Ships To bask, or not to bask....

[Mrat13]

Ok, this is more to do with preference than facts.

I'm buying a ship to do bulk smuggling, I already have how I'm doing it set out, just need a ship. Either the clipper or the orca. Could use an Asp Explorer if I ever run into a medium pad, but it has too little cargo to warrant using medium pads instead of large ones, at least compared to alternatives. So here's the 'stats'.

Orca is faster when fully loaded. Orca is easier to fit through mail slot. Orca has better jump range. Orca in most setups has more shields. Orca doesn't require rank.

Clipper can carry more cargo. Clipper is cheaper.

Now onto the main problem. Clipper is harder to fly, but can earn more money, that's....interesting. Is it worth the risk? You decide.

Clipper requires rank. Does that matter? You decide.

Clipper offers more basking potential. Does this trump everything the orca has? You decide.

Or, in simpler terms. Bask in the clipper, or be uncatchable in the orca? You decide.

Edit: Ok going to make a tally just to keep track, which will change as we go along.

Clipper - 8
Orca - 3
Other (to prove some sort of point) - 1

 

[Achibot]

Any reason you are not considering the all-powerful Python?

 

[Mrat13]

Any reason you are not considering the all-powerful Python?

Already have one as a legal trader. It just wouldn't keep up with the ship's I've mentioned, even if it can land on medium pads.

And before you mention engineers, you can do so with the other two, so you'll never catch up to them in the speed department.

And maybe you don't need to go THAT fast to avoid scans, but where's the fun in going slow?

So, if I've answered your question, would you be so kind as to answer mine, pretty please.....

 

[Achibot]

I get you. If I was roleplaying it I think I'd take the Clipper but I'm honestly not sure I could tell you why. Imperial bias perhaps? Ultimately my advice would be to go with your gut though. Try that ship first and if it doesn't sparkle with you then switch it up. 10% penalty on the hull cost but you get 100% of the module cost back so it should be survivable? FD have done a decent job of giving character to ships, to the extent that many like ships I hate and vice versa. Take your best guess and adjust if needed.

 

[Jenner]

When in doubt.... bask.

 

[MottiKhan]

One of my first ships was the Clipper. I got it back when the rank requirement was suspended. It's a great ship and hits above its weight in combat situations. I never used it for trading or smuggling, but it's fast and big enough to do either. My primary use was Powerplay (for Hudson, so there wasn't a lot of basking for me back then).

I found it to be a pretty easy ship to fly. So it's the one I'd vote for here.

 

[[VR] Enexemander]

Just from the way you set up the equation, I would take the Orca. I'll take a ship I enjoy flying over one that makes a trickle more money per hour. But, that's also as someone who A) has an Orca and loves it, B) doesn't have a clipper and C) is rich enough that credits/hour is a novelty rather than a goal.

The Orca is a really nice ship, though. Handles like a dream in and out of supercruise, and is fast to boot.

 

[Viscera]

Unless it is a pink orca with the name "pen is mightier than the sword" then the clipper wins hands down in the basking status.

 

[Bob Lighthouse]

Already have one as a legal trader. It just wouldn't keep up with the ship's I've mentioned, even if it can land on medium pads.

And before you mention engineers, you can do so with the other two, so you'll never catch up to them in the speed department.

And maybe you don't need to go THAT fast to avoid scans, but where's the fun in going slow?

So, if I've answered your question, would you be so kind as to answer mine, pretty please.....

I can go through the slot ~300 in my Python *and still stop* simply by opening gear and killing the throttle.
Not sure I can pull that off in my Orca or Clipper.

I'd go Clipper over Orca though.
Speeds are basically identical as I recall.
Not sure why you're giving the Orca the definitive lead there.
Plus the restricted bays are, well, restricting.
Orca gets a slight fsd and significant fuel range nod.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

I'd go Clipper. It's basically a big Cobra Mk III.

 

[5 Puppis]

Of the two, I would say Orca because you find it easier to get through the mail slot with it and I imagine you'd want to get through as quick as possible in a smuggling mission. The most profitable route is the one where you stay alive.

