Fun after my retube

[jezza2011]

well this is the 4th trip out on my Rib after its retube and mn is it going well.
BUT... when recovering it last time out I noticed it seemed little "heavy" when revocering it.
I put it down to the steep slipway and thought nothing of it.
Sunday had a good blast out and it was running flawlessly.
Recovered and again hmm I dont remember it being this much effort to drag it back onto the trailer.

Sooo. today while cleaning it noticed while sitting in on the deck noticed a sloshing noise. hmm
Fuel, nope.
Oil in oil tank..nope
Oh dear.... Water in the Hull space..
Checked the bolts that go through the hull and one was not even close to be tight!!!

AND NO SEALANT on any of them!

I know the A frame was taken off when it was retubed but leaving one bolt loose so water can get in is a basic error.

The problem is my hull is , or was unitll I drilled into it to put a 6mm tube in to see what was going on, seled.

So Experts how do I get all the water out?
Have shyponed alot out.


I expect water may have been getting in for a long time. how much damage will it do to the inner hull?

Should I be very concerned??

HELP!

[Bigmuz7]

Who did the retube work out of interest ? pm me if you dont wish to post as I am about to have the same done to my boat

[captnjack]

Is there no drain for the inner hull space?

At least over here in the States most trailered boats have a drain for otherwise "sealed" hulls since they inevitably get water inside at times.

You might wish to install a drain with plug in the lower portion of the transom. You need to get the water out as GRP will absorb water getting heavier and weaker too. And most certainly you wouldn't want the water to freeze inside either.

[jezza2011]

Well I noticed it today so I have no Idea how long the waters been in there.
The boat has a sump at the tansom so there is gap between the tansom and the actual hull void.
If that makes sense
So I would hve to dill through the transom and across the sump to get to the hull voild.
Unless somone local has a 90 degree drill

[captnjack]

Are you sure the floor of the sump is bonded to the inner portion of the hull? The Avon hulls I have seen with that feature have a gap in between (and an inner hull drain too). We don't have Ribtec's over here so I am not familar with your hull.

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

Well I noticed it today so I have no Idea how long the waters been in there.
The boat has a sump at the tansom so there is gap between the tansom and the actual hull void.
If that makes sense
So I would hve to dill through the transom and across the sump to get to the hull voild.
Unless somone local has a 90 degree drill

Jezza my Ribtec 535 (and 585) both had drain points on the bottom of the V of the hull, there was a gap between the bottom of the sump and the hull which the water would pass between easily. Have a look at the V in front of the outboard leg, any sign of a filled hole/removed bung? Ribshop sell the actual Ribtec bung and fitting.

[jezza2011]

Hi Kernow. I wish there was.
No the transom is flat no bungs or holes.
The sump has my transducer in it so I know its solid to the outer hull from the sump.
My Ribtec is a very very early one.
on of the first ones.
bought it from the boat show in 1991. so wayyyy old. they did some significant changes to the hull after that.

I think the words I am looking for are ARSE and BUGGER ;-)

[Kernow Buoy]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

Hi Kernow. I wish there was.
No the transom is flat no bungs or holes.
The sump has my transducer in it so I know its solid to the outer hull from the sump.
My Ribtec is a very very early one.
on of the first ones.
bought it from the boat show in 1991. so wayyyy old. they did some significant changes to the hull after that.

I think the words I am looking for are ARSE and BUGGER ;-)

Ah, pity My 535 was a 96 and the 585 is a 95 so fairly early ones too. The 535 hull never took in a drop of water but the 585 let water in via the under deck trunking. May be worth asking Biffer, font of knowledge on Ribtec's

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

Checked the bolts that go through the hull and one was not even close to be tight!!!

AND NO SEALANT on any of them!

I know the A frame was taken off when it was retubed but leaving one bolt loose so water can get in is a basic error.

maybe but its also not the worst fault we've seen mentioned by a supplier on here even in the past few months! I guess its possible it was tight and worked loose.

The problem is my hull is , or was unitll I drilled into it to put a 6mm tube in to see what was going on, seled.

it says a lot for the original build that it lasted 20 years before any water got in there. Most boats have a drain.

So Experts how do I get all the water out?
Have shyponed alot out.

I would add a drain. If the sump is too small for a drill then perhaps a dremel?

I expect water may have been getting in for a long time. how much damage will it do to the inner hull?

Should I be very concerned??

Many boats have water slopping about the bilges. Its not ideal but if you are talking about a few weeks or months of wetness it is not going to have done any damage. Fit the drain and you will be right as rain (assuming of course the underside of your deck was sealed before fitting).

[jezza2011]

Thanks Polwart.
Not sure if the under side of the deck is sealed/glassed
from what came out then no. it may not be. But its not bouncy or spongy in any way.
nice clear noise when you tap it.

I guess worst case I would have to chop out the whole floor and re glass a new marine ply floor.
Re-glass in.... Ohhh sounds like a big job.

drilling in it seemed quite wet and not too solid.

Thinking of putting a hatch in or taking the time to chop out a big enough section to see exctly whats going on.

But as its going well seems solid and sturdy I am hesitant to start making big holes.

[jezza2011]

I wonder if the origional Ribtac guys are about.?

[Poly]

Unless it has been sitting soaking for months I'd be surprised if it has rotten.

Originally Posted by jezza2011

I wonder if the origional Ribtac guys are about.?

PM Biffer, he used to work for them. He'll probably be able to confirm if the underside was glassed over before fitting etc. He's very practical and I am sure will have a suggestion on an easy fix too!

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Who did the retube work out of interest ? pm me if you dont wish to post as I am about to have the same done to my boat

Bump

[matt h]

if you have to put a bung in it its easily do-able with one of these and should take you 20 mins to do a Propeerr job!

[Ribshop]

Rarely the underside of the Ribtec decks were glassed but they would have had a coat of polyester resign before they were put down. As matt h says, use the proper tool and a bung can go into that inner bulkhead in a few minutes.
I would still be a bit annoyed that a simple job was not done properly on the re-fit tough.

[jezza2011]

Ok if its been sealed then it looks like the water has been getting in for some time and has got into the ply.

What came out on the drill bit didnt look good.

But like I said there is no bounce or spongyness in the deck.

I am seriously considering putting a deck hatch in at the back

like this.
eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

at least I will be able to see whats what.
what do you all think?

also a drain bung.

[Ribshop]

Dont use one of those hatches on the deck it wont last 5 min, and they are far from waterproof. how old is the Hull?

[jezza2011]

Hi dam Just ordered one!

the hull is 20 years old

1991

[kubcat]

Originally Posted by jezza2011

Hi dam Just ordered one!

the hull is 20 years old

1991

I put one in as well. Hasn't broken yet.

[jezza2011]

Ok Kubcat is it the same type/make.

Fitting a drain is easy by the looks. the 90 degree drills are about 4.5 inches long I may struggle with one getting it in the space.

but if as I fear waters been getting in slowly over a long time then chopping out the floor would be my only option?

Any suggestions anyone?
Or how much it will cost me for some one to do it.