Seafighter 42 - Twin 425hp XTO Yamahas

TECHNOHULL GTX – 2 x 300hp Verado 4.6L V8

RIBCO Blade 30 – Twin Merc’s 3.4L 225hp

TECHNOHULL GTX – 2 x 300hp Verado 4.6L V8

RIBCO Blade 30 – Twin Merc’s 3.4L 225hp

Seafighter 42 - Twin 425hp XTO Yamahas

By Thomas P.

Both the high quality of construction and finish as well as the particularly beautiful and aggressive design of its boats are the distinct features of Seafighter, which enters the category of 12-meter inflatable boats, claiming with its worth a significant share of the relevant market. SFR 42 is the brand new model and flagship of the Seafighter yard which just hit the water a few days ago, and e-Ribbing.com was pleased and honored to be the first to be invited for its maiden test and presentation to its thousands of readers.

Seafighter 42 could be characterized as a very fast sporty cruiser since even with the minimum possible horsepower on its transom she is able to comfortably maintain cruising speeds greater than 40 knots, while her walk around cabin provides all the comforts we need to be autonomous for multi-day vacation.There can be no doubt that this is a pure inflatable boat, the aggressive exterior design of which blends very harmoniously with the design lines of the cabin and T-top while ensuring huge spaces on deck.

Focusing mainly on the comfortable and safe movement of the passengers on board, she is a complete proposal for living on board, ensuring a huge area of gathering and dining in the stern, while in the bow area there is also a huge lounge that can very easily be converted into a large sunbathing area and relaxation.

SFR 42 runs on a newly designed deep-V hull, the characteristics of which guarantee very good off shore performance and of course soft navigation.

On each side we can see three spray rails that end up to the transom of the Rib and the double chine configuration which translates into an increase in the useful width of the deck.

With an entry angle of 49 degrees and a deadrise of 24 degrees at the transom, without a pad configuration, the hull of SFR 42 is characterized by the presence of three ventilated steps with particularly strong and strict design features that, as they have proven, “work” excellently in any condition.

On Deck

The main and at the same time top feature of SFR 42 is her walkaround cabin, which is low enough to fit harmoniously with the clean and sporty lines of the Rib, yet ensuring ample spaces inside.

The widest point of the deck is in the pilot station area, which ensures large external dimensions both for the cabin which measures 1.84m maximum width and for its sliding door which measures 0.75m wide.

The hard top is also very nicely designed and blends in harmoniously with the general deck layout offering the necessary shade for the crew while it has a huge surface that allows us to mount large solar panels as well as searchlights, masts, radar and the corresponding antennas of our equipment

In its center, it is supported by a beautifully designed pillar which is bolted to a polyester structure, in the forward part of which the 3 independent helm seats are accommodated, while in the rear section is the three-seater sofa facing the stern, under which is accommodated a huge 95 liter fridge.

Entering from the spacious entrance, two steps lead us to the head of the cabin where we also measured its maximum height of 1.84 meters.

On the port is the wooden door that leads to the comfortable and independent bathroom, which with dimensions of 1.80m x 1.16m x 1.00m has a wc, sink and large storage spaces for its necessary equipment.

When we want to spend the night on board, the cabin lounge quickly turns into a comfortable double berth with an average width of 1.37m. On the side surfaces there are a total of four hatches that lead to very useful and independent storage spaces, while under the front cushion is the largest locker of the cabin.

The pilot station is configured on three levels which have the appropriate inclinations for the correct reception of the instruments as well as for their immediate inspection by the captain and co-pilot, who also enjoy excellent visibility towards the bow in any driving position.

On the upper level are the 12-inch Garmin screens, which give us all the information about our engines as well as all those elements necessary for navigation, while just below the bow thruster panel, the electric switches and the boat’s VHF are located.f

On the middle level are the chain meter panel, the source of the audio system, three cup holders in a row, while centrally dominating the Yamaha’s Helm master’s unique aesthetic joystick that greatly simplifies the handling of the boat especially when we are in busy marinas.

At the lowest level and placed slightly to the port is the steering wheel, which has the appropriate height and inclination while the engine controls are further to the starboard ensuring a restful and comfortable position for the skipper’s hand.

To the right and left of the cabin are 32cm wide passageways which ensure our comfortable movement giving easy and safe access to the bow area. A large seat has been integrated into the front part of the cabin which, with a width of 1.13 m, can comfortably accommodate 3 adults, while it is an ideal place to enjoy our journey when the weather conditions allow it.

In the bow area, a spacious V-shaped lounge is formed under the cushions of which three very useful and independent storage spaces are accommodated.

By placing the corresponding addition it can be transformed into a spacious sunbathing and relaxation berth with a maximum width of 1.66m and a length exceeding 2m on its side surfaces.

Above the junction of the air chambers is the huge hard nose which is lined with teak wood and ensures our comfortable and safe entry and exit from the boat.

