12ft Metzeler

[Hans]

Sorry , I put this in the wrong place the first time.

Hello,
I have a 1980 Metzel non Rib. I would like to put a rib bottom on. I have no clue were to go for info on this task....
Any help...links...how to do`s would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Hans

[jyasaki]

Little more info?

Is the current state a hardboat, or a soft-bottom inflatable?

Odds are, you'd be better off purchasing a RIB and selling the current boat rather than trying to kludge something together.

But, hey, don't let me stop you...


jky

[Hans]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Little more info?

Is the current state a hardboat, or a soft-bottom inflatable?

Odds are, you'd be better off purchasing a RIB and selling the current boat rather than trying to kludge something together.

But, hey, don't let me stop you...


jky

Its a soft bottom boat. Cant sell, Boat was handed down. So.. just trying to make it more derable for our rough lakes and streams.
Thanks

[psychopic]

i think that you might have problems trying to find a hull to match tubes, usually tubes are made to match a hull. A bit like building a roof of a house, then trying to find a building that it exactly fits on. I guess the only way it could be done is if Metzel also makes ribs, and they share the exact same tubes as the your soft bottom boat, you may be able to search for an old hull. As your tubes are now almost 30 years old, would they survive major works?

Don't let me stop you though, there may be someone somewhere who will have the answer you are looking for

[genoa]

Originally Posted by Hans

Cant sell, Boat was handed down. Thanks

I too had a boat handed down. I keep it in the garage and when my 97 year old Dad comes by he is really impressed I keep it looking so good when he hears all the stories about where we go etc. We have never felt the need to tell him about the Ribeye Sport we keep in a local barn!!

[Hans]

Thanks for the replys,
The metzeler is still in great shape for it age. Not to many pin holes or fabric showing through in the tubs, So ..Yes, I do think they would servive the rebuild. I didnt know that the tubes were made to match the hull. I`ll try and do a better search for the Metzeler web sight and see what comes up, But I dont think they do offer rib boats off hand.
My Dad was also impressed that I still have the boat.Its been a great boat.
If I can pull this off.. maybe hand it down to my son or daughter.

Thanks again for all the help

Regards, Hans

[jyasaki]

I heard rumors a while back about someone making an insert that sat above the SIB's soft-bottom, but gave it some hard shape. Have no idea who it was, or even *if* it was.

The idea is sort of intriguing, though. It wouldn't have the ride of a RIB, but it would probably improve a bit over a normal SIB.

jky