Recent addition to the fleet!

Ajsimp · 02 May 2021, 00:27

I bought this back in November as a project but it’s condition is fantastic! It used to be a fisheries patrol boat on the west coast of Ireland. As such it is built like a tank with failsafes for everything! Even the self righting system is fully serviced!
I only got her wet last week as I was conscious of the lockdown still in place here. It’s not the kind of rib I’m used to, it tops out @ 36knts but it can handle any swell. It feels extremely solid & heavy but it gives you huge confidence.
I still have a ribeye s650 which is nimbler and more fun. But I can only keep one!
The new (to me!) Rib is a 8m Excalibur, powered by twin Yamaha 115’s. It does take awhile to plane. I’m used to something much quicker, for example last year I sold a 8.5m rib powered by twin Honda 225’s. That would top out at just over 60knts. However it was an extremely wet ride fuel on the west coast here means carrying Jerry cans and it was thirsty!!
I am completely torn as to which boat to keep! One is sporty and quick, the other is like a tank! Also I don’t know when I would come across such a well thought out and well put together as the Excalibur!

Ajsimp · 02 May 2021, 00:29

Apologies, I can’t seem to upload any photos!

willk · 02 May 2021, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajsimp

I am completely torn as to which boat to keep! One is sporty and quick, the other is like a tank! Also I don’t know when I would come across such a well thought out and well put together as the Excalibur!

Get shot of the Fibeye and keep the Scallyburd. Twin 115s is ideal for the water-rats cruising around busting the wee mans net, but it will feel kinda lardy after the suncruiser. That said, it will blat through all seas at 25kts all day and handle waaaay more chop. If it was mine I'd probably want to strip some of the weight out of it and that would include the entire self righting system. I'd sell it all on to some RNLI wannabe and maybe re-rig the boat with a single 250 or 300hp - but next year, unless a couple of highly desirable 115s shook out a good deal somewhere.