Valiant or Humber ?

[yorfuoj]

In France there is a forum, "pneuboat.com" where Valiant owners are reporting a lot of very bad defects on their Valiant GRP, like broken transom, broken hull, lack of reliable after-sale, etc ... so take care !

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by yorfuoj

In France there is a forum, "pneuboat.com" where Valiant owners are reporting a lot of very bad defects on their Valiant GRP, like broken transom, broken hull, lack of reliable after-sale, etc ... so take care !

I think the problem is the 490 is rated for 80hp but many of the modern 4 strokes are way too heavy for them .

Would be better if they gave a wieght limit as well as power

[GRAHAM SOMERS]

The Valiant 490 RIB was tested by the RNLI with 10 other 5 metre RIBs in a feasibility study off Appledore in North Devon. The extensive sea trials took place over 2 days to assertain the small RIB V Class D Inshore Lifeboats inflatable, and to evaluate the pros and cons of both types of boat.
Valiant according to the RNLI was the best performing RIB out of the 11, and is the only 5 metre RIB that wll perform in a surf.
Valiant is the second largest RIB Manufactuer in Europe, behind Zodiac,building boats from 2.4 metres to 12 metres. Apart from Leisure use they supply the French, Spanish & Portuguese Navy.
The Company is owned 100% by Brunswick who are the largest Marine Company in the World. They own Sealine, Searay, Bayliner, Boston Whaler,
Maxum,Mercury, Mariner, Mercruiser etc.
The 490 is available in Leisure spec ( Vanguard ) or Semi Commercial ( DR).
Tube options are Haku PVC which carries a 5 year warranty with seams, or Akron PU which carries a 10 year tube warranty.

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by GRAHAM SOMERS

The Valiant 490 RIB was tested by the RNLI with 10 other 5 metre RIBs in a feasibility study off Appledore in North Devon. The extensive sea trials took place over 2 days to assertain the small RIB V Class D Inshore Lifeboats inflatable, and to evaluate the pros and cons of both types of boat.
Valiant according to the RNLI was the best performing RIB out of the 11, and is the only 5 metre RIB that wll perform in a surf.
Valiant is the second largest RIB Manufactuer in Europe, behind Zodiac,building boats from 2.4 metres to 12 metres. Apart from Leisure use they supply the French, Spanish & Portuguese Navy.
The Company is owned 100% by Brunswick who are the largest Marine Company in the World. They own Sealine, Searay, Bayliner, Boston Whaler,
Maxum,Mercury, Mariner, Mercruiser etc.
The 490 is available in Leisure spec ( Vanguard ) or Semi Commercial ( DR).
Tube options are Haku PVC which carries a 5 year warranty with seams, or Akron PU which carries a 10 year tube warranty.

The RNLI aren't boat snobs I guess .its a good little boat for the money i think . Mine certainly wen't through some rough enough water without any concerns
However Iam surprised it was the best , I would have thought the likes of ribcraft 4.8 etc would have been better , and why they say it was the only boat that was good in surf beats me , what makes one better than another in surf ? all i can think of is drainage , but the valiant dosn't exactly have huge drainage trunks

You can buy a tidy 490 like I had 2001 with an up to date 4 stroke for around 6k .There isn't much about that meets those critria .

[Jon H]

I want to thanlk you all for yoru replies

Most informative

The comments ref the RNLI have really settled my mind on the sea worthness

Much appreciated

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Jon H

I want to thanlk you all for yoru replies

Most informative

The comments ref the RNLI have really settled my mind on the sea worthness

Much appreciated

There are certainly no issues with seaworthyness . Its easy for owners of large very expensive boats to knock small mass produced boats .

[Jon H]

Thanks for this

Super reply

[Jon H]

Having looked at the black humber I think I may put in a call

Do you know the guy ?

I can stretch a bit of 6K but not 6.8

But it does look the biz

[Jon H]

Invaluable help

I bought the Valiant yesterday

Cheers