 

[Mrat13]

Speeds are basically identical as I recall. Not sure why you're giving the Orca the definitive lead there.

Technically yes, but I've heard the clipper slows down when full on cargo, unless I'm mistaken. So in that regard Orca clinches the lead. Also, its easier to stay at that speed, and not crash due to not drifting or getting your wings caught, which helps in the real world.

Basically, I'm looking at real world speed, not stat speeds.

 

[wrmiller]

Technically yes, but I've heard the clipper slows down when full on cargo, unless I'm mistaken. So in that regard Orca clinches the lead. Also, its easier to stay at that speed, and not crash due to not drifting or getting your wings caught, which helps in the real world.

Basically, I'm looking at real world speed, not stat speeds.

I have a Orca that I use for passenger missions. I like the boost speed and cool running for when I'm hauling passengers that don't want to be scanned and/or are 'wanted' in various systems. When I get to the destination station, I request landing just inside the 7.5Km limit, hit silent running, and coast in. I don't even need a heat sink.

 

[Mrat13]

I have a Orca that I use for passenger missions. I like the boost speed and cool running for when I'm hauling passengers that don't want to be scanned and/or are 'wanted' in various systems. When I get to the destination station, I request landing just inside the 7.5Km limit, hit silent running, and coast in. I don't even need a heat sink.

So, shall I put your vote down for the orca then?

 

[Bob Lighthouse]

Technically yes, but I've heard the clipper slows down when full on cargo, unless I'm mistaken. So in that regard Orca clinches the lead. Also, its easier to stay at that speed, and not crash due to not drifting or getting your wings caught, which helps in the real world.

Basically, I'm looking at real world speed, not stat speeds.

Hmm, I could check on that although I've never noticed; but perhaps look at the turn rates too?
Owning both, I can say the Clipper is *much* more agile.
In stock trim,
Orca: 15/21/47
Clipper: 15/33/65

That's ~ 50% more agile in the two important planes.

 

[wrmiller]

So, shall I put your vote down for the orca then?

That was inferred, but you can take it as a vote for the Clipper if you prefer.

 

[Mrat13]

Hmm, I could check on that although I've never noticed; but perhaps look at the turn rates too?
Owning both, I can say the Clipper is *much* more agile.
In stock trim,
Orca: 15/21/47
Clipper: 15/33/65

That's ~ 50% more agile in the two important planes.

'Stock' as in E rated, or 'stock' as in no engineers. Very important to know.

 

[Bob Lighthouse]

'Stock' as in E rated, or 'stock' as in no engineers. Very important to know.

Stock = as it comes when you buy it; E rated and no engineers for either.
Those are the base stats from coriolis under "profiles".

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/orca
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/imperial_clipper


Engineering would improve both ships, obviously.
Orca turn rate is pretty bad imo.

edit: With A rated high rolled DD5s the numbers jump to
Orca: 23/31/69
Clipper: 22/48/96

 

[Mrat13]

That was inferred, but you can take it as a vote for the Clipper if you prefer.

It's your choice, that's the point of this. And you've made it clear you prefer the Orca, so I'll put that unless told otherwise.

Stock = as it comes when you buy it; E rated and no engineers for either.
Those are the base stats from coriolis under "profiles".

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/orca
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/imperial_clipper


Engineering would improve both ships, obviously.
Orca turn rate is pretty bad imo.

edit: With A rated high rolled DD5s the numbers jump to
Orca: 23/31/69
Clipper: 22/48/96

Ok thanks for clearing that up. Still doesn't imply real world handling, like the reduced speed while fully loaded, or the drifting, or the massive wings of the clipper.

These things affect smuggling moreso than the stats on paper.

 

[Bob Lighthouse]

It's your choice, that's the point of this. And you've made it clear you prefer the Orca, so I'll put that unless told otherwise.


Ok thanks for clearing that up. Still doesn't imply real world handling, like the reduced speed while fully loaded, or the drifting, or the massive wings of the clipper.

These things affect smuggling moreso than the stats on paper.

You don't think significant handling benefits affect smuggling/evasion, vs straight line speed?
Hahaha, ok, it seems you've made up your mind.
Enjoy your Orca!