Ribtec Re-build

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:38

This boat came into work having been out in Barbados for 4 years. I managed to purchase it for a small amount with the idea of restoring it. The engines were a Mariner 5hp foustroke which I sold, and the 200hp Mariner on the back now. The engine is 1999 and has roughly 40 hours on it. I ran it up and it started first time after not being run for the last year. The floor had been taken up before but this was only done to move the position of the two underfloor fuel tanks. The floor was then screwed back down and left as it was to get soaking wet and rot.

After I removed the seat and console and took off the screwed down floor panels I was left with this.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:41

I then set about cutting out the fibreglass which used to have wood in!!

After cleaning up the mess I started to fit the new bulkhead panels. These will be reinforced with fibreglass.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:42

and some more

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:44

Next I fitted the side panels. The original ones were only fibreglassed halfway up so the tops absorbed moisture which spread down.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:46

And the same panel but showing all the bulkeads aswell.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:48

The second side panel in place, plus the extra small bulkheads behind the side panels for extra hull rigidity.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:50

Finally I had to continue the panels up the bow and under the solid bit of floor.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:52

All the bulkeads and panels in I put the hatch in place to check correct hight and width before they panels are all fibre glassed in place.

tue · 09 February 2004, 18:54

I am now in the process of getting our moulder in to fibreglass in my panels so I can start on the floor panels themselves. Will post more pics when I have them.

Pete7 · 09 February 2004, 21:46

Wow, some serious amount of work going into the hull and the time each part takes to complete is just astonishing. Looks good though.

wish you the best as you battle though the winter with the work but it will be worth it during the summer when she slides of the trailer for the first time.

Pete

jwalker · 09 February 2004, 22:09

OSB.

Phil Chitty · 10 February 2004, 07:27

Looks like a serious project tue.

I wish you luck and many fine water hours.

Cookee · 10 February 2004, 08:34

You must be getting your marine ply from a different supplier 'cos ours looks a lot different to that!

Rene · 10 February 2004, 11:50

Hi

Good luck with that boat. When you have finised with it, it will be worth every minute of the work you put into it.

The work you have done looks great. It's does take a lot of time dosn't it?

Regards
Rene

Mark Halliday · 10 February 2004, 13:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Cookee
You must be getting your marine ply from a different supplier 'cos ours looks a lot different to that!

Looks more like Stirling Board to me. Generally used for roof construction and general building work.

Not wanting to put a downer on what looks like some realy good work, but are yo sure it is strong enough?
Ply is made up from thin veneers of timber glued at right-angles in each ply to give strength in both planes. SB is basically big chip board, and bonded with phenolic resin in a press. It is very water resistant but will not have as much resistance to flexing.
Having said that, it would make a strong core if laminated over with GRP.

tue · 10 February 2004, 17:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark Halliday
Having said that, it would make a strong core if laminated over with GRP.

Thats the general idea. It will be totally covered with several layers of GRP. This will mean the wood is totaly sealed and give me very strong bulkheads. I am also going to have all the original bits I have not had to remove glassed aswell so as to produce a nice looking and solid finish to the whole of the boats structure.

gavin · 10 February 2004, 17:48

Just concerned about Sterling Board, is this okay,I know it will be laminated over to give it strength, but ply on its side marine ply with wax impregnated veneer laminations, would seem a tougher bulkhead.You are going the whole hog here fair play its a big project, well worth doing, check this link www.fibreglast.com
www.boatdesign.net
lots of articles here good luck with the work

Cookee · 10 February 2004, 18:09

For what it's worth we would never use anything other than full on marine ply ......................

chrisallse · 10 February 2004, 19:53

I must say i am suprised that the original ply? deteriarated as much as it did. How old is the boat and do Rintec still make them like that? What made you decide on Stirling Board over MPly?

Neville · 10 February 2004, 20:14

Whilst sterling board is not the best core to use (it soaks up water like a sponge after a while - builders may well swear by it but believe me its crap and falls to bits) this shouldnt really mater if you can stop the water from entering in the first place.

Ideally a coat of epoxy first and then a couple layers of 1 1/2 oz csm & polyseter resin. It is really important to glass over the top, this can be a bit of a pig to do so make the top edges nice and rounded with a planer, even then it can be difficult to avoid air bubbles at the side. Failing to glass over the top and water will enter and wick its way down the side of the fibreglass and you will be back to square one.

Many cores can be used such as polyurethane foam (excellent as it doesnt soak up water) balsa cores, cardboards etc. The strength of the core doesnt really matter because the panel will get strength from the bond between the two composites. Obviosly You wouldnt make a load bearing transom from a bit of cardboard and a layer of csm but you would be surprised what builders can do with modern core technology on racing boats. Good luck.