boat advice opinions...

We've got an older Carribean Reef Runner, think it was purchased 2nd hand in the mid 80's. Its 21 foot with an inboard/outboard Mercruiser about 200hp, mmm another V8:twisted:, as mentioned nice and solid. The engine had the cast iron manifolds which rusted through but has been fitted with stainless water cooled exhaust manifold but hasn't been back in the water since these were fitted so am unable to comment on how this has improved performance.

It has the lockable cabin which has the toilet. Can sleep 2 in the cabin which is handy if your wanting to stay out overnight fishing. We've fitted an electric winch on the anchor chain for ease of use. I believe they are a similar design to the Bertram boats. The trailer is a dual axle and also has an electric winch (wouldn't want to try and manually winch it up:eek:).

It has a fixed roof, which is good for kids to jump off:D or sunbake on .... oops I mean additional places to fish from. Also is shade which is nice when out fishing in the hot sun.

You definately know its behind you in the rangie 3.5V8, the deck is above the roof of the car.

Just some thoughts, by the sound of it ours is a bit bigger than the one you're looking at.

Hobie sounds like he has one of the better ones, the old Carribeans were exceptionally strong, well laid hulls, there are still plenty around and this is always good testament to a design,

Hobie18 et al has (have) a very valid point.

What's your tow car, 5teve?

GQ

a chipped td5 disco II with SLS.... towing shouldnt be a problem!

yeah good point about the carribean... if the '97 is a good hull too... but its only 6.3... hobies sounds bigger... good opinion on its uses tho...

the only testament im going to get an honest opinion is my own isnt it? there are for and againsts on both... we will take them both out... and i'll also take all of your opinions into account..

the dealer isnt a tohatsu person... but seems to think they are ok... he has a suzuki 4 stroke on his... the evinrudes are that bad eh?

maybe right about the anti foul... we were worried it may of been stored in the water.. but it doesnt look overly corroded... although the anodes will need replacing at some point soon..

thanks again guys

Steve

zillions of dead suzuki 2 stroke motors litter the dead boat yard landscape...

i've had several evinrudes from new which have suffered from appalling ex factory delivery:

a new 70 hp 3cyl drunk juice like there was no tomorrow and every day of its short life, lost numerous nuts;

when that motor was a week old, it was the cause of an 'official rescue' off Syd Hds, very embarrassing for the supplier (OMC, I seem to recall), who was a sponsor of the tv program we were making at the time...

the auxilary never worked when it was needed, but ran up back at the office okay:eek::eek::eek:

a little 6hp evinrggrrgggrr on a zodiac also worked okay upstream, for about ten minutes before expiring....

never had prob with the tohatsu's:D:D:D

no prob with the towcar, there, 5teve!!!

GQ

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Originally Posted by 5teve

Look up for comments... some great points made thanks...

we have just found out that SWMBO's boss has just spent a lot of money again with the guy we are dealing with... and has a lot of sway with him... so has told us to give him what for with the offer etc...

the nice thing is that the carribean wont be going anywhere as the guy isnt actively selling it... the stacer on the otherhand... well dunno how long it will last..

Shorty...

you sound like a fibreglass man! i have found you are either one or the other... so thanks for your opinions.. and especially the hope that there is a deisel outboard... i can imagine they are great BUT... i cannot find any info on them at all ... or the ones i can are all teeny 35hp engines... i'll need at least a 150 on the carribean... i'll assume as they are pretty specialist that they wont come cheap... i always wanted one based my impression of the TD5... i have been impressed with it... i wouldnt want to go back to petrol (until the td5 rapes my wallet :D )

Again thanks so much for the help...

Steve

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I'm actually a timber sailing ship man. I don't even like glass over timber.
I can barely tolerate plywood, but at least it is wood.

When it comes to power, a well designed hull should only need it's own length in engine power to get up to full theoretical hull speed. Then you might need to triple or even quadruple that to get onto the plane, if she is a planing hull.

Diesel outboards. Cat make them, big ones, up to 2,500 HP. Is that enough?:D

Bearing in mind of course, you'll have to find a way to hang a quad turbo'd, V12 off the back.:twisted:

I've been out of the profession for about ten years now, but I will have a quick hunt around, see what I can find.

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Diesel outboards. Cat make them, big ones, up to 2,500 HP. Is that enough?

Bearing in mind of course, you'll have to find a way to hang a quad turbo'd, V12 off the back.

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Oh is that all... no problems a couple of high tensile bolts should see that right and about a million metres cubed of foam stuffed into the mod pod on the rear :p now what size prop would i be looking for???!?!?

i'd appreciate you haveing a look and letting me know!

wow this really is a great site... with great members!

Thanks

Steve

More mister.

A Google search turned up this in about an hour.

http://www.fishnboat.com.au/stocklist.htm

http://www.woodenboatshop.com.au/

http://www.yanmar.com.au/marine/D%20...736details.htm

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2123...91848696cMMtdq

http://www.yanmar.com.au/marine/d_series/dseries.htm

http://independent-outboard-sales.tr...esel-Outboards

It seems they are a hot item and made of "unobtainium".:(

The /rides/webshots link is a curiosity from 1976. An Italian built Carniti Diesel Outboard.

Most of the information I found was from the UK and Alaska. Diesel outboards in general public use are a rarity in Aus.

am I right in thinking antifoul paint is not the slipperyist thing around?

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Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

am I right in thinking antifoul paint is not the slipperyist thing around?

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Yeah you are. And most antifoul will deteriorate when not immersed in water. Ablative antifoul will be ok on a trailer boat though.