My first RIB on a budget

[CraigDiver]

Hi,

I have bought this RIB (£20!). It is a Flatacraft Force 4 commercial. The Hypalon tubes have a couple of pinhole leaks, but seem repairable. The main problem I have is that the nice man who I bought it off thought it would be a good idea to remove the external tape holding the tubes to the hull!. I have purchased 2-part adhesive & solvent from Polymarine to repair. The problem is I am struggling to come up with a suitable location to glue this back together again (needs to be in warm dry environment).

Can anyone suggest someone up my way (Fife, Scotland) that repairs RIBs that could do the work for me?



Regards

CraigDiver

[CraigDiver]

Since i'm on a budget, maybe I should just invest in 10 rolls of gaffa tape, stick it together with that and wear my drysuit and scuba gear (i'll probably need it!) when we go out for the first time!

Maybe not :-(

CraigDiver (frustrated as have 35hp johnson engine sitting and desperate to get on the water)

[Andy Moore]

She looks a bit, er uncomfortable, sat on those slabs. Can you sort out something a little more appropriate?

[fast fred]

cold ware you are ? how is the tube held on ? is thare a glue strip on the inside(deak side) and the out side ( ware the tube and hull meet on the sides, outside)? screws? maybe just glued on ,it lookin from hear.

[CraigDiver]

Originally Posted by fast fred

cold ware you are ? how is the tube held on ? is thare a glue strip on the inside(deak side) and the out side ( ware the tube and hull meet on the sides, outside)? screws? maybe just glued on ,it lookin from hear.

Yes, the ambient temperature at the moment is around 40 degrees F, and very wet. In summer, on a good day, reaches mid 60's degrees F.

there is a tape in-between the tubes and the hull (only glued to hull) to prevent the hull damaging the tubes. There is an internal tape which is attached very well between the hull and the tubes. All that is missing is an external tape holding the tubes down onto the hull.

Picking up trailer at weekend.

CraigDiver

[Rogue Wave]

10 rolls of gaffa tape,,,,,, well worse things happen at Sea I suppose

If you want it done professionally then nip down to Glasgow and ask Cosalt to give you a price, if you want some where closer best wait for reply from a sweaty. Any Commercial Norf Sea rib driver will know how to fix it if you have any up by you. You can, however, do it yourdelf quite easily.H

Have a chat with your local garage or tyre shop etc . and explain to them what you are up to and ask if you can have a space for a few days, Build a tent around the boat and put a safe form of heat in the boat. tubular greenhouse heater electric oil filled radiator or an infra red heater and gently simmer for a day, The heater stay on low heat and you are in attendance at all times.

Prepare the surfaces scrupulously and start sticking Local heat can be applied via a decorators heat gun (not too much OK!) held a good 9 inches away

I'd advise you discuss with Polymarine whether or not you should ramp up the hardner to gloo ration to compensate for the cold.

One other thing don't let your impatience get in the way of doing a good job. time spent in preparation is seldom wasted!

good luck and happy ribbing

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Have a chat with your local garage or tyre shop etc . and explain to them what you are up to and ask if you can have a space for a few days, Build a tent around the boat and put a safe form of heat in the boat.

There's a workshop down on the south coast that you could use for a couple of days, the only problem is that some nob has parked a bus in it!

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

There's a workshop down on the south coast that you could use for a couple of days, the only problem is that some nob has parked a bus in it!

It fits nicely doesn't it! ding ding!

I bought it for Mannings nipper for Christmas ir'll be in Wolverhampton by the 24th

[fast fred]

"I'd advise you discuss with Polymarine whether or not you should ramp up the hardner to gloo ration to compensate for the cold."

No, it makes the glue brittle if you over kickit.

"time spent in preparation is seldom wasted! "
yup.

fit the tube and mark it, before you even open the glue.

[CraigDiver]

Anybody got contact details for 'sweaty'?

Thanks for all your advice, if I end up doing it myself, looks easy enough, just scared that it is such a critical thing (hull seperating from tubes at sea - ouch!). My understanding is glue to curing agent 25:1, workspace should be heated up to between 18-25 degrees.

I will prepare hypalon thoroughly by gently rubbing down to remove any old glue and clean with solvent. GRP sanded down until matt, cleaned, 3 thin coats of glue applied and allowed to dry.

then apply glue to both hypalon and GRP, allow to dry to touch and apply with as much pressure as possible.

Any additions, comments on this?

CraigDiver