Surfer with Rib

[rusty McCaw]

Hi guys new here, I'm living on the coromandel in New Zealand and just bought a Aquapro alloy hull rib. The reason behind my purchase is
1: open up exploring the islands and outer reefs for surfing
2: to teach my boys about boating water safety, and how to ride the toys, fish snorkel and adventure on flat days

The boat is a 1999 3.2 Mtr pvc alloy hull, approx 75kg
Motor 1999 25hp 2stroke evenrude 55kg

The boat has just had a full service, new plugs ,gear oil, impeller, compression test (125psi even/cold), and a grease of all moving parts. Everything is in real good condition apart from the prop which will be replaced after some testing

Looking at either sticking with a stock prop or slightly up pitching to the 15...

Photos will be added once the weather clears,
I'm looking forward to getting a top speed test with two test props, finding the best balance to fix fuel tank, and best/safest way to carry surfboards without damage and upsetting the seating and quick manoeuvring of the boat in bigger seas

[Maximus]

Nice one!
And welcome to Ribnet!

[rusty McCaw]

Had the boat out today in small surf, no bigger than half a meter faces but was really good to feel the boat out catch some air and put it thru its paces. Will really need a new prop soon as their is cavitation thru harder turns and on heavy acceleration. I assume cupping a prop will give me more grip?? Will also need a better pump with gauge as I can't seem to get enough pressure in the tubes to keep things tight in these sort of conditions.

Any advice would be apreceated. Will try upload some pix tomorrow

[Maximus]

Have you checked the engine is mounted at the correct hight....before you change the prop?
A good rule of thumb is the cavitation plate just on,or breaking the surface at rest,when trimmed in.
As to pressure in the Tubes...with an SIB inflatable with the forces exerted (in the surf) it WILL be a bit "bendy"...Regardless of tube pressure...obviously under inflation will be worse

[rusty McCaw]

Hay max, yea I'm real happy with how the boat and motor are set up, bar the under inflation. As you asked yes the vent plate is perfectly swimming the surface on the plane....very little splash or drag. I must get a tachometer and see what the engine is pulling, so will be out with a light file to tidy up the edges on the current prop in-till I get a better idear on which way to go with prop pitch.

[SimonStDavids]

Hey rusty, I too am a surfer with a rib pretty green with envy with where you live though. I would love to go exploring for surf with my boat but it is all accessible beachies around here and easier to go by land

I take my boat into the surf pretty regularly though, not had the balls to take it into stuff much bigger than shoulder high yet but I find that is plenty for some good size jumps

As per your cavitation, i sometimes find mine will lose grip in a tight turn if the water is a bit frothy or I open it right up in a turn from a low speed. The same happens if i land quite stern heavy without much forward momentum but loads of revs in an surfline jump.

I have always put this down to additional air around the prop either due to froth or the prop taking air back in when it lands, as it doesn't happen outside the surfline and I think I have got my boat pretty well setup.

I find if I back off the throttle and then power on again full grip is restored

Tidying up your prop will help though.

Any pictures? Would love to the boating/surf over there...

[rusty McCaw]

As you ca see the previous owner run the prop up to the beach more than once... Will tidy this up after hours and re paint the Skeg

[rusty McCaw]

Been doing small chores on the boat, testing different trim settings and just getting to know the boat. Went for a blast up the local estuary today with my mrs and two boys on board and reached 48.7kph on the gps that's 26.26knots, I'm sure we had some slightly faster speeds with out the gps on so I'm happy.