Why a deep V?

[bernithebiker]

I have just sold our Capelli 5.70m with 100 Yam for a shade under 20 000 Euros (3 years old, 39 hours).

We need a smaller, more workmanlike boat, for a bit less money, and I'm looking at Ribcraft 4.8, etc. etc.

My question is that given that almost everyone here is a big fan of deep V's, and that there are loads of advantages of a deep V, why are there so many medium V's being built and sold, especially in France. What are the DIS advantages of a deep V that mean that some manufacturers don't make them? How does a medium V outperform a deep V? Price? Planing?

In France, deep V's are almost unobtainable. You see tonnes of Bombard, Valiant, Capelli, Zodiac, but almost zero Ribcraft, Humber, Osprey, etc. Given that these boats have such great reputations, why are they not selling shedloads of them on the continent? Sea conditions, at least in the Channel and Atlantic, are pretty much identical England/France.

[ajg74]

being out in Cardigan Bay last Sunday in the rather large swells in our deep V hulled rib, being launched 5-6 or more foot in the air every few mins with the boat not even breaking into a sweat and watching a Fletcher speed boat almost sink when trying the same, made me very thankful for that deep V!!!

[Nos4r2]

What's the price differential like?

The Dutch build a fair few deep Vs from memory, so is it just a French thing?

[SPR]

Bombard 5.5 DB is pretty deep V....

S.

[willk]

Originally Posted by ajg74

and watching a Fletcher speed boat almost sink when trying the same,

[ajg74]

I know, didnt have the camera with me and my phone was in one of the lockers in a plastic food bag, they where hand bailing it out for all they where worth, was one of the ones with the gap in the windscreen and an open front, they took on rather a lot of water when it went nose first off a rather large wave!! lol

[Screaming04]

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

For most of us, those "advantages" are more than offset by poorer performance in rough water.

[bernithebiker]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

For most of us, those "advantages" are more than offset by poorer performance in rough water.

Thankyou Screaming4! That's kind of what I had guessed.

So the only possible conclusion then is that the French are lightweight summer cruisers, whilst the British are hard core all-weather kind of chaps?

(There are one or two British ribs knocking around Brittany, and it would seem that the locals are somewhat in awe of them. They have a totally different concept. I have never once seen a jockey seat over here.....!)

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

The only "advantages" to a shallow V is that they are faster in smooth water, require less power to plane, and might use slightly less fuel because of the above.

....and they're more stable at rest, if we're comparing RIBs with toobs that are out of the water when off the plane.

[Ribtecer]

I have a Solent 5.4, my buddy has their 5.8 and we use them in the Solent in pretty much any weather. I am very impressed in all conditions.

Solents French agents; http://www.atlanticribs.com/