Another birth - Excalibur 8.5 wrap

Cork Rib · 10 November 2005, 15:49

Had a great couple of weekends trying to break....eer sea trial the new Excalibur 8.5m wrap around (www.gaelforceventures.com ). Volvo 350 in the back, bunks and sea toilet up the front, 45+ knots with the wrong prop on - should be pushing 50 with the new prop. Drives like a dream, plenty power and I want one!! Heres a couple of pics we took over the last couple of weekends

Jon

codprawn · 10 November 2005, 16:00

Wow - nice boat - and still a proper RIB - nice to see the tubes actually touch the water!!!

CJL · 10 November 2005, 17:58

I have to say I'm very very impressed with this manufacturer.

Attention to detail, good looks, decent prices.....I want one!!!

C

Mollers · 10 November 2005, 18:48

What the "F" is that?!!

Sorry guys, that thing looks bloody awful!! In my opinion.

Hugh Jardon · 10 November 2005, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollulnan

What the "F" is that?!!

Sorry guys, that thing looks bloody awful!! In my opinion.

i am afraid that at first glance i have to agree that it is not the nicest looking boat i have seen, in fact it does look ugly, looks like about 3 boats fused together by some sort of dr who machine. Not my cup of t but might look better in the flesh....or maybe not.......in my opinion as well!!!!

swginn · 10 November 2005, 21:13

Hey Jon,

Heard about this one a while back, from the guy who owns Whispering Pines (can't remember his name, but he's got one on of these on order too and he's selling his 8.0m) From what I heard this is gonna be one seriously good offshore RIB, as if the other Excaliburs weren't capable enough already!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollulnan

What the "F" is that?!! Sorry guys, that thing looks bloody awful!! In my opinion.

Thats really not what these boats are all about though is it, I mean what help is looking good when you're battling a force 8, 30 miles offshore in the middle of the night. Nobody's gonna see ya out there now are they??

Anyways I think it looks alright in the photos but will look a hundred times better in the Hyp!! Hopefully I'll see her this weekend maybe, I should be out and about on Saturday for a blast. Jon, was that photo taken on the Owenabue river? Its a stones throw from me, but gets very shallow I should really pop in to the new factory to have an ol' look around, but I'm afraid it'll end up being a very expensive trip.

Anyways, well done Joe and James, looks like Redbay are gonna have to start catching up now!!

Cork Rib · 10 November 2005, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by swginn

Hey Jon,

Heard about this one a while back, from the guy who owns Whispering Pines (can't remember his name, but he's got one on of these on order too and he's selling his 8.0m) From what I heard this is gonna be one seriously good offshore RIB, as if the other Excaliburs weren't capable enough already!

Thats really not what these boats are all about though is it, I mean what help is looking good when you're battling a force 8, 30 miles offshore in the middle of the night. Nobody's gonna see ya out there now are they??

Anyways I think it looks alright in the photos but will look a hundred times better in the Hyp!! Hopefully I'll see her this weekend maybe, I should be out and about on Saturday for a blast. Jon, was that photo taken on the Owenabue river? Its a stones throw from me, but gets very shallow I should really pop in to the new factory to have an ol' look around, but I'm afraid it'll end up being a very expensive trip.

Anyways, well done Joe and James, looks like Redbay are gonna have to start catching up now!!

All the testing was done in Kinsale. One a day that had big breaking waves at the entrance. Not once did she take water over her bow even when we tried to stuff it. you are right in saying this is a serious offshore boat with a 45 gall fuel capacity. The guy who's bought her has small kids and the high sides provide safety and the detachable hood keeps the kids and the wife dry and more importantly "boat friendly"

Jon

Hugh Jardon · 10 November 2005, 22:48

i must admit it seems a bit ugly but you are right in that it will give lots of protection for the family and keep em warm and safe which is a serious consideration

mind you i expect they are not cheap

is 45 gal capacity enough fuel for the big girl?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cork Rib

All the testing was done in Kinsale. One a day that had big breaking waves at the entrance. Not once did she take water over her bow even when we tried to stuff it. you are right in saying this is a serious offshore boat with a 45 gall fuel capacity. The guy who's bought her has small kids and the high sides provide safety and the detachable hood keeps the kids and the wife dry and more importantly "boat friendly"

Jon

jellis · 11 November 2005, 01:12

It certainly wins the ugly prize and 45 galls seems minascule if it really is an offshore boat

Jonathan

roycruse · 11 November 2005, 08:18

Ive got 40 gallons in my 5.85 for a suzuki 140 !!!

