Project Martini - Arctic 28

martini · 03 March 2008, 18:18

This beast of a rib turned up at the docks for me this evening, can't wait to get stuck in! Although the amount of work I've got ahead of me is a bit daunting if I think about it too much!

The basic plan of attack is:

Pair of S/H Mercury Optimax 225's should be on their way from USA as we speak.
Tubes off for access.
Deck off to be replaced with new ply sheathed in GRP with non slip additive.
New Parker Ribs "Neptune" console.
Keeping 4 of the original seats for the time being, but might replace them with new ones at a later date.
Tubes back on.
Off we go!

Sounds easy when I put it like that!

Wish me luck

codprawn · 03 March 2008, 18:22

Will be great when it's finally finished - keep posting pics. Is that an airbraked trailer???

martini · 03 March 2008, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Will be great when it's finally finished - keep posting pics. Is that an airbraked trailer???

Will do, yes luckily it doesn't need to be connected up to release the brakes but its still a huge thing to be towing on Jersey roads behind an Isuzu Trooper! I've just had to make a new towing eye for it as the existing one was too big to fit the car. Luckily I'm in the right trade for obstacles like this!

Nos4r2 · 03 March 2008, 18:40

I think the brand new seat pads Matt H is selling are from an arctic 28.

Limey Linda · 03 March 2008, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

its still a huge thing to be towing on Jersey roads behind an Isuzu Trooper!

You are a braver man than me, are you sure you want to do that.

martini · 03 March 2008, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I think the brand new seat pads Matt H is selling are from an arctic 28.

Thanks for that, mine are all in good nick so I thought I might as well hang on to a couple for now.

The console c/w pilot and co pilot seats and a pair of double jockey seats will be up surplus to requirements and up for grabs if anyone's interested. Email me for HQ pics.

Tim M · 04 March 2008, 15:54

Thats a really good looking project. Theres a really nice one thats been done up on Apollo duck - complete with white deck and seating for 6. Up for £55k! Dread to think how much fuel it will use

martini · 04 March 2008, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Thats a really good looking project. Theres a really nice one thats been done up on Apollo duck - complete with white deck and seating for 6. Up for £55k! Dread to think how much fuel it will use

Very similar to what I'm doing, only not as good! I'm hoping to hang on to the military/commercial feel a bit more than that one while making it more suitable to leisure use and long distance cruising.

I was secretly hoping to have it ready to get me to Ribex 08 but time's slipping away fast and I'd rather do it right than do it fast.

Nos4r2 · 04 March 2008, 19:07

I do envy you-I was driving past Port Solent earlier and someone was nailing around in one outside VT Halmatic... It looked awesome.

martini · 06 March 2008, 16:05

I've got her parked up in the driveway now, thats when it struck me just how huge this thing is!

Towing her on the road wasn't too bad at all, tho the Isuzu got rather warm after going a mile and a half up hill

The biggest struggle is the initial pulling away from a standstill, I really noticed it when I was backwards and forwards trying to get the boat in the driveway.

Lostboy · 06 March 2008, 16:17

You didn't want to be using your front door for a while then

Limey Linda · 06 March 2008, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

I've got her parked up in the driveway now, thats when it struck me just how huge this thing is!

Towing her on the road wasn't too bad at all, tho the Isuzu got rather warm after going a mile and a half up hill

The biggest struggle is the initial pulling away from a standstill, I really noticed it when I was backwards and forwards trying to get the boat in the driveway.

And, remember you do not have engine on yet. I suggest you find an alternative to the Izzi. Is the Izzi an auto and if so you may want to do a transmission oil change. Don't want to appear pessimistic but been there before.

martini · 06 March 2008, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

And, remember you do not have engine on yet. I suggest you find an alternative to the Izzi. Is the Izzi an auto and if so you may want to do a transmission oil change. Don't want to appear pessimistic but been there before.

Its a manual, I'm thinking about taking the front prop shaft off so I can use low range on the road, tried it as it is and it didn't like it, even a short distance. Wish I still had my old Rangie

codprawn · 06 March 2008, 16:57

Yes full time 4wd has major advantages!!!

martini · 08 March 2008, 18:22

DAY 1: "Deconstruction"

It's been mentioned on here before about how many screws hold down the deck on a Halmatic....they weren't lying!

Got a good days work in today, console and jockey seats taken out and centre section of the deck removed. No major suprises that I could find, every thing looks in good condition including the tanks. It's obviously had a refit, in 2002 going by the date on the new fuel lines. A new control box and cables have been fitted but they left the old cables in situ (too many screws!!)

Theres a lot of warping in the top of the stainless tanks but my guess is they have been like that since it was first welded up so I'm not too concerned. Anyone come across this before?

When you start taking things apart on this boat you start to see the quality in the materials used and in the workmanship, very pleasing to find!

Will post pics with the deck removed tomorrow as it was a bit dark by stage.

martini · 08 March 2008, 18:25

more:

martini · 08 March 2008, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

It's been mentioned on here before about how many screws hold down the deck on a Halmatic....they weren't lying!

Nett result of 2 cordless drivers going non stop all day!!

martini · 09 March 2008, 17:41

Few pics with deck removed showing fuel tanks and foam buoyancy

jwalker · 09 March 2008, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Theres a lot of warping in the top of the stainless tanks but my guess is they have been like that since it was first welded up so I'm not too concerned. Anyone come across this before?

I think your guess is correct. I've made stainless tanks and there was no way I could prevent the sheets taking a bend when welding.

It's a nice project. You've done a lot for one day's work!

Nos4r2 · 09 March 2008, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Its a manual, I'm thinking about taking the front prop shaft off so I can use low range on the road, tried it as it is and it didn't like it, even a short distance. Wish I still had my old Rangie

See if you can find out if a set of freewheeling hubs from an early 2.8 Trooper will fit. I've got them on my Mu and it means you don't have to lose 4wd if you need to use it.