Ramco Dominator 55 w/Suzuki 80Hp 4Stroke
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=135219
Printed Date: 29 Jun 2026 at 2:14am
Topic: Ramco Dominator 55 w/Suzuki 80Hp 4Stroke
Posted By: CaptG
Subject: Ramco Dominator 55 w/Suzuki 80Hp 4Stroke
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 3:02pm
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Hello, Newby here. Wondering if anyone has any knowledge on, or own a Ramco Dominator 55 w/Suzuki DF80A motor. I am looking at buying one with lots of extras as an upgrade to my Surtees Workmate 4.7m w/Evinrude E-Tec 60Hp (2009). (The equivalent Surtees 5.4m hardtop is $15k more expensive and I doubt worth the additional expense). Any responses welcomed. CaptG |
Replies:
Posted By: ofthesea
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 4:15pm
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I know a lot of people like the Surtees so expect you will get a good price. Length matters.
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Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 4:32pm
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Thanks. Yeah the Surtees are a good boat but my 4.7m a little small and 5.8m too heavy to handle on my own at home so 5.5 could be a suitable option. |
Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 5:28pm
| Surtees are small for their length. The 495 workmate has about 3500mm at the waterline. Of course the Surtees have that deep vee. Every boat is a compromise. |
Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 6:56pm
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Ramco appear to be still using Scott Robson for their designs - so that is a good start. internal floor- to - gunwale height appears lower than average - i would ask them to supply measurement. when considering price, i take it you are comparing similar spec, possible freight costs and the superior resale that the Surtees carry? 80hp suzuki should be okay unless you load it up with weight there was a member here, who previously posted about problems he had with alloy trailer cracking - might pay to investigate...
------------- No disintegrations! |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 8:47pm
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I think you are asking about Ramco FM 5.5, I believe they are a good basic all round hull. Mr Krow has had a few, lets see if he chimes in... ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 9:19pm
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What year. I think the later boats are different? |
Posted By: Bigfishbob
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 9:31pm
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I had a 1995 Ramco 580 Fish Master. A functional boat, and the new owner has upgraded it with a four stroke yamaha, and still catches some great fish including it's first ever marlin boated this year. It was a wet boat though, loved to drop it's bow into any hole it could find. Frankly, I'd spend the extra 15k and go for the surtees hardtop. Cheers Bob ------------- www.waikatosportfishing.co.nz |
Posted By: Bounty Hunter
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 9:58pm
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OP needs to clarify if they are talking about a new build from CHCH or an older 'original' RAmco from HAM
------------- No disintegrations! |
Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2021 at 11:11pm
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I live near Rangiora where they are made. Look like functional reliable boats, based on nothing more than a climb over and looksee. I don't see any reason why I'd spend the extra on a Surtees, but then I've not actually ridden either boat so take that for what it's worth. Fit and finish look good as well. If there's anything particular you want to know I can take some photos next time I'm in town.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 8:55am
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Power to the max manufactures recommendation. Going on a few numbers have pulled off the 6m dominator with a 150hp recently , (max speced hp 150) it is nicely powered with 2 ppl and full load gear /tanks etc. So assume that Ramco have built and speced well for good AND SAFE performance in the other models in chop bars etc. Rule of thumb if head outside into possible chop etc, power to the max spec. A well powered boat around that size will hit around 42 mph on flat water with full normal load. |
Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 8:57am
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Thanks for your comments. The 5.5m Ramco is brand new. extra's include 100Ltr underfloor fuel, Bimini canopy, side curtains, road cover, drum winch, rocket launcher, bait station, 2 lifejackets, extinguisher WOF & rego on galvanised braked trailer with stainless rotors. The Surtees is a different boat, also brand new. It's 5.4m, hardtop, Suzuki 100Hp, all other extra's as for Ramco. Price diff is $9k.
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Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 8:58am
| New build is from Rangiora. |
Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 8:59am
| Brand new. |
Posted By: Muzzfishing
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 10:29am
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The Surtees 5.4 with the 100hp would be my pick. Better resale and the new 5.4 are a great boat more beam than the older 5.5 and go just as well. The 100hp Suzi will be very economical and have good power and torque. I am slightly biased though. ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">  A Good Skipper Keeps the water on the outside of the boat.
