Rodman 41

[derekbland]

Still looking. anyone know anything about the Rodman 41 2008 with Volvo Penta IPS 500 (2008). Not as sexy looking as other around 45' flybridge boats but from the review I have seen seems to perform well.

I am very cautious now as am learning the hard way - long story and not going to tell it now.

Anyhoo, input from those that know the boat or know someone who does would be much appreciated. I may even be lucky and find an owner on here.


Cheers

 

[nicho]

Still looking. anyone know anything about the Rodman 41 2008 with Volvo Penta IPS 500 (2008). Not as sexy looking as other around 45' flybridge boats but from the review I have seen seems to perform well.

I am very cautious now as am learning the hard way - long story and not going to tell it now.

Anyhoo, input from those that know the boat or know someone who does would be much appreciated. I may even be lucky and find an owner on here.


Cheers

It's a personal thing, but I wouldn't touch anything with early IPS.

 

[kashurst]

Rodman 41 great boat, go for 2006 on shafts or earlier. IPS service costs can be " exciting". By 2009 Volvo had made quite a few improvements allegedly.

 

[derekbland]

This is a 2008. I guess my question is, on balance, are the IPS 500's likely to have the seals go and how much is it to replace them every 5 years. There are no certainties in life except for death and taxes. I have heard great things about the IPS re performance, manoeuvrability but do these outweigh the risks. The boat is also 3-cabin and Med spec which is what I really wanted.

 

[kashurst]

I have never owned an IPS boat so happy to be shot down in flames. My reason will become obvious. When IPS works it's great, smooth quiet easy to handle etc etc. Fuel savings seem to be very variable depends on the specific boat. So far so good.

I was looking for a boat last year, and there are now quite a few secondhand IPS boats around. I asked the local Volvo guys here in Spain for price to rebuild IPS legs, @ 5k euros each! If it's sat all winter with sea water in it it could be scrap. And it's definitely not DIY or a five minute job. On the plus side his view was that IPS drives from the last 5 or 6 years seem pretty reliable. There have been a number of detail design and material changes

Again you can argue that shaft drive gearboxes can fail, however at that size of boat a good recon will be @£3k and a one/two day job with the boat in the water. so hopefully no ruined holiday or stuck in an expensive marina for weeks.

You can argue on probability the IPS legs etc will be perfectly ok for years. But, if something should happen, make sure you know what to expect. If your boat money and time budget is pretty flexible you may decide to accept more risk.

My own experience of Volvo stuff over 18 years is mixed. Trouble seems to come from the quality of parts. Poor castings, incomplete manufacture, So for me Volvo and IPS is a big no. In effect I don't trust Volvo to make them properly.

There are quite a few Rodman 41s for sale in Spain, buying is just the same as buying in the UK with the added advantage spanish registered vat status is very clear.

 

[jrudge]

I have never owned an IPS boat so happy to be shot down in flames. My reason will become obvious. When IPS works it's great, smooth quiet easy to handle etc etc. Fuel savings seem to be very variable depends on the specific boat. So far so good.

I was looking for a boat last year, and there are now quite a few secondhand IPS boats around. I asked the local Volvo guys here in Spain for price to rebuild IPS legs, @ 5k euros each! And it's definitely not DIY or a five minute job.

You can argue on probability the IPS legs etc will be perfectly ok for years. But, if something should happen, make sure you know what to expect. If your boat money and time budget is pretty flexible you may decide to accept more risk.
There have also been a number of design changes over the years to improve seals etc. His view was the IPS legs from the last 5 or 6 years seem pretty trouble free.

My own experience of Volvo stuff over 18 years is mixed. Trouble seems to come from the quality of parts. Poor castings, incomplete manufacture, So for me Volvo and IPS is a big no. In effect I don't trust Volvo to make them properly.
There are quite a few Rodman 41s for sale in Spain, buying is just the same as buying in the UK with the added advantage spanish registered vat status is very clear.

Do bear in mind that overhaul of an outdrive leg is not likely to leave you with much change for E3000 so the differences is E2000 and it will happen every 3-4-5 years?

I dont feel strongly either way, but everything on a boat has a cost and IPS is unlikely to be an exception! Would the fuel saving pay for it?

 

[petem]

It's easy to dismiss the docking benefits of IPS but having just returned from a week on the Spain where we avoided taking the boat out as it was just a bit too windy for me to get the boat back on the berth without any stress, I do wonder if an IPS boat would have given me more confidence in a breeze? I know that I can temporarily park on the visitors quay in the marina but that's a bit of a faff too.

 

[jrudge]

It's easy to dismiss the docking benefits of IPS but having just returned from a week on the Spain where we avoided taking the boat out as it was just a bit too windy for me to get the boat back on the berth without any stress, I do wonder if an IPS boat would have given me more confidence in a breeze? I know that I can temporarily park on the visitors quay in the marina but that's a bit of a faff too.

