Spi D
...
Sounds as if you got a lot wiser by testing.
How do you think the opinions given here match your experience?
How do you think the opinions given here match your experience?
Last edited:
Opinions on new Merry Fisher 695
- Thread starter wipe_out
- Start date
wipe_out
Well-Known Member
@ AllanG - The test was in the Solent.. Yes they can have a bow thruster fitted, it's the most expensive option on the list which is probably why so few have them.. 
@Spi D - I think the opinions expressed match the experience pretty well.. It's a light boat with a reasonable V at the bow but it flattens out at the rear so as speed increases the V reduces.. Really it's a case of choosing the speed you are comfortable at when the water deteriorates..
I was hoping for a quieter ride because I have some nervous family members who get very uncomfortable very quickly when there are any loud bangs on the hull of the boat.. Maybe I am being to optimistic that there is something with the facilities offered and in this size (trailerable) and price range that has a really deep v to slice through the water.. That's probably where boats like the XO come in but they have a serious price tag by comparison.. The salesman did suggest I consider the 755 which is obviously bigger and a bit heavier, I'm not sure it can legally be trailered though because it's 2.78m wide and I always thought the limit in the UK from 2010 was 2.55m.. The MF695 is 2.54m wide so they have definitely sized to fit into the 2.55m limit..
Another decision I have to think about is the engine size.. The older MF models had a max of 115hp and while these were fine the salesman said they could have done with a bit more so the engine could work less hard when cruising on the low 20kn range.. The MF695 can have all the way to 175hp.. The one I tested yesterday had a 175hp and it really did have lots of power and while we were lightly loaded it would literally hop onto a plane.. When I was climbing a wave or powering through a trough I always felt like there was plenty power there in reserve if needed, a small movement on the throttle an you instantly felt the power and the boat speed increase.. On a good day they have apparently got 38kn out of her.. I like the idea of having plenty of power but there is about £2250 difference between the 115hp and the 150hp then another £1900 odd to get from the 150hp to the 175hp.. This means the bigger engine is also an expensive option.. At this stage in my thinking is either a 150hp or a 175hp but they had no experience of the 150hp on this boat so couldn't give an opinion on how it performs compared to the 175hp..
@Spi D - I think the opinions expressed match the experience pretty well.. It's a light boat with a reasonable V at the bow but it flattens out at the rear so as speed increases the V reduces.. Really it's a case of choosing the speed you are comfortable at when the water deteriorates..
I was hoping for a quieter ride because I have some nervous family members who get very uncomfortable very quickly when there are any loud bangs on the hull of the boat.. Maybe I am being to optimistic that there is something with the facilities offered and in this size (trailerable) and price range that has a really deep v to slice through the water.. That's probably where boats like the XO come in but they have a serious price tag by comparison.. The salesman did suggest I consider the 755 which is obviously bigger and a bit heavier, I'm not sure it can legally be trailered though because it's 2.78m wide and I always thought the limit in the UK from 2010 was 2.55m.. The MF695 is 2.54m wide so they have definitely sized to fit into the 2.55m limit..
Another decision I have to think about is the engine size.. The older MF models had a max of 115hp and while these were fine the salesman said they could have done with a bit more so the engine could work less hard when cruising on the low 20kn range.. The MF695 can have all the way to 175hp.. The one I tested yesterday had a 175hp and it really did have lots of power and while we were lightly loaded it would literally hop onto a plane.. When I was climbing a wave or powering through a trough I always felt like there was plenty power there in reserve if needed, a small movement on the throttle an you instantly felt the power and the boat speed increase.. On a good day they have apparently got 38kn out of her.. I like the idea of having plenty of power but there is about £2250 difference between the 115hp and the 150hp then another £1900 odd to get from the 150hp to the 175hp.. This means the bigger engine is also an expensive option.. At this stage in my thinking is either a 150hp or a 175hp but they had no experience of the 150hp on this boat so couldn't give an opinion on how it performs compared to the 175hp..
LadyJ
Well-Known Member
Hi Wipe_out, good to hear about your trial and IMO it is good to do that on the worst of weather so you know how she can handle the worst you'd be out in. For what it's worth I have the 755 so fairly similar and whilst you heard the waves on the hull I'd say on a calmer day the noice is not a real feature and my wife (who is similarly not happy in rough) feels very safe particularly as we too changed from open to a wheel house and she has never once shown concern where as before it had to be flat calm before she came out.
I do believe the trailer limit for a car is just ok for a 695 but just over with a 755 hence the reason they introduced the 695 which is very similar.
I got the 175hp but tested the 150hp and it is more than sufficient.
With regards to the bow thruster, I felt the money might just save me a repair bill so justified the price and whilst no doubt someone with more ability than me would be ok I have already found it is worth the money. Corrects slight misjudgement with ease and as I often dock at piers I can click one notch on reverse with full lock and with the bow thruster being used it effectively moves in sideways to the pier for effortless mooring, which the good lady also appreciates.
Always a hard decision and alway a better boat just in the next price range but you will love it I am sure and once it's bought the money is irrelevant ;-)
I do believe the trailer limit for a car is just ok for a 695 but just over with a 755 hence the reason they introduced the 695 which is very similar.
I got the 175hp but tested the 150hp and it is more than sufficient.
With regards to the bow thruster, I felt the money might just save me a repair bill so justified the price and whilst no doubt someone with more ability than me would be ok I have already found it is worth the money. Corrects slight misjudgement with ease and as I often dock at piers I can click one notch on reverse with full lock and with the bow thruster being used it effectively moves in sideways to the pier for effortless mooring, which the good lady also appreciates.
Always a hard decision and alway a better boat just in the next price range but you will love it I am sure and once it's bought the money is irrelevant ;-)
gordhouse
Well-Known Member
Hi I would be interested to know what you and others use to tow the 695.
Cheers
Cheers
wipe_out
Well-Known Member
I will be using a VW Touareg 3.0 TDI (max rating is 3.5T).. Other options would be the Jeep Grand Cherokee (possibly the Cherokee as well), Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Shogun etc.. My guess is the full boat, trailer, fuel and gear would come to about 2.3-2.4t so anything that can pull 2.5T+ will do the job..