Focchi 480 – Mercury EFI 60hp Four stroke
OLR 40SR – 2 x 400hp V10 Mercs
Focchi 480 – Mercury EFI 60hp Four stroke
OLR 40SR – 2 x 400hp V10 Mercs
Stingher 28 GT – 5.7L V10 Verado 350hp
Starring Mercury's iconic 350hp V10 engine hanging on the transom of the brand new Stingher 28 GT, we spent some enjoyable testing hours at sea which left us with a strong impression of smooth and nice operation across the whole rpm range, and a wonderfully quiet and harmonious melody that sounded seductively in our ears even when we approached its maximum rpm limit.
It was the first time we tested the new V10 engine in a single-engine installation, so we could better feel its high level of operation as well as the high reserves of torque that were immediately noticeable even at the gentle touch of the throttle lever.Thoroughly impressed, I let the Rib cruise us along for a long time while adding 5 knots to our course every minute, until the engine reached 5500 rpm keeping the vibration and sound levels almost unchanged, leaving us to enjoy the adrenaline of high speed with all our senses.
We had already tested Stingher 28 GT a few months ago with the twin 225hp Mercury V6 engines on her transom and she had impressed us with her performance. You can see the detailed test of the above combination at the following link and make the corresponding comparisons.
At sea
The weather conditions may have been very good on the day of our sea trial, but everything indicated that we had in our hands a boat with a very solid construction that responded admirably with Mercury's new V10 350hp engine on her transom.With a 2.08:1 gear ratio, the engine's lower unit was turning the new 4-blade, 23-inch of pitch Revolution X propeller, reaching 2,836 rpm.
With a crew of 2, 350 liters of fuel and all the equipment on board, Stingher 28 GT was standing on plane at 2000 rpm maintaining a speed of 10 knots.
Throttle response was very good but by no means can we claim that the accelerations were explosive, nor can they compare to the feeling we got when we tested the 28 GT with the pair of 225hp engines on her transom.
At 3000 rpm, we were cruising at 16.5 knots burning 1.63 liters per nautical mile, while at 3500 rpm our speed was 24.3 knots with consumption remaining almost constant at 1.6 liters per mile.
When the tachometer read 4000 rpm we were running at 31.3 knots recording the most economical consumption burning 1.59 liters per mile.
So we notice that we can maintain cruising speeds between 24 and 32 knots, depending on the weather conditions, keeping consumption low and increasing our autonomy which reaches 220 nautical miles when we have our tank full with 350 liters of fuel.
At 4500 rpm Stingher 28 GT was cruising at 36.5 knots and the engine was asking for more fuel with consumption reaching 1.7 liters per nautical mile, while at 5000 rpm we were running at 41.7 knots burning 2.25 liters per mile.
At full throttle we reached 49 knots with the engine reaching just 5900 rpm, staying far away of the manufacturer's recommended maximum rpm limit.
You can see the detailed measurements in the table below:
Taking a close look at the slip values in the above table we will find that they are quite high at low rpm, a fact that is food for discussion.
Of course, Stingher 28 GT showed that matches wonderfully with the V10 350hp engine on her transom while cruising beautifully even at 40 knots, proving that she is capable of comfortably and safely approaching distant destinations.
There is no doubt that her combination with the V10 400hp Verado engine will be the most ideal set-up from all points of view and in every condition.
Judging by our test set-up, we can say that it would be interesting to raise the engine a hole higher and of course apply a propeller with a 2 inch shorter pitch to get closer to the maximum RPM recommended by Mercury.
In this case, a huge improvement in throttle response and acceleration, more flexibility in handling the boat especially in bad weather conditions are definite while we will also be able to load her as much as we like without the risk of dropping below the middle of engine’s maximum rpm limit.
Manufacturer:
Italboats s.l.r.
Main factory & Head office
Zona Industriale SP 79 Presicce-Alessano, 73054 Presicce (LE)-Italy
Tel: +39 (0)833 722 553
www.italboats.com
Hellas’ dealer:
Delipoulios Marine
Thessalonikis-Peraias 21 - Thermi 57500
Tel.: +30 23920 92298
www.delipoulios-marine.gr