Next time its really windy grab an instructor. When i did my Day Skippers the weather was horrendous and we crossed the channel. It was a 33 foot boat. Still today I doubt I would take my current 58 foot boat out voluntarily in such weather, but what we learned about dealing with serious waves has stayed with me ever since - to the degree that when I messed up the tide times coming out of Arcechon basin it probably saved my bacon. Instructors are value for money in my view.

Last boat had a stern thruster, this one does not. Was used to nil motion and being able to shift the stern. Using engines the thing is always moving which at first is a bit disconcerting, as you are assuming the stern will move over and not hit the boat next door - which of course it does! I didnt use an instructor, but had I, I would have gained confidence in "doing the right thing" far quicker. As it was i was using reverse and then fwd on the other engine to kick it over more and kill the motion ... which as i have since discovered that unless I am too fast there is no need to do.

With an instructor you will probably have a lot of fun and know you can do it.

 

[kashurst]

Do bear in mind that overhaul of an outdrive leg is not likely to leave you with much change for E3000 so the differences is E2000 and it will happen every 3-4-5 years?

I dont feel strongly either way, but everything on a boat has a cost and IPS is unlikely to be an exception! Would the fuel saving pay for it?

Completely agree, but another negative for me is the time and facilities required to repair IPS and at the moment only official Volvo people can (hopefully) sort them out. As we all know boats are complex and can be unreliable. So a very important thing for me is do/have anything to improve reliability and minimise down time. For me IPS is going in the opposite direction

 

[jrudge]

I can see that and the Volvo Only I had not really considered.

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

Like most mechanical parts on boats , great when they are working and expensive when they fail. Was on a Rodman recently for first time and I was fairly impressed I have to say . But why keep looking when you had a boat lined up ? If its the one for you , which you must have already decided on with the expenses you incurred etc , why not wait and see if the small paperwork issue can be resolved ?? Would make sense to me?? Been in your position and the more you look, the more confused you get and the more information ( good and bad) people give you that fries your brain !

 

[Solent Sailor]

It’s not true that only Volvo dealers can fix IPS faults. Try speaking to VolvoPaul.

 

[MapisM]

It's easy to dismiss the docking benefits of IPS but having just returned from a week on the Spain where we avoided taking the boat out as it was just a bit too windy for me to get the boat back on the berth without any stress, I do wonder if an IPS boat would have given me more confidence in a breeze? I know that I can temporarily park on the visitors quay in the marina but that's a bit of a faff too.

Don't you have some rib-equipped marineros which you can call to help, whenever you think it's appropriate?
I also ask their support sometimes, particularly with strong crosswind on one side (since I'm moored in a corner of the marina).
Most of the times, the chap does nothing else than stay downwind, watching and ready to act.
But in a few occasions when we couldn't secure the upwind stern line fast enough for whatever reason, the peace of mind granted by a 40hp rib working as a very powerful b/t has been priceless.
I don't think it's something to be ashamed of: our job as helmsmen is to avoid accidents, their job is to help us achieve such result - it's that simple.
Having seen IPS boats badly hitting the pulpit of other boats moored on their sides, due to the rolling introduced by excessive joystick bursts, I wish some IPS helmsmen were LESS confident and do the same.
Thanks God, nobody onboard had their hands on the pulpit when that happened.... :ambivalence:

 

[Portofino]

Don't you have some rib-equipped marineros which you can call to help, whenever you think it's appropriate?
I also ask their support sometimes, particularly with strong crosswind on one side (since I'm moored in a corner of the marina).
Most of the times, the chap does nothing else than stay downwind, watching and ready to act.
But in a few occasions when we couldn't secure the upwind stern line fast enough for whatever reason, the peace of mind granted by a 40hp rib working as a very powerful b/t has been priceless.
I don't think it's something to be ashamed of: our job as helmsmen is to avoid accidents, their job is to help us achieve such result - it's that simple.
:ambivalence:

+1
Also in visiting large marinas ( say Port Hercule Monaco ) they s send a rib out anyhow to guide you to the berth .
One chap jumps out to do the lines from the jetty the rib driver gets the bow line to pass to you when you are in .
In smaller visiting marinas the rib guy once you are in assists securing the bow , say looping a rope through a chain link if you are too big so,s you don,t need to grag gel coat chipping chain up on the fore deck .

Confidence comes with time .
In the summer there’s often a strong afternoon wind .This dies down about an hour before set .
Alternatively you could plan your return around this period of the day .Fine for your home berth ,not so good in a busy visiting marina unless you have booked and told them of your late arrival- if you trust them not to give the place away .
Early bird gets the worm in high summer / school hols time

 

[Portofino]

Reflecting for a mo on stern to tricky Med mooring if it’s windy - Sod’s law on the beam .
I found the sterndrive Sunseeker a pita .
Small albeit props - low grip
At the back slung out as far from the CoG as possible.
Bow thruster Ok ish but not great - VP QL bp 350 .

