my new RB - Sparfel

Poly · 15 September 2005, 21:23

Just received delivery of my new boat. I suspect the purests on this site will feel it doesn't belong here as whilst its in the style of a RIB the "tubes" aren't inflatable. Whole thing is roto-moulded from polyethylene. So sorry if it offends anyone!

There's a 20HP yamaha to go on the back. And the whole lot cost well under £4k brand new - which I think for a 3.9m boat, engine and trailer is not a bad deal.

My only real criticism at the moment (apart from the fact that the steering cables weren't attached to the boat and flew out when it was being delivered to me - so I am still waiting to take it to the water) is the set up of the trailer. The weight is too far back, but there is a long "tongue" so planning to move the winch / bow post forward to sort that out.

The boat is made by FunYak and sold to me by their UK distributor Atlantic Focus.

When the cables turn up, and I get her in the water I will post here with my thoughts on handling etc.

Questions and comments (even criticisms) welcome!

bogib · 15 September 2005, 21:26

Looks a lot like Stealth from Norway and by me they should belong here on RIB.net

Congratulation and hope you will have many great time cruising.

Bogi

Richard B · 15 September 2005, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

My only real criticism at the moment (apart from the fact that the steering cables weren't attached to the boat and flew out when it was being delivered to me - so I am still waiting to take it to the water) is the set up of the trailer. The weight is too far back, but there is a long "tongue" so planning to move the winch / bow post forward to sort that out.

I think that the problem is that the trailer is too short for the boat!

Poly · 15 September 2005, 22:08

Richard,

This trailer is an EZ Loader 1000 supplied by the same people as the boat - on their recomendation. EZ Loader's site says this is is suitable for boats 12-14 ft long - the boat is 12'9" long.

Neil

Poly · 15 September 2005, 22:09

Bogib,

Thanks for your encouraging words. I have to confess I'm not familiar with the Norwegian small boat market!

Cheers,

Neil

Richard B · 15 September 2005, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

This trailer is an EZ Loader 1000 supplied by the same people as the boat - on their recomendation. EZ Loader's site says this is is suitable for boats 12-14 ft long - the boat is 12'9" long.

Might be interesting to measure the nose weight once you've got the outboard rigged.

Poly · 15 September 2005, 22:31

Am I right in thinking that to do this I take a pair of bathroom scales (which will mean borrowing/buying some as they are forbidden in my house - so that I don't know how far overweight I actually am!), and "prop" the hitch up so that it is supported on the scales?

What's the "correct" nose weight? If memory serves me correctly this should be around 50 kg? But does that actually depend on the total weight of the trailer?

Thanks for your advice,

Cheers,

Richard B · 15 September 2005, 22:39

Yes, any device that can measure the weight. Jockey wheel should be near enough as it doesn't have to be exact. If you're used to estimating weights, do it by "guesstimate"... on a small rig like that you probably won't get 50kg as that's a significant proportion of the weight, but I'm concerned that you might get close to zero or negative nose weight with the outboard hanging on the back.

Scary Des · 16 September 2005, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

..... is the set up of the trailer. The weight is too far back, but there is a long "tongue" so planning to move the winch / bow post forward to sort that out.

I’d be inclined to think about moving the axle back

you don’t have a lot of room on the front of that trailer to play with.
Yaks are good solid boats by the way

be interested to see how it goes.

Des

Poly · 19 September 2005, 13:43

Managed to get her in the water yesterday and she zips about, turns and planes beautifully. She was launched as the final excercise in my RYA Level 2 course, and the instructor was quite impressed by her stability, turning and sea keeping (in general bearing in mind that this is a 100 kg bathtub!).

The only problem we had was with recovering the bloody thing, due to the ridiculous trailer balance problem! There was basically no nose weight without the fuel tank at the bow and even then still very little. We did eventually succeed in getting her up the very slippy slipway. But its not something I wanted to repeat.

I moved the winch/bowpost etc as I had suggested earlier and there is now some significant nose weight (not measured how much but probably 15-20 kg). If i had realised what a big effect moving it such a small distance would have had I would have done it before launching. If anyone ever buys an "EasyLoader" bunk trailer either move the post forward or go for a size bigger than they reccomend.

Moving the axel as Des suggests wouldn't be a major job (although would need to launch the boat first) - but not sure it is necessary any more?

No camera with me this weekend, but will post some pics of her as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks,

NEIL

The Jackeens · 19 September 2005, 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

No camera with me this weekend, but will post some pics of her as soon as I get the chance.

Thanks,

NEIL

Looks very interesting Neil!

Congrats on the new boat.

Look forward to those photos.

Us