175 or 200 on an Osprey 6.5 vipermax???

[Erin]

Well the hull's now finished and tubes are on, so i'll be off to collect very soon. Attention must now be turned to kitting her out.

So quite simply, assuming I stick with Suzuki, do I go for a 200 weighing 263kg or for a 175 at 220kg. Will the extra 25 horses be lost by the extra weight? A 14% increase in power for a 19% increase in weight! And before you all shout and say get an Etec, it hasn't been ruled out.

Any thoughts gentlemen?

[Downhilldai]

The 19% additional weight is only the motor - what is the proportional weight increase for the entire rig? 43kg extra on a 1000kg-ish boat is only around 4% - Go for the 200
A 3.6 litre V6 will give bags more torque than a 2.9 litre in-line 4 and make the boat a much better all-round performer, which easily justifies the marginal extra cost to me.

[Petrov]

Installed a Suz 175 on a Viper Max 6,5m, we achieved 46,7 knots.
Would have prefered the V6, not only for speed, less sound and better torque.

[Hightower]

Go for the 200, if nothing else it will give better resale value. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.

[Mollers]

I reckon that I'm reasonably well qualified to comment on this one, go for the 200.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I reckon that I'm reasonably well qualified to comment on this one, go for the 200.

Yep i'd go for 200 49kts + and i run with a 15 2st aux and 25l fuel on the back

200 optimax and 4 pairs of ear muffs

[Petrov]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Yep i'd go for 200 49kts + and i run with a 15 2st aux and 25l fuel on the back

200 optimax and 4 pairs of ear muffs

You should be able to get +- 52knots with a 200hp 2-stroke (depending on brand)
Can you fitt the engine higher?
Do you have any pics of the boat.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Petrov

You should be able to get +- 52knots with a 200hp 2-stroke (depending on brand)
Can you fitt the engine higher?
Do you have any pics of the boat.

Which brand?

[Petrov]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Which brand?

Did 52knots with a Yamaha 200HPDI, offcourse everything depends on eqiupment etc, thats why i wanted se pics of the boat.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I reckon that I'm reasonably well qualified to comment on this one, go for the 200.

There's an earlier thread debating the same point here:
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11909



Mollers contributed on that one too:

Originally Posted by Mollers

I think that there is a danger of being "Power crazy". Considering that all outboards have a similar top rev range. If it's out and out speed that you're after, then yes you can run perhaps a higher pitched prop with more HP.But, when you have 6.5m Rib, running it's max HP engine and propped up, the slightest bit of sea and you won't be running it flat out unless you have balls of steel. On the other hand extra power is good when regularly carrying a boatfull of people, divers etc. How often do we run WOT? The fuel useage goes into orbit. Race prepped 6.5m Vipermax's ran 150's, which begs a question.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Petrov

Did 52knots with a Yamaha 200HPDI, offcourse everything depends on eqiupment etc, thats why i wanted se pics of the boat.

No pics yet. I haven't got the boat home yet, it's still oop norf. Next week maybe

I think 52 knots will be more than fast enough. I haven't told the girlfriend it's gonna go faster than the last one. She thought 36 was fast enough Probably best I don't say anything. Just find a good calm day and let her drive and open it up and wait for the grin

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

There's an earlier thread debating the same point here:
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11909



Mollers contributed on that one too:

Yep, gonna put a 150 on the next one also. 'Ave you popped a 'Jardon' pill or something?

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Yep, gonna put a 150 on the next one also. 'Ave you popped a 'Jardon' pill or something?

No, I just highly value your opinion on these matters - 150s are good

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

There's an earlier thread debating the same point here:
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11909

Interesting how opinions change. Whilst Hugh obviously went for the 200, it seems most people thought a 175 would be enough for him. I think it'll have to be a 200. I'll only regret it otherwise. i was just concerned about the extra weight.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Erin

Interesting how opinions change. Whilst Hugh obviously went for the 200, it seems most people thought a 175 would be enough for him. I think it'll have to be a 200. I'll only regret it otherwise. i was just concerned about the extra weight.

But that was Hugh, an ex-Shetland riverboat racer.

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Erin

. i was just concerned about the extra weight.

so would I be ! I think the 175 lump would provide you with enough and is considerably lighter smaller

[Erin]

Any thoughts on fuel economy then? Would a lower stressed/revved 200 show a measurable saving against a 175 running at closer to WOT?

[Chris]

Etec 200HP weighs in at 194KG so best of both

[Rogue Wave]

Yeah Etec's deserve respect!

I have experience of running both the 150 and 200 opti's on charter boat's that means long days mostly at WOT and some other fkkr paying for the fuel

The 200 burned 90l an hour at WOT and the 150 used to run at around 65/70 so I presume the 175 would come in the middle.

My suggestion was made more on balance and handling than consumption. I drove a 150 Vipermax and it seemed really well balanced, but hey, if the 200 gives you a bigger stiffy then go for it

[Erin]

I'm erring towards a 175. If this year is anything to go by I won't need WOT cos it'll be just to rough for it.