It used to blow about like a crisp packet and tbo took a bit of skill to park in a breeze .

The current shaft drive boat is fantastic in comparison, so easy predictable.
Large big dia props .
Loadsa grip
Nearer the CoG
Two rudders dangling
Deeper deadrise
A bow thruster overly powerful just needs 2-3 second bursts if windy .

So if the “props aren’t,t spinning the boats not gripping “ then basically an IPS is just a scaled up outdrives in proportion to the hull kg s - Ok the CoG argument is relaxed due there position , but the deadrise s are usually low wher the pods are - so I reckon they are blowey in a breeze parking .
Especially is they have a big superstructure like say a Abs .
So it strikes me it’s a chicken and egg , the pod and joystick- with a diffence you need a joy stick function to park them in a ything other than dead pan calm .

Sort of drug dealer pusher ish from Volvo - hook em early,make them dependant on the system.

Financially balance say 3 days of Jon Mendez style one on one tuition and compare that with the constant additional ongoing service costs , I mean anode bills gear oil bills etc .

I can,t see the manoeuvre argument tbo from where I,am at - sorry guys

 

[Portofino]

Which is worse for IPS owners

Worry about about a BIG bill dropping thousands ?
Worry about parking ?
Worry about offloading it - milky oil found ?

 

[MapisM]

I found the sterndrive Sunseeker a pita

Some a bit more, some a bit less, but in my experience all sterndrives are a pita while maneuvering, compared to shafts.
Several folks with twin outboards boats think that the opposite is true, based on the principle that sterndrives allow steerable thrust, but that's just because most of them come from a previous single screw experience, which is obviously even worse.
It's only after moving to shafts (and practicing a bit) that they realise how much more controllable they are.
Fwiw, the among the boats I helmed, the most "interesting" upon maneuver where:
- my old 27 Fever, with her single o/b installed with a very aggressive X-dimension, almost akin to a surface drive: in reverse, prop walk prevailed on steering to the point that the only (small) chance to move her against prop walk was by fully lowering one trim tab and use it as a brake...
- tournament skiboats in general. I tried both MasterCraft and CorrectCraft, and with their inline single screw, small rudder and central fixed fins, I don't think there's anything else afloat which is harder to maneuver, and always wants to go straight no matter what! :ambivalence:

 

[petem]

Don't you have some rib-equipped marineros which you can call to help, whenever you think it's appropriate?
I also ask their support sometimes, particularly with strong crosswind on one side (since I'm moored in a corner of the marina).
Most of the times, the chap does nothing else than stay downwind, watching and ready to act.
But in a few occasions when we couldn't secure the upwind stern line fast enough for whatever reason, the peace of mind granted by a 40hp rib working as a very powerful b/t has been priceless.
I don't think it's something to be ashamed of: our job as helmsmen is to avoid accidents, their job is to help us achieve such result - it's that simple.

Doh, didn't think of that! You're right, we do have some marineros that would be willing to help and I've watched them using their awesome boat handling skills to get bigger boats than mine on a berth with nobody at the helm.

 

[derekbland]

Which is worse for IPS owners

Worry about about a BIG bill dropping thousands ?
Worry about parking ?
Worry about offloading it - milky oil found ?

I have been reading all the responses and understand that there seems to be some good reasons not to buy pods. However, I have been looking at the cost of sterndrives via similar shaft drives and so;

Worry about a BIG bill dropping thousands ? It seems that sterndrives are considerably cheaper for same age as a shaft driven boat of same year/type, perhaps for reasons stated but this seems to me to negate some of the increased maintenance costs.
Worry about parking ? notwithstanding bad whether, if you had someone totally new to boating, which would they find easier to berth? Also, can you not use just the sterndrives without the joystick to berth?
Worry about offloading it - milky oil found ? I seem to get the message that from this and other posts that all or the majority of sterndrives will suffer from this problem. I have been PM'ed by one person who has stern drives and loves it with no major problems. He probably doesn't post as the anti IPS evangelistic sentiment would shoot him down in flames. Further, why would someone try to sell a boat with milky oil. As soon as it was noticed the damage would be done as the forum and the rumour mill would literally kill your chance of selling even if you did get the problem sorted out.

Thing is, I may well not buy a boat with IPS and have to some degree been put off and am not ignoring the warnings. However, it appears from some that there are absolutely no logical reasons to buy a boat with IPS. I will continue to keep an open mind for now, as I've got at least two people (one from the forum) who actually own them ,who love them and no, they are not trying to sell the to me.[/B]

 

[petem]

Many, if not most, stern drive boats will have had some water in the oil at some point. Even when maintained properly maintained (new bellows every two years / seals replaced) by reputable dealers / engineers it happens.

Whilst it's far from ideal, it isn't necessarily a show stopper. It is important to get to the route of the problem (worn shafts*, etc) and fix that, then flush and change the oil.



* Expensive to replace but can be repaired.