surely you need at least 100 gallons in an "off shore" Rib

Milan · 11 November 2005, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Ive got 40 gallons in my 5.85 for a suzuki 140 !!!

surely you need at least 100 gallons in an "off shore" Rib

I agree with Roycruse I have 300 LTRs just under 67 Galls in my own boat when I take her cruising round oban it does not go far so what use is 45 Galls for a seriously good offshore rib and what are them bandaid plasters holding the tubes to the hull all about

went to look at a Redbay rib before I bought my own boat 7.8 mtr with a 225 opti on the back that held 100 Galls I think the Redbay boys have the right idea

Andy Gee · 11 November 2005, 12:52

Its very similar to the Redbay 11m, but IMHO lacks the length to put it proportion. I have had a good look at Joes boat's and they are with out a doubt very well built, but 45 Gallons is not nearly enough fuel.....is this the correct figure?

Andy

Cork Rib · 11 November 2005, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Gee

Its very similar to the Redbay 11m, but IMHO lacks the length to put it proportion. I have had a good look at Joes boat's and they are with out a doubt very well built, but 45 Gallons is not nearly enough fuel.....is this the correct figure?

Andy

Hands up! I contacted Joe who makes the boat and he tells me this model has a 90 Gallon tank , but is also available with a 100 gl tank if the sea toilet is not fitted.

Just for your info Joe designed most of the redbay range and also the 11m in the redbay picture above.

Jon

swginn · 11 November 2005, 13:37

I somehow doubt this is the correct fuel tank figure as well TBH!! The 7.5m petrol version has a bigger tank than that AFAIK. I'll try to find out. The "band aid plasters" would be none slip patches for accessing the bow.

Anyway for those who don't know the naval architect Joe McCollam who designs and builds these Excaliburs, has also designed a lot of the Redbays in his time with them, before he set up Excalibur. That gives you an idea of what kind of league this boat is in. 45kts is very quick for a 9m diesel combo BTW. As you say she is propped wrong too. On a very deep-V hull with no steps, V. Impressed!!

edit: Got there B4 me Jon!!

Milan · 11 November 2005, 13:51

The "band aid plasters" would be none slip patches for accessing the bow.

I know what they are but dont you think they would have looked better in one continuous strip

Andy Gee · 11 November 2005, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cork Rib

Hands up! I contacted Joe who makes the boat and he tells me this model has a 90 Gallon tank , but is also available with a 100 gl tank if the sea toilet is not fitted.

Just for your info Joe designed most of the redbay range and also the 11m in the redbay picture above.

Jon

That's a bit more like it

. I know Joe designed the "Hard Nose" concept but I didnt think he was involved in the new designs that differ quite significantly from the earlier models built, either way the canopy is definately the way forward for all weather crusing.
Andy

Ronan Twomey · 11 November 2005, 14:43

Theres a very good old saying (Dont knock it until you try it )
I was out in my own Rib in Kinsale 2 weeks ago and met the lads doing sea trials on the new 8.5 wrap Rib and asked for a go myself, All I can say is what a boat,I was really impressed with the way it handled in the rough and boy was it rough.The Volvo 350 is a lovely engine with no turbo lag and at 46 knots with 310 props, Some performance.I couldn't believe how dry the boat was inside with no canopy on.
The fuel Tank is 90 gallons not 45 as was said on a previous post.
I was so impressed with the Rib I put a deposit on for one myself.
Congrats to the lads at Excalibur for a job well done.

Mollers · 11 November 2005, 22:31

Guys, the Blue Riband boats which tear across the Atlantic are hugely seaworthy and have massive range, but they don't look like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

HOL · 12 November 2005, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollulnan

What the "F" is that?!!

Sorry guys, that thing looks bloody awful!! In my opinion.

That is my rib and we think it looks fantastic and from what I can see we are not the only ones, the comments from people who have seen this Excalibur 8.7 in the flesh are very positive, it has only been in the water a couple of weeks and from what I understand Joe has 6 more on order, not bad for November, an endorsement with ones hard earned cash is one to be taken seriously.

swginn · 12 November 2005, 03:56

Well said!! look forward to seeing you out on the water. Can't wait to see Keamore in the flesh. Have heard a lot of positive comments about this new model in the last few weeks and I'm certain she'll live up to the hype.

Welcome to the site anyway. It's a great resource for all things ribbing. There are some very knowledgeable people on here who can offer great advice, and with that there are also a few who talk a load of crap

I'm sure you'll be able to tell who's who

Go n-éirí leat!!