Portofino 47

[Chris H]

I'm looking at two portofino's, similar price both 2007, one has IPS600's other has VP 575, is there anything I should look out for and how would the different set ups handle and perform.

Cheers Chris

 

[DAW]

We've always had Sunseekers with shaft drives in tunnels partly because of the "planted" feeling you get cornering at higher speeds and the confidence they inspire when conditions get rough. We have friends with similar sized IPS boats to our current Portofino 53 and I always felt that the handling was a little more vague.

IPS gives you different options for slow speed manoeuvring, but I'm not sure its any better or worse. I like the kick left or right that you can get with shafts in tunnels and once you know how to control a shaft driven boat using the engines and the thruster(s), you really wont miss the added manoeuvrability of IPS.

There is a big power difference between the D9-575s and the IPS600s option (only 435hp I think) which despite the increased "efficiency" of IPS I suspect you will really notice. There are plenty of P47s on Sunseeker's own website and although they quote similar cruising speeds for both options (23/24 knots), they quote maximum speeds of 30 knots for the IPS version and 35 knots for the D9-575. Fuel consumption will be higher with the D9s, but in overall financial terms this should only be a minor consideration.

I would be concerned that 2007 is a relatively early IPS boat and maintenance/replacement items might be costly. Also a quick scan of the used boat sites suggests that shaft driven boats outnumber IPS by three or four times, so this may be a consideration on resale.

Of the two, I would choose the VP D9-575 option.

 

[Chris H]

We've always had Sunseekers with shaft drives in tunnels partly because of the "planted" feeling you get cornering at higher speeds and the confidence they inspire when conditions get rough. We have friends with similar sized IPS boats to our current Portofino 53 and I always felt that the handling was a little more vague.

IPS gives you different options for slow speed manoeuvring, but I'm not sure its any better or worse. I like the kick left or right that you can get with shafts in tunnels and once you know how to control a shaft driven boat using the engines and the thruster(s), you really wont miss the added manoeuvrability of IPS.

There is a big power difference between the D9-575s and the IPS600s option (only 435hp I think) which despite the increased "efficiency" of IPS I suspect you will really notice. There are plenty of P47s on Sunseeker's own website and although they quote similar cruising speeds for both options (23/24 knots), they quote maximum speeds of 30 knots for the IPS version and 35 knots for the D9-575. Fuel consumption will be higher with the D9s, but in overall financial terms this should only be a minor consideration.

I would be concerned that 2007 is a relatively early IPS boat and maintenance/replacement items might be costly. Also a quick scan of the used boat sites suggests that shaft driven boats outnumber IPS by three or four times, so this may be a consideration on resale.

Of the two, I would choose the VP D9-575 option.

Thank you, do you know Mr S ? It's just come back up for sale, looks very nice but maybe a bit too big for a first boat.

 

[Portofino]

Great chiose the P47 .
For me the D9 .
It's more to do with the age ,not wanting to pick up deffered maintenance of the IPS .
Recently on here a glut of threads over engine longevity /durability and such like .
Re -search on here IPS and a general google .

All things being equal when new -which they arn,t the IPS will cost less in fuel in theroey and be miles easier to park .
But and it's a very big but which divides opinion is the reliabilty real or perceived .
That 5.5 L block "pressured up " to kick out 425 hp or what ever in the IPS for me is an off put ,on top of the pod services and all the eltrotwackery .
You have an alternative --- thank SS .
SS used the same slightly modded hull for this .There is /are some stuff online about the comparision -read it .
The mpg if you like advantage on that hull was at a very narrow speed range ,from memory a bit disappointed.

Of course if your nervous, worried about parking ,not greatly spatially aware ,slowish learner ,begrudge the diesel bill that is threoetically low the sales guy who's stuck with it on his list says ---then maybe a10Year IPS is for you .

My smaller Port35 ,waaaay back in 2005 was purchased from SS @ the factory ,
I had zero MoBo experiance nevermind SoF ,part of the deal was that they SS provide tuition ,which true to there word they did .
By day 3 I could park it ,we had a guy for 3 hrs or so for 5 days .
Showed me stuff like anchoring ,holding tank ,Geny ,shore power etc .
I had my French "permit d Mer " and VHF --paper work -ok but Zilch practicle experiance .
Don,t know your situation but SS will take down barriers to sale
The La Napoule ( SS .Fr HQ ) guys are fab btw .Alex Montane in particular .
They still when I request organise the odd maintenance and Allways say hello around the marina .
Ok sales men trying to keep me sweet etc .