Merry Fisher 855

Does anyone know anything about the new 'offshore' spec?

Costs a bit more but at sibs they couldn't tell me exactly what it bought you apart from an RCD cat B rating. Until now they have been cat C. Now, RCD is a complete con. If you are just paying for extra tests then it's a rip off. If you are getting a thicker or heavier hull then there may be some benefit.

As I say the dealers in the stabd were very wooly and couldn't answer and probing questions about biat weight etc. all they said was if you want to go more than 12 MILs off shore you had to buy the off shore pack other wise it's illegal in a cat c boat. Which is tripe...
 
Hmm but a thicker hull where?

They don't list a seperate weight so I guess it's the transom allowing for more powerful/heavier engines.

That isn't going to make it any more capable 'off shore' - in fact the RCD tests are more about stability with persons in board not the ability to take a sea. Look at the spec, only rated for 5 people at cat B compared to 10 at Cat C (same as stabdard boat)

Got the whiff of bullsht about it. But like the RCD itself. I would have thought if the whole hull were stronger it would be heavier but it doesn't appear to be
 
A couple of questions if anyone knows pls:

1. What speed does the MF855 achieve flat out with x2 150hp outboards?

2. What price roughly for the coppercoat, and how long does it take on a hull of a new boat?

3. Has anyone been out in any particularly choppy or rough waters with their MF855? I was curious about the handling and seaworthiness at sea (though I recognise that this is subjective).

Thanks

1. We went for the Honda option of upgrading to stainless steel props, as it was only around £500 more. But it seems to be under propped and can rev to 6,500 rpm which is over the maximum. By backing off to 6,000 rpm, ours made 32knts with a full tank of fuel, but at those revs it does go down a bit quickly!

2. I negotiated coppercoat in with the overall price instead of conventional anti-fouling, so I don't know the exact cost, but our previous 34ft boat cost £2000 to slurry blast and coppercoat, so I would think on a new hull, it would cost around £1200 - £1400.

3. We have been out in some rough water that we have had to come off the plane and motor along @ 8 knts. with water crashing right over the roof. We felt perfectly safe and warm and cosy inside, in fact so warm that we were steaming up !!

The 855 would be ultimately faster flat out and more economical with a single 300 hp and cheaper to buy too, but I like being able to turn the boat on its axis with twin engines.

Interesting to read about an offshore spec though.......
 
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I realise this is a big ask, but would anyone who bought a new 855 recently be prepared to give me an indication of what sort of deal was done on the asking price. By PM of course if that is better/easier/more comfortable

I only ask as there a re a couple of very well priced 2012/2013 boats in France €70k-€80k which seems like a good discount over new unless the asking price is a bit pie in the sky. These boats seems to have the preference pack, canopies, extra cockpit seating etc so not basic boat. They are all twin and my preference would be for the single 300 but I'm not that choosy.

Also, does anyone have a seasons worth of fuel consumption on the single 300? Do all outboards have a 6 year warranty or is that just Honda?
 
Hmm,

I looked yesterday and the spec box was the same for both

If that is the case it might be worth the extra

I've had another look, and for the 'marlin' edition they list the marlin offshore as being 150kg (not 500kg, I misread) heavier than the non offshore marlin edition , but for the normal edition they quote the same hull weights for both offshore and non offshore.

So who knows what the real differences are, doesnt look like its anything material that would make you pay extra for the Cat B boat though.

off topic, but I wonder if RCD category ratings do more harm than good, if used by a less experienced person to decide whether they should head out to sea or not.
 

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I realise this is a big ask, but would anyone who bought a new 855 recently be prepared to give me an indication of what sort of deal was done on the asking price. By PM of course if that is better/easier/more comfortable

I only ask as there a re a couple of very well priced 2012/2013 boats in France €70k-€80k which seems like a good discount over new unless the asking price is a bit pie in the sky. These boats seems to have the preference pack, canopies, extra cockpit seating etc so not basic boat. They are all twin and my preference would be for the single 300 but I'm not that choosy.

Also, does anyone have a seasons worth of fuel consumption on the single 300? Do all outboards have a 6 year warranty or is that just Honda?

PM sent.
 
Very curious myself as to how you find the 855 in comparison to the 645. In particular sea keeping and economy. Have fun!
 
I hope that it all goes well tomorrow with your pick up. I see that you have both radar and TV on it too :)

I don't see any fixings for an aft canopy, did you not specify one? I took mine off as soon as I got it, stored it away and just left the roof section on.
 