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Posted By: ofthesea
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2021 at 10:40am
| Yep, everything is a compromise of requirements and finance |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 9:07am
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Looking back on my data bases, surtees require a little more power on the back for the same results ( amount reserve power right thru the general 'working' rpm range.. Just thought.. going back over posts , this popped out Bit off subject. CaptG: 5.8m too heavy to handle on my own at home so 5.5 could be a suitable option. What do you mean ? I ask this because to change boats for something like that is rather an expensive option... maybe post up the issue and someone may come up with a simple issue. Something as simple as winding the jockey wheel right up on a single axle trailer makes it easier to move... or down on a duel axle. assuming the hitch weight is correct for towing. |
Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 9:58am
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Hi Steps, Reason posted is that a good mate has a Surtees 5.85 w/115Yammy and it is too heavy to manoeuvre at his place as it would be at mine. The additional trailer weight is the main reason so I need to go smaller. Anyway, all responses considered, I have got my trade-in price for my workmate 4.7 and have decided to go with the Ramco option. Phil Birss Marine have been very easy to deal with and offered a more than competitive package, built to my specs. Thanks to all for their suggestions and advice.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 10:06am
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Cool.. the more im looking at my historical data, reading talking tp ppl who have them... keep in mind Im still undecided to go from Glass to Alloy, even shallow river cheeks / bar etc...right up there is Ramco around the 6m/ 150 plus hp to replace the Commander.. |
Posted By: Denny Boy
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 8:00pm
Hi Capt G. Yep-I've owned a 5.5 Surtees Fisherman and I have also been in pretty much all of the other Surtees models as well as a mates 5.5 Ramco Fisher (older model). You are definitely looking at value for money...no question but I have a couple of comments. My mates old Ramco was a pounder and he had to virtually slow right down and wallow through any slop, and as said above used to take off sideways sometimes going downwind or a swell so you had on be on the ball watching it like a hawk, and as also said above weett as! The Surtees aren't innocent either but the BIG difference you will notice is in the ride as this is the Surtees signature asset. Surtees can get wet too don't worry but is usually confined to the quartering aspects whereas I found the Ramco to be wet over the bow with any raised up sea. All said above I have no idea what the new Ramcos are like....they may have sorted a lot of the above by now. Happy fishing!
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Posted By: CaptG
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 8:10pm
| Interesting comments. I can't say what they're like in any sea as have not trialed them. We'll soon see how it handles. My mates 5.8 surtees was wet but any cross seas in these small boats are going to kick the spray up. Side curtains will help keep things dry. Will be a good comparison. |
Posted By: krow
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 8:38pm
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Denny Boy wrote:Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 10:49pm
| Just a point about cutting through the rough with a deep vee. If the seas get up high enough any boat needs to slow down. Then the really deep vees struggle with their higher speed to plane and often poorer handling in displacement. A moderate vee hull may be perfectly fine in the really rough, but will be slower at blasting through a chop. Also need to watch overly fine bows in following seas as that's dangerous not merely uncomfortable. Just some thoughts. |
Posted By: shaneg
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2021 at 11:48pm
Agree with that. And should add have left a 5.5 surtees behind with my 5 meter smaller boat and almost half the horse power , it had a 115 etec . We had a yamhi F50. It struggled to keep up. Was quite rough though and side on. Krows Dominator if he still has it trucks along pretty good, from when I seen him out off tutukaka. The older 6 meter or 5.8 fishmaster always struck me as pretty capable boats. 5.5 surtees are very good boat though, and great for going straight through under meter chop, in which my stabi can bang a bit and get a bit lively. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2021 at 9:22am
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Also agree, And a huge amount is how well powered the hull is... which such info is not given. A low or min powered hull, hit waves harder, stalls, and also makes a far wetter ride. Deep V broaching in swells/ chop.. brings back memories of an old 70s/80 Valencia... which in most cases where well under powered in the day, around 80 to 115 hp thu believe rated well above that... then throw in back then hp was rated at the crank, these days its at the prop |