SPENCER 57 IPS

[billschwabe]

It's a combination of owners and builders keeping the boat on a diet and realising weight plays a huge role in performance. Those numbers on the 57 are just about what we found, every 1500 lbs added equates to roughly a knot of speed lost in the same hull. Cold molded boats tend to be slightly heavier than their plank on frame counterparts but also much stronger and capable of withstanding the punishment these higher speeds place on them. Cold-molded composite construction is bringing those weights back down now as builders are incorporating more and more into the hulls. Of course, most owners are taking advantage of the "extra" they can add and loading them back up but it helps to start out light anyway.
That 61 we built back in 98 weighs in at 48,000 fully loaded and I'm sure we could shave that down some today with the newer materials and techniques available we didn't have back then.

[kkol]

That 61 we built back in 98 weighs in at 48,000 fully loaded and I'm sure we could shave that down some today with the newer materials and techniques available we didn't have back then.

A fully loaded 61' Convertible at 48,000 lbs is a formidable - FORMIDABLE ! - undertaking if you are looking for 40 knot top end, 400 NM range and with the usual amenities expected today.
Regardless if you power it with pods or IB you will have 10,000 lbs of propulsion HW and another 10,000 lbs of fluids. The challenge then would be to finish the rest of a 61' (With genset, AC, refrigerators, freezers, ice maker, entertainment system, cabinets, couches, bunks, heads, showers, etc. etc.) at 28,000 lbs or 460 lbs/ft. Bare bone charter spec - perhaps.

Karl

[billschwabe]

A fully loaded 61' Convertible at 48,000 lbs is a formidable - FORMIDABLE ! - undertaking if you are looking for 40 knot top end, 400 NM range and with the usual amenities expected today.
Regardless if you power it with pods or IB you will have 10,000 lbs of propulsion HW and another 10,000 lbs of fluids. The challenge then would be to finish the rest of a 61' (With genset, AC, refrigerators, freezers, ice maker, entertainment system, cabinets, couches, bunks, heads, showers, etc. etc.) at 28,000 lbs or 460 lbs/ft. Bare bone charter spec - perhaps.

Karl

You aren't kidding, it's definitely a challenge! You're dead on with your propulsion and fluid weights when you figure shafts/struts/rudders and all. Cored hull sides, cabin, boxes etc, honeycomb decks, all interior bulkheads and cabinetry, even countertops both solid surface and granite/marble are all ways we (Paul and a few progressive custom builders) are shaving it. That 61 has 1100 gal fuel, 250 water, 16KW NL genset, Corian throughout, Italian tile floors, Eskimo ice machine, two fridges, chest freezer, watermaker, washer/dryer, multiple AC's etc. and that full wet weight also included sets of 30's 50's, 80's and 130's and the spare wheels. Bare bone charter spec? Not exactly!

[Flatdog]

I have yet to have anyone convince me that a "pod" system (IPS or Zues) is the way to go. From my education at sea, simpler is better. With the torque loss, complication in drive system, and the numerous "fault" code's that they can send, etc..... I just don't see anyway they can be more robust, dependable, fixable, cheaper to own, have longevity over conventional shaft to prop system that have been out for ever. I have nothing against a better "mousetrap", but this one is beyond me. Aqua jet propulsion was the anwser to all thing's wrong when they came out. In some application's a jet is great I agree, but for the average boat owner it's a no go. Please, someone enlighten me!!!!! Not trying to start an arguement, just trying to see the logic here. Frank

You are a man of my own heart KISS (keep it simple shithead) so what is the main part "motors" not (drive trains pods zues ips) modern motors are all the same and have the same problems common rail, computer controlled,cannot fix at sea, need a computer chip when you do not have one type motors, here is a bunch been around for a long time problem with these guys is weight of the motors, tell them the Hp you want they will do it , should you need to remove a single pot out of the motor you can ! even at sea basic motor now tie that to ips ,zues mmmmmmmmmmm

http://www.moteurs-baudouin.fr/
click on uk flag for English great bunch of guys great motors explore the site

[kkol]

Understand that Spencer launched a 61' Convertible last week. This one also with the IPS system. Rumor has it that it ran 38 knots and .5 NM/gal at 30 yielding 750 NM range.

Karl

[kkol]

The egg beaters on the "Lady Luck" raised enough fish to win the Mid 500 White Marlin Div. last 2 years back to back, and they slayed a shit load of Tuna on her,as well as catchin the 1st Blue Marlin in OCMD Marlin Club this year. To answer your question yeah them egg beaters will raise some fish !!

Ran across a Volvo ad from 2010 listing IPS powered SF boats and tournaments:

Spencer 70' "Pentagone" - Won a daily at 2010 OCWMO and 2010 Pirates Cove
Spencer 54' "Scandalous" - Won the Tuna category and second place BM at 2010 OCWMO
Spencer 49' "Svengali" - 1:st place Bahama Wahoo Championship 2010 and 3:rd in 2010 Custom Shootout
"Lucky Lady" mentioned too but you covered her
Seevee 39' "Kimbuktu" - 1:st place Bahama Wahoo Championship 2009 and 2:nd 2010 Mayors Cup SF series

[belmarphil]

Was on the 57 when it was in the shop being built, badass boat talked to paul spencer personally about it, easily one of the badest. most efficient boats build, with this boat you spend literally half the time at the gas dock then other conventioal rigs of same size. thats a no brainer to want it. another reason you get an extra state room because the pods take up so much less space then conventional motors do. this boat was build to raise fish, all it needs its a window mask and a tower and it will be more then dangerous in tournaments. he just launched a 87 ips with 4 volvos in it called Betsy, very badass. Spencer is leading the way with Ritchie Howell who is moving up to pods now, in the way of more modern techniques. I love the conventional boats, they will never die out this is simpily a new way to do things much like express or flybridge.. its all preference. Also the pods make it more open to first time owner/operators who are skiddish with single lever docking it eases the possible anxiety. this boat is maneuverable. fast. efficient. fishable. what more could you ask for. all you need for the 57 is a little over 2.3 mil and its all yours for the taking.

[FlyingTime]

Betsy has quad ZF large pods to C18 Acerts... Those guys are leading the way for sure.

[scattered_grass]

Betsy has quad ZF large pods to C18 Acerts... Those guys are leading the way for sure.

They can have the lead then. I don't want 4 props on my boat regardless of what they are attached to..

[FlyingTime]

8 props, and me neither...