I didn't specify the aft canopy. There is enough shelter internally without creating unnecessary shade. It also looks a little tacky IMO. There are a few hiccups, as I ordered on the 2014 price list and spec but on the understanding that by the time of build it would be a 2015 model. I have indeed got the 2015 model but curtains are optional on the new model so were not included (despite being ordered) but we got the forward sun cushions that we didn't order. Fortunately, the dealer chased Jeanneau and the curtains are being sent & will be fitted shortly and the cherry on top is that we can keep the sun cushions for free.
We also have a double UK mains socket & TV point in each cabin with the first TV (brought at Argos) already installed. We have another double above the cooking area & a single socket underneath where we are putting in a microwave (also from Argos) saving about £400 compared to the Jeanneau option.
All the Garmin items (radar,vhf,chartplotter,sonar) are interlinked & also collect engine data which all seems pretty cool. The only thing missing which I would like is a WiFi booster of some sort, but that can follow.
 
Have fun tomorrow and congrats on the new boat.
We have found support from les herbiers to be fantastic, (backed up by the amazing Fred at Ancasta) so I am sure your curtains will be with you shortly.
Have to say the biggest niggle I've had with our boat is that we he to solve the UK/European socket nonsense post factory...should not be selling boats into the UK without three pin as standard.
The 855 is a great looking boat, will be interested to hear how you get on.
 
I handed over Chamaerops's 855 this morning. It was rather chilly, but very calm and sunny once the mist had lifted, so hopefully the family have a great run back to Hamble this morning.

She went very yesterday on the pre-handover shakedown trial and the handover went perfectly this morning.

I'm looking forward to having some more to rig now! It's very enjoyable rigging the larger boats, as we get to fit more complex electronic systems. The Downvu and radar work really well with the new Garmin GPSMap 820xs and the TV looks great in the forward cabin. Next up are 3x Merry Fisher 755s which are all due quite soon.

Just a few pics from me, I'm sure the new owner will post lots more!

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Very curious myself as to how you find the 855 in comparison to the 645. In particular sea keeping and economy. Have fun!


Tested fuel consumption data...

Merry Fisher 855 YAMAHA F300 5800 RPM 32.50 knots 102.00 litres per hour. 5000 RPM 26.40 knots 67.80 litres per hour.
Merry Fisher 855 2 x YAMAHA F150 6000 RPM 34.95 knots 117.00 litres per hour. 4500 RPM 24.65 knots 59.60 litres per hour.

I've tested the boat with both engines, although it was a couple of years ago I drove it with the F300. The twin F150s are certainly quicker and probably a little more economical actually. I saw 45 litres per hour at 22 knots yesterday, which is pretty good. From memory I think it was around 3500 RPM and comfortably on the plane. This was with a fairly light load. I will say that the F300 is quieter and smoother though, and obviously a lot cheaper to buy and the service.

Sea keeping is worlds apart from the 645, the 855 is so much heavier, wider and longer. It doesn't rock from side to side or lean over on a beam on sea and you have the added benefit of playing with the trim tabs to keep it level. It pushes through a rough chop and is a lot more comfortable.

I hope that helps, but please let me know if I can help with any further questions.

Dan
 
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Hmm,

I looked yesterday and the spec box was the same for both

If that is the case it might be worth the extra

I've spoken with the factory and they confirm that the Merry Fisher 855 Offshore is 400kg heavier than the regular 855 due to a thicker build. I can't give exact information on where it's thicker, but it is a different build, not just different testing. It also has an additional GRP coaming at the back of the wheelhouse
 
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Tested fuel consumption data...

Merry Fisher 855 YAMAHA F300 5800 RPM 32.50 knots 102.00 litres per hour. 5000 RPM 26.40 knots 67.80 litres per hour.
Merry Fisher 855 2 x YAMAHA F150 6000 RPM 34.95 knots 117.00 litres per hour. 4500 RPM 24.65 knots 59.60 litres per hour.

I've tested the boat with both engines, although it was a couple of years ago I drove it with the F300. The twin F150s are certainly quicker and probably a little more economical actually. I saw 45 litres per hour at 22 knots yesterday, which is pretty good. From memory I think it was around 3500 RPM and comfortably on the plane. This was with a fairly light load. I will say that the F300 is quieter and smoother though, and obviously a lot cheaper to buy and the service.

Sea keeping is worlds apart from the 645, the 855 is so much heavier, wider and longer. It doesn't rock from side to side or lean over on a beam on sea and you have the added benefit of playing with the trim tabs to keep it level. It pushes through a rough chop and is a lot more comfortable.

I hope that helps, but please let me know if I can help with any further questions.

Dan

Sounds like about 2mpg, compared to about 3-4 mpg on the 645. Really surprised the twins are faster and more economical than the single which seems to defy accepted logic. Why do you think that is?
 
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