Using the shell of a rib to build a boat.

[Albert Jr.]

I have a rib shell that I found a while ago and it has been sitting in my yard
taking up space. I'm thinking maybe I can plank around the shell
to build a skiff out of it.

Has anyone here done it ?
If so, could you give me some pointers ?

Regards,
Albert.

[Poly]

Sounds like a very expensive way to end up with a frankenstein boat which you will struggle to resell...

[treerat]

Originally Posted by Albert Jr.

I have a rib shell that I found a while ago and it has been sitting in my yard
taking up space. I'm thinking maybe I can plank around the shell
to build a skiff out of it.

Has anyone here done it ?
If so, could you give me some pointers ?

Regards,
Albert.

I take it you mean a rib hull with no tubes? Why not re tube her and use as designed. Adding top weight with wood wouldn't be my preferred rebuild.

Any pics?

[Albert Jr.]

Originally Posted by treerat

I take it you mean a rib hull with no tubes? Why not re tube her and use as designed. Adding top weight with wood wouldn't be my preferred rebuild.

Any pics?

I searched for new tubes for a while but I haven't found anything.
The old tubes were already full of holes and repatching just seemed
like a lost cause. Using the hull to build a skiff just seemed like a better option.

I'll take a few pics later.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Poly

Sounds like a very expensive way to end up with a frankenstein boat which you will struggle to resell...

......Even just for your own use,if your Building skills are anything less than 100%! may end up with something being Danger to yourself maybe others...plenty of super cheap Hard Boats/projects about...( enough bad publicity from what Poly calls "Frankenstein craft"Already!
If it's past re-tubing ect and useing as a RIB....Bin it!...and use the space for something else, more productive.

[Poly]

If you have the old tubes, there are quite a few suppliers in the UK who would build new tubes for you to fit yourself. If you don't have the old tubes anymore they will still be able to help (but might need the boat). There must be some Dutch tube makers?

new tubes aren't cheap, but would give you a sensible boat that could be sold in the future. If you are really ambitious and have a good workshop space you could try making your own tubes - a lot of the cost is labour.