New RIB (Well new to me!) - Porters 5m

[GuyP]

After a 6 month search for a decently priced project boat, i've just bought this year 2000 Porters 5m Barracuda with a Totahsu 50 2-stroke. I've got the following plans for it:

1. Hull - chip repairs and polish
2. Tubes - remove lettering, clean, polish and add wear patches
3. A-frame - design and fit
4. Electrics - totally rewire and add bilge pump and nav lights
5. Trailer - needs a little TLC
6. Other - repaint the non-slip and maybe the jockey console

Really looking forward to getting started.

Does anyone know what hull the Barracuda is based on? I originally thought it was a Ribtec 455 / 535 but it seems to have more beam than that.

[matt h]

looks a very capable boat!! nice !

[Pete7]

Does look very similar to the Ribtec 535, with an extra flange just under the tubes. From memory the Ribtec 535 has an internal beam of 1.1m so the extra flange would explain your 1.2m beam. Nice little boats that go well with smaller engines and easy to launch even across a sandy beach if need be.


Photo of Kernows 535.

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....chmentid=12613

[GuyP]

Thanks Pete

They certainly look very similar. Here's an old pic of the transom - it looks like a flange could have been added.

She's looking a lot better now. All the lettering is off, hull chips and scrapes repaired and prop and skeg repairs done.

I'll post some new pics when I get the chance.

[Pete7]

However, have a look at Tim Ms Avon 5.4m in the for sale section, also very similar. Suspect you will need a tape measure and a bit of detective work to find the answer.

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19513

Pete

[GuyP]

Just thought I'd post some updated pics, as the tube reconditioning is now finished. It's been a hell of a lot of work but I can't believe how well they've come out.

The 1st and 2nd pics show the condition that I picked it up in.

The 3rd pic is half way through 3 days of removing advertising stickers with a hairdryer (don't under estimate how difficult it is to get those little b&st%rds off!)

The 4th and 5th show it after a) cleansing with diluted TFR, b) removing oxidation with Toluene (thanks to paul Tilley for the tip), c) applying two coats of 303 Aerospace protector

Looks almost new!! Hopefully dipping it in the water tomorrow

[Biggles]

10 out of 10 for the tube work. I'm impressed you can join the 'Biggles' club of nice shiny boats now.

Thats a cracking job you've done there.

[GuyP]

Cheers Biggles, next job is to teach myself some basic boat electrics and wire up the Garmin GPS

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by GuyP

Cheers Biggles, next job is to teach myself some basic boat electrics and wire up the Garmin GPS

Its easy. Just think Negative is King and solder ends and protect with something.

And it gets very complicated looking very quickly. Thats the norm. You don't need to spend a lot on marine stuff just think about what you want to do.

[Hugh Jardon]

all i can say is wow....what a job you did on those tubes...amazing