Eeyore...

[Nigel]

Unfortunately, the tubes on my RIB "Eeyore" finally gave up the ghost after a Cowes Week spent bouncing up and down in the melee of boats on the Island Sailing Club pontoon.

The 7 year old Hypalon was, admittedly, already on it's last legs after a hard life permanently in the water with little protecton for the tubes against UV (is this normal?); and an incident with a nail on the Port Solent waiting pontoon (pic.1) which had been patched a couple of weeks before. At Cowes the bow area developed an unfortunate hernia overnight when the matting mesh gave up, and had split next to the bow fitting (pic.2) by morning.

The Good News is that this morning I dropped of the boat to be re-tubed and will post details of the progress. I look forward to sharing pictures of her restoration to full glory (why are boats always 'she's?).

Nigel

[Richard B]

Sorry to see that, Nigel.

I think you're right about UV - our 7-year old tubes are in great condition, but are always covered and kept ashore.

[Nigel]

Thanks Richard!

I'm glad that the new Hypalon comes with a 5 year warranty.

The old tubes are off now and most of the new hypalon cut out for glueing.

Nigel

[Nigel]

The tubes are now made and waiting to have the fittings (cleats & wear patches) added before being attached to the hull. I've had high pressure relief valves fitted as the darker blue does tend to absorb a lot of heat.


Nigel

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, 1908

[Nick Hearne]

Hi Nigel, those new tubes will make the rib look like new!
How are you having make them & what cost?
I kneed to ether put where patches on the top of my tubes or replace them!
Nick

[willowkis]

It's looking good Nigel, it will definately look like a new rib...

Kim

[Rogue Wave]

I think boats are classed with a female gender because guys fall in love with them (as in wimmen) and then they take all your money and treat you mean and punish you severely for any little mistake you make. but every now and then if you do everything properly and your lucks in there is usually one or two good rides to be had.

[willowkis]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I think boats are classed with a female gender because guys fall in love with them (as in wimmen) and then they take all your money and treat you mean and punish you severely for any little mistake you make. but every know and then if you do everything properly and your lucks in there is usually one or two good rides to be had.

CHARMING!!! I am speechless..... Apart from one comment....... It's all lies.....

Kim

[robin]

I will say this only once from behind a large stack of sandbags.......

About 3 years ago I was taking ownership of a boat. As is custom on these occasions it was deemed fit to pour (not break) an alcoholic beverage of some ilk over the bow of said vessel in order to please neptune and other such dieties.

I had taken out a mortgage for a bottle of Bolly for the boat and had also bought some (some!) cold John Smiths and Guiness for the mortals to imbibe thereafter.

I was about to pop the cork on the champers to do the deed when this (yorkshire, male) voice piped up......''eee tha's not gonna give 'er sham-pain is tha'....all boats are wimmin tha' knows and if ya start 'er off on sham-pain then she'll expect it all t' time........tha' knows''.

Needless to say.....John Smith's was poured over that bow, that day.

TAKE COVER

Nigel....did I see your boat beached on The Brambles last week at the Crikkit?

[The Jackeens]

WE ARE NOT AMUSED

RIBbing Sorority

[chrisallse]

great pics Robin

[slimtim]

Nigel,

Do you have any pics of the tube being fitted? Could you give me any advice/guidance on how this is done? The reason I ask is that I'm planning to fit a tube to hull myself and need to know the theory behind it!

Cheers

Tim

[Nigel]

I’d better remain PC and not comment about some of these posts
No, Robin, regretfully not me at the ‘cricket’ – I was grounded after the damage at Cowes week. Slimtim - here's the pictures, and good luck with your project!

The Rib retube is coming along really well and I was glad to see the tubes being fitted today when I stopped by today.

First off the Tubes have been glued to the hull (pic 1). I am told there is a strip of Hypalon glued between the bottom of tube and the top surface of the hull for protection as this was a bit rough in places.
The tubes were then weighted down / strapped in for the glue to set (pics. 2 & 3).
Next, strips from the underside of the hull onto the tubes have been put on (pic. 4)

Extra layers of strips of Hypalon will need to be put around the bow area to stop the tube peeling back when I stuff the back of a wave! (pic 5.)

An added bonus is that I’m really pleased the tube builder has managed to widen the internal beam a little during the fitting process. Now I can walk around my console from inside the boat rather than having to walk along the top of the tubes to get forward.

Nigel


"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, 1908.

[slimtim]

Nigel,

Thanks for the pics, they are excellent.

Cheers,

Tim

[Nigel]

The re-tube is nearly finished and I am really pleased with the difference it has made.

The tubes are all glued on and the ‘D’ fendering attached all round with an extra bit of trimmed ‘D’ section over the bow to take the painter or anchor line.

All that is left to do is to add the grab handles and safety lines – you can see the areas taped out where the first layer of glue for these has been put on. There will also be some extra wear patches either side of the ‘D’ section on the bow to protect the tubes if the anchor line misses the guide when it is being pulled in – this is where the last tubes wore the most.

I hope the weather’s good tomorrow as I hope to get her back on the water as soon as possible!

Nigel


"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, 1908.

[Nigel]

I got the boat back this morning and very pleased with the result - the boat is transformed!



Nigel

[robin]

A fine looking boat. Who did the tubes Nigel?

[Biggles]

Nigel

Your new tubes look great. (Said the Bishop to the actress)

Dare I ask how much that cost ?

Also I spy Dole fins on your outboard. Do you recommend them ? All my friends have them, however they seem to be viewed with some suspicion by folks on this sight. What are your thoughts ?

Regards Nick R

PS. You can E Mail me if you like.

[Mark Halliday]

Looking good Nigel

Nice to see you kept the BWM rounded cones.
Thing is, it looks very much like you have a DS 21 not an 18 as your profile says.

[Nigel]

Thanks for the comments – Please PM me if anyone wants more details. I’m glad I was able to take the pictures as the job was being done as I learnt a lot and appreciate the painstaking job that has been done.

Mark, it really is only an 18' & it was great to be able to get an exact copy of the old tubes made – even down to the rounded cones

Nick, the re-tube really was value for money & extended the life of the boat. I find that for my use of this boat in its current layout, the fins do an excellent job. They just get the hull on the plane below the 10 knot harbour speed limit & help get more of the tubes out of the water at faster speeds. If I were having another DS18 built I would want to put the seats / console further forward to try to balance a heavy 4-stroke engine in another way - I’ve seen newer, similar hulls with consoles a lot further forward.

Nigel


"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, 1908