BWM - Animal

Nauti Buoy · 30 April 2006, 18:16

Does anyone know much more about these ribs/hulls as far as handling goes?

All I know is that they are tubed by Henshaws, and that they are a stepped hull, similar to the Regal Hardboat Design.

Going to have a Demo on the 6.5m tomorrow, just browsing at this point, also going to be looking at Ribex.

These are some pics taken off of a mobile camera phone

Jimbo · 30 April 2006, 19:36

Richard,

I went on one of these at Southampton Boat Show, and have to say I was not particularly impressed!

It was a sit on Rib rather than a sit in rib, and the seats were mighty uncomfortable, too tall, too narrow, and too close to the console. It also wasn't as well finished as some I've been on!

Light Hulls + Built in South Africa would lead me to start worrying (possibly unnecessarily, but I'd worry about them all the same!) and I don't feel the hull was particularly good at what little chop we did encounter. Very narrow and shallow hull.

The demo chap was reluctant to turn the boat anywhere approaching hard, and when I finally got him to put a decent bit of turn on, the back stepped out like anything.

That said - the one we were demoed on only had a small engine, and planed very quickly, with an impressive claimed top speed. They also look cool with the Animal logos on them!

Not something I would be considering, but that's only a personal view based on the demo I took (I never even found out prices/specs etc, so it is not a complete view!).

Andy_Rs600 · 30 April 2006, 19:59

We used to have an old BWM 6.8m. Not sure how much it has in common with whats on the market now.

It was a very shallow hull, blisteringly fast and quick up on to the plane. Very dry, but uncomfortable ride in any chop, paticularly upwind. Also, it was very light construction, and had a bit of a tendancy to crak in places of heavy load. Good for easy conditions or if you're after speed in a straight line, but not rough weather or working boats.

tcwozere · 30 April 2006, 20:02

Break open the piggy bank Richard, and buy that speedboat..

Nauti Buoy · 30 April 2006, 20:03

Jimbo and Andy, were the hulls this shape? I am more swayed to Ribcraft but just looking about, to see whats what.

Nauti Buoy · 30 April 2006, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

Break open the piggy bank Richard, and buy that speedboat..

hmmmmmmm that Hunton was stunning, and even better curves than the Lady on it!!!

They do Ribs too but would not like to guess how much for!!!

http://www.hunton.co.uk/ribs.htm

Now that might need more than 1 piggy bank!!!

Jimbo · 30 April 2006, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Jimbo and Andy, were the hulls this shape? I am more swayed to Ribcraft but just looking about, to see whats what.

I didn't see it out of the water I'm afraid.

Go for the Ribcraft - I KNOW they're good!

Have you looked at Ribquest? They seem to be doing some nice packages.

tcwozere · 30 April 2006, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

hmmmmmmm that Hunton was stunning, and even better curves than the Lady on it!!!

yeah.. those curves...

Jimbo · 30 April 2006, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

yeah.. those curves...

I say wot the name of the boat says...

Nauti Buoy · 30 April 2006, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

yeah.. those curves...

All I will say is I must have had the wrong eye covered!!!!

Andy_Rs600 · 01 May 2006, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Jimbo and Andy, were the hulls this shape? I am more swayed to Ribcraft but just looking about, to see whats what.

No, our hull was much shallower, twin parallel rails stopping about 70cm from the bow, and a big planning pad.

We've just replaced it with a new Ribcraft 6.3 which is, without doubt, the best RIB i've driven. Someone i work with has a 6.5 tornado, and that's about the only boat i can compare it with. Ride is fantastic (1st day out was in a F8 on the south side of the isle of wight), loads of lift for carrying divers, and the quality of all the glass work is first class.

We've got a 150 Opti on the back, which is currently giving us 38 knots 4 up, but not quite enought torque for 10 divers. I would probably say a bigger engine would be better 'cause the stern is a bit light at speed we we're not loaded.

Nauti Buoy · 01 May 2006, 20:27

Had a look at this Rib today in more detail and have decided against it. Went our in the Zar 650 and was very impressed..... so we'l see.

codprawn · 01 May 2006, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_Rs600

No, our hull was much shallower, twin parallel rails stopping about 70cm from the bow, and a big planning pad.

We've just replaced it with a new Ribcraft 6.3 which is, without doubt, the best RIB i've driven. Someone i work with has a 6.5 tornado, and that's about the only boat i can compare it with. Ride is fantastic (1st day out was in a F8 on the south side of the isle of wight), loads of lift for carrying divers, and the quality of all the glass work is first class.

We've got a 150 Opti on the back, which is currently giving us 38 knots 4 up, but not quite enought torque for 10 divers. I would probably say a bigger engine would be better 'cause the stern is a bit light at speed we we're not loaded.

Try some different props - our local club has a humber with a suzuki 140hp 4 stroke and that carries 10 divers fine - not as quick as the Suzuki 200hp one thopugh - but uses a lot less fuel....

Andy_Rs600 · 02 May 2006, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Try some different props - our local club has a humber with a suzuki 140hp 4 stroke and that carries 10 divers fine - not as quick as the Suzuki 200hp one thopugh - but uses a lot less fuel....

We are going to prop it down, but what i meant was with the 150 on it the stern is quite light. It skipps out quite easily when it's empty. I think is bigger lump of metal on the back would be better