Yamaha 115 V4 on a Valiant DR 520

[keelhauled]

I got a Yamaha 115 V4 as part payment on a job and its in mint condition, not a mark on the motor, skeg and prop and I'm told its the origional prop. Question is would you experienced ribbers chance putting it on a Valiant DR 520 that as far as I know is rated to a max of 100hp. I carry a Yamaha 8hp as an auxillary and I'd say there would not be room on the stern as this is a much bigger lump than the very tired Suzuki 85 I am running. Weight wise I've had 5 big hairy divers and gear aboard without problems of weight issues so I could be more careful till I get the feel of it in the water and not load up as much. Your thoughts please!!!!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by keelhauled

Your thoughts please!!!!

Bloody heavy! Nearly 170kg from memory.

I'd make sure there's no insurance issues with doing it 1st,and ask Valiant if you can.

[250kts]

I had a Valiant 570 with a 115 Optimax, good boat and got 40 kts out of her.

Putting 115 on the back of the 520 would be over powering the hull in my opinion.

Keep the engine, get a better platform to put it on.

Steve

[keelhauled]

Thanks for your input guys, I'll post an update in a few weeks.

[DJS]

I had a 115 v4 on a wide series 5.5 Toranado and it was a lot of engine. If you have not done anything with it yet and if you want to sell it on, drop me a note.

DJ

[ADS]

The valiants aren't built very well, im not sure it would stand up long term to the weight of a V4 Yamaha.

[two stroke mick]

ADS. Please expand on the statement "The valiants aren't built very well,"


I would agree that the engine proposed is far too large for this rib.

TSM

[ADS]

The vanguard's are absolutely diabolical, the 'DR' versions are better but are not laid up as well as say a Ribcraft, you don't see many older valiants for sale, things like the consoles/ anchor lock lid etc aren't very robust.
Fine if you want to bob around the solent and run the recommended engine size, but not really the sort of thing you bolt a Yammie V4 on thats massively outside the manufacturers specifications. If you want an overpowered rib that stick it on something thats over engineered in the first place like a searider.

[willfinch36]

Originally Posted by ADS

The vanguard's are absolutely diabolical,

Depends how well you treat them I guess.

Mines fine, its only for lesiure use etc, not "industrial"

However I still think AVON are the best built ribs, no doubt about that...

But yeah I wouldnt wanna stick a 115HP on mine thats for certain...

[250kts]

Not that I have one now, but Valiants did me fine. Had it 3 years and ran and performed without fault. Put over 300 hours on both engine and hull and partook in some adventurous cruises and kept up with some more extreme machines.
You pay for what you get and if you keep within the limitations of the spec, you will get years of pleasure from it.
PS I have seen older models and seem to still be going strong, many in and around Christchurch