5M Delta Project.....

[nick wood]

I have just acuired a 5m delta that has been sinking & drying out each day with her engine down since xmas! A fishing boat had backed in to it and smashed the port side tongue where the tube connects to the hull. The tube is not in 2 bad condition but has the odd hole. the rest of the hull is good! putting a new engine on it eventualy and will give it a tidy up. But re-doing the tongue is a good starting point i think, a good challange.

Has any one ever re built a tongue?

Shame RIB's get like this!

Pics to follow. it looks a sorry state!!!!

Nick

[Pete7]

Its good to have a project or two in the garden

[havener]

Have you talked to Delta? Their customer service is usually brilliant, I'm sure they'll have loads of help for you.

Simon

[nick wood]

Originally Posted by havener

Have you talked to Delta? Their customer service is usually brilliant, I'm sure they'll have loads of help for you.

Simon

Simon, yes good idea. I have started atempting the repair in the boat yard this weekend my self, I peeled the tube back and ground the GRP to get a key & then put 2 layers of strentherning glass just to keep the shap as not much meat left, I used some stiched strand mat.

I think It should be ok, I am just going to experiment.

I have sanded the consoles down ready for painting as they are all multi-coloured.... Iv stripped the transom of the A-frame and the metal engine supports and jammers for the drianing trunks etc... & will flow coat the transom.

Will take some photos tommorow...

Looks a sorry state but not as bad as when she was sunk in the harbour.

I am going to put a 50HP 4stroke on the back when finished does any one know a rough speed she should do with this engine? she is 5M long.

Nick

[Pete7]

Nick is this a standard 5.5m Delta so often seen as a dive boat? (almost triangular in shape, infact "Delta"). If it is then its not going to move with 50 hp. They have a very deep constant V hull and not much in the way of spray rails so need lots of umph to make them go. In the early days they were always advertised with 75-85hp Suzis. One operated on Rathlin Island with 2 x 40s but only at about 15 knots. Another was for sale for ages in Northerney Marina with a V6 150 hp Merc, albeit a little OTT.

Pete

[Daibheid]

Originally Posted by nick wood

I am going to put a 50HP 4stroke on the back when finished does any one know a rough speed she should do with this engine? she is 5M long.

Nick

I've driven a few Deltas and they seem to need more HP than any other boat of similar size. I think Pete got it exactly right - that big deep V. Very stable but I'd venture you'll need at least an 80HP 2stroke for decent performance.

I also seem to recall the 5m being a bit low on buoynacy/freeboard at the transom so you might want to be careful of engine weight i.e. fourstrokes if for example you want to carry divers.

A friend has had a Delta 5.5 for years with one of those 'Gulf War' Johnson 150hp V6 2strokes. As Pete suspects maybe a bit OTT but great fun -50Knots plus - what's not to like?

Good luck with the restoration.