The hatch located on its upper surface gives access to the vast locker that accommodates the windlass and the anchor chain, while at the entrance of the bow and a few centimeters below the junction of the air chambers is the stainless slot where the stainless anchor nestles, leaving completely free the surface of the hard nose, also emphasizing the high level of aesthetics and helping to maintain the aggressive line of the boat.

The stern area has clean design lines, is huge and is the main gathering area of the Rib with the ability to accommodate a large number of people. The three-seater settee, 1.37m wide, located behind the helm seats, and the four-seater aft settee, 1.51m wide, make up a large lounge, while there is a 87cm of free space between them where a table can be placed forming a large dining area. To the right and left of the aft seating area there are also large passageways that facilitate the movement of passengers and give direct and safe access to the engines’ area.

Behind the backrest of the aft sofa is the corresponding sundeck which, with dimensions of 1.72m x 0.95m, is a comfortable relaxation area, under which is the spacious locker that houses the boat’s batteries, the sewage tank and the fresh water tank , while if we want it, it can be configured into a large tent-type cabin.

At Sea

Seafighter 42 was launched for the first time with a pair of XTO 425hp Yamaha engines on her transom, the lower units of which were turning the 16 1/8΄΄ x 23΄΄ 3-blade propellers with a gear ratio of 1.79:1. Not knowing anything about the above combination and having no point of reference, we were quite reserved as 850 horses seemed hardly to propel such a large vessel.

I was standing speechless behind the steering wheel, trying to get a first feel of this unprecedented set-up so that I would be able to evaluate it objectively and ascertain its true capabilities.We were a crew of 2, with 500 liters of fuel and the basic equipment of the boat.

For quite some time I experimented with the throttle in combination with the trim position in order to achieve the most appropriate combination of them to maximize performance. It didn’t take me long to find out that SFR 42 literally did not care about the 850 horses of the powerful engines while the throttle response was not satisfactory and it was becoming obvious that a large part of the huge reserves of torque was translated into slip resulting in the Rib reacting with a delay without any explosiveness. These ascertainments were particularly intense at low and medium rpm, with the result that we have no possibility of direct and fast maneuvers, essentially canceling one of the biggest advantages that characterize the inflatable boat.

Nevertheless, we could very easily reach the excellent top speed of 54 knots, while we saw extremely low consumptions in the range of 28-32 knots where of course SFR 42 seemed to be stalled.

The weather conditions were very good and so we quite often crossed our wakes noting and, more so collecting, the very soft damping that this particular hull can achieve. No matter how fast we run along, our passage was delightful as the bow of the boat proudly was passing over them, literally indifferent to their existence.
SFR 42 cruised superbly maintaining a great riding angle even at low speeds, without raising her bow high as a result of which we had full line of sight with the sea even just a few meters ahead, a fact very important when we need to travel with high speeds in bad weather conditions.

Rib was standing on plane at 2400 rpm maintaining a constant speed of 12 knots, accelerating to 30 knots in 13 seconds and reaching 40 knots in 22 seconds.
Especially long times that attest to the feeling of lag we received due to the unsuitable propellers combined with the obvious low mounting height of the engines.
At 3000 rpm we were cruising at 20 knots burning 3.4 liters per nautical mile, while at 3500 rpm we were running at 26 knots consuming 3.3 liters per mile.
At 4000 rpm our speed reached 31 knots, where we also recorded the most economical cruising speed burning 3.2 liters for every nautical mile.
At 4500 rpm we were cruising along at a very pleasant 39 knots burning 3.7 liters per mile, while at 5000 rpm we were running at 44.5 knots consuming 4.1 liters per mile.
At WOT, SFR 42 reached a top speed of 54 knots with the engines reaching 5800 rpm, very close to their manufacturer’s recommended maximum limit.

You can see the detailed measurements in the table below:

Performance data by e-Ribbing

The numbers we have recorded may be satisfactory for the size of the boat, but a closer look at the slip values combined with the feeling we got leave no doubt about the inappropriateness of both the propellers we were wearing and the height of the engines.

The slip values were too high at low and medium rpm and definitely not satisfactory at high engine rpm.
Ιn this class of Ribs and according to the use for which they are intended, we must focus mainly on improving the performance at low and medium rpm, sacrificing many times some knots of top speed.

Therefore, under this prism, it is recommended to install the engines higher in combination with XTO EC propellers with dimensions of 16 5/8΄΄ x 20΄΄. These small but much targeted changes will allow the boat to feel better on the water and the engines to reach their maximum rpm limit even with full loads. The throttle response and the midrange acceleration will be completely felt, while at the same time the handling and flexibility of the Rib will be dramatically improved, essential elements that will allow us to travel with claims and of course will highlight the unique characteristics of the SFR 42 hull.

…keep Ribbing!