt of their big V6 brothers.