Marshall M4 with Suzuki DF150AP: our test of an essential yet complete rib
Categories: Inflatable Boats
10 Dicembre 2018
The new Marshall ribs pursue a good value for money with Suzuki outboards. We put on test the Marshall M4 with Suzuki DF150 motor.
By approaching this Marshall M4, one could wonder why they dubbed it like that considering it's 6.5 meter long. Normally it's customary to “lie” by giving boats names that suggest a larger size than the real deal. Still...it's time to step on board and put our rib to test.
GPS and chrono give the responses you can read below. I can add that the top speed of 35.8 knots is reached with a 16” three-blade prop and trim angle set to 70%. But keep in mind that the Marshall M4 can carry up to 15 passengers, and it's just three of us in our test. So maybe it's worth considering the more powerful engine, depending on your needs. What we really appreciate of the Suzuki DF150 is the moderate fuel consumption, as you can find in the chart.
In three seconds we get to planing, another 13 and we reach top speed. If you want to save as much as you can, stick to 2600 revs (still planing, at 9.6 knots) and you will burn 9.5 liters per hour. Rev up to 4000 rpm, and you get close to 25 knots and use 20 lph.
The stand-up piloting cushion is a bit slippery, while the grey tubular gets hot under the sun. These are the only two issues that one can report. As for the rest, the classic layout has no flaws. What is worth a mention is the attention to cost savings, while being rational and functional. Let's see what it means.
Once again, we appreciate the construction quality: good materials and wise crafting match the reseach for affordable solutions, still without leaving ground to competitors.
Our test of Marshall M4 with Suzuki DF150AP
Marshall ribs are marketed in bundle with Suzuki engines. The DF150AP motor is the mid choice betweeen the 140 and 200 hp units, and on paper it seems to be the better choice. We'll see. Lake Maggiore water is moderately choppy, due to morning breeze, which is good if we want to stress (relatively...) the hull of Marshall M4. Let's not forget that the brand sells their ribs for both leisure and professional use. The behavior of the keel is appropriate and relaxing, even when we cross our wake to try some sharp waves.
GPS and chrono give the responses you can read below. I can add that the top speed of 35.8 knots is reached with a 16” three-blade prop and trim angle set to 70%. But keep in mind that the Marshall M4 can carry up to 15 passengers, and it's just three of us in our test. So maybe it's worth considering the more powerful engine, depending on your needs. What we really appreciate of the Suzuki DF150 is the moderate fuel consumption, as you can find in the chart.
In three seconds we get to planing, another 13 and we reach top speed. If you want to save as much as you can, stick to 2600 revs (still planing, at 9.6 knots) and you will burn 9.5 liters per hour. Rev up to 4000 rpm, and you get close to 25 knots and use 20 lph.
The stand-up piloting cushion is a bit slippery, while the grey tubular gets hot under the sun. These are the only two issues that one can report. As for the rest, the classic layout has no flaws. What is worth a mention is the attention to cost savings, while being rational and functional. Let's see what it means.
The aft bench is comfortable, and it doesn't need to tilt back down (it doesn't) as the fore solarium is large enough. Under the latter, large stowage is what you need for a daily cruising. The center console features a good design, and the large windshield protects from the wind and sprays during navigation. A sturdy handrail gives the needed safety when moving on board at speed. Ditto for the handles attached to the tubular.We appreciate the construction quality: good materials and wise crafting match the reseach for affordable solutions, still without leaving ground to competitors
Once again, we appreciate the construction quality: good materials and wise crafting match the reseach for affordable solutions, still without leaving ground to competitors.
The numbers of Marshall M4
- Length overall ……………………… 6.65 m
- Beam ……………………… 2.75 m
- Tubular diameter ……………………… 0.58 m
- Chambers ……………………… 5
- Displacement without engine ……………………… 600 Kg
- Fuel reserve ……………………… 191 l
- Max output ……………………… 200 hp
- Passengers ……………………… 15
- Engine options (Suzuki) ……………………… DF140A – DF150AP – DF200AP
Performance
6rpm knots mph lph nm/l range* dB 600 2,0 2,3 1,2 1,67 255 59 1000 3,0 3,5 2,5 1,20 183 62 1500 5,0 5,8 4,9 1,02 156 65 2000 6,4 7,4 0,91 140 67 2500 9,9 11,4 10 0,99 151 73 3000 15,0 17,3 12 1,25 191 75 3500 18,0 20,7 16 1,13 172 76 4000 23,0 26,5 21 1,10 167 77 4500 27,0 31,1 26 1,04 159 77 5000 29,0 33,4 37 0,78 120 79 5500 32,0 36,8 44 0,73 111 83 5900 36,0 41,4 47 0,77 117 84 *20% reserveTest conditions
Moderate water, clean hull, fuel 190 l, no fresh water, 3 passengersIndicative price (VAT not included)
- Marhall M4 – Suzuki DF140A …………………….. € 33600
- Marhall M4 – Suzuki DF150AP ………………….. € 36800
- Marhall M4 – Suzuki DF200AP ………………….. € 40100
Claudio Russo
Inizia nella nautica, che poi lascia per fare esperienze in vari altri settori della comunicazione. Diventa giornalista e passa nella sfera dello sport, dove ha partecipato anche alla realizzazione di alcuni fra i primi siti d'informazione in ambito calcistico e delle Olimpiadi di Sydney 2000. Nel 2002 torna nella nautica come caporedattore di un mensile fino alla nuova sfida raccolta nel 2013 con BoatMag.
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