Ribtec 725 refurbishment

[fastasfox]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi All
Finally started to get the rib rebuilt:dance . Manage to get time to get the stringers glued in. Had the diesel heater on getting the boat tent to 18c (good idea beamishken), so it was quite warm. Also started to cut the rest with of the bulkheads and ribs out.
Thank for the info
Cheers Kevin

When you say boat tent, is that the one with the hard pump up floor like on paddle boards? They had one at last years BoatLife show.
I have toyed with the idea of using an old life raft for camping on the water (out of date rafts are so cheap) but I guess every time I would inflate it,someone would call the cost guard lol.
Are you pushing to get it ready for summer?

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Manage to get most of the bulkheads and ribs cut only got 4 more ribs for around the fuel tank area. Yes Alan the feeling is great when things are going back on.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by fastasfox

When you say boat tent, is that the one with the hard pump up floor like on paddle boards? They had one at last years BoatLife show.
I have toyed with the idea of using an old life raft for camping on the water (out of date rafts are so cheap) but I guess every time I would inflate it,someone would call the cost guard lol.
Are you pushing to get it ready for summer?

Hi fastasfox
Sorry my tent is a pole at the front of the rib with a rope attached and connected to the garage with a few tarpaulins over it. Simple but refective.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Just wee update with the rib. I have fibreglass in the ribs just need to do the bulkheads but the weather is not the best at the moment probably not get a chance til after the year.
Merry Christmas and have a good new year
Thank you the help
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi All
Manage to get sometime to get all the supports cut and in place, starting to take shape now.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Hope you all well, just a wee update on the boat. Not much been happening as the weather is rubbish and my tarpaulin over the boat has started to rip in the wind and needs replaced. Sizing up for a new fuel tank as the old one was only 150 ltrs.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
After the high winds my tarpaulin was in a bad way so got a poly tunnel and it seems to do a good job.

[kevinsc]

Hi all
As I'm waiting for the fuel tank, I started cutting out the plywood for the deck.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Got alot of the deck cut out, but need to put the fuel tank in, the fuel tank has a funny shape bottom which needs close cell foam installed underneath to hold it up and the gaps to filled with pu expanding foam. Could anyone shed some light on the best way to cut the foam to fit the underside to the tank and the hull of the rib not sure how to do it.
Thanks for the help
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi all
Got alot of the deck cut out, but need to put the fuel tank in, the fuel tank has a funny shape bottom which needs close cell foam installed underneath to hold it up and the gaps to filled with pu expanding foam. Could anyone shed some light on the best way to cut the foam to fit the underside to the tank and the hull of the rib not sure how to do it.
Thanks for the help
Cheers Kevin

You can get a 2 part pour in closed cell foam which would probably fine to sit the tank on as it will form to the shape. I've used polystyrene & kingspan below decks as bouyancy in the past as I'm not keen on the pour in stuff as it eventually degrades & soaks water but for a tank its probably the best option tbh

[Pipster100]

Hi, I’d personally stay away from expanding foam if you're installing a stainless steel tank. I had to replace my stainless tank last year as a chemical reaction between the stainless and foam caused the tank to develop tiny pin holes. My RIB was 2007 so I’m not saying you’re going to get issues immediately but my new tank is now bolted in place. I believe I’m not the first to have this issue either.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

You can get a 2 part pour in closed cell foam which would probably fine to sit the tank on as it will form to the shape. I've used polystyrene & kingspan below decks as bouyancy in the past as I'm not keen on the pour in stuff as it eventually degrades & soaks water but for a tank its probably the best option tbh

Hi beamishken
I take it I would get the tank to the correct height then pour the 2 part foam in till it fills the void under the tank.
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi beamishken
I take it I would get the tank to the correct height then pour the 2 part foam in till it fills the void under the tank.
Cheers Kevin

Yeh basically just be carefull as the foam expands massively, put too much in a sealed deck area etc it will force the deck up if nowhere to escape. Read the instructions carefully.

[Easedalenovice]

I would use any other method than expanding foam. It expand massively and getting it right is not at all easy. There must be a better way

[kevinsc]

Hi all
The tank was fitted with foam originally and is in ok condition. I didn't realise that the foam and stainless can have chemical reaction. There most be different types of foam to stop the chemical reaction. Will have to think about what foam to use and read the instructions, probably get a 1:1 ratio foam
Thanks for the help
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by Pipster100

Hi, I’d personally stay away from expanding foam if you're installing a stainless steel tank. I had to replace my stainless tank last year as a chemical reaction between the stainless and foam caused the tank to develop tiny pin holes. My RIB was 2007 so I’m not saying you’re going to get issues immediately but my new tank is now bolted in place. I believe I’m not the first to have this issue either.

Hi pipster
How did you bolt your tank to position and what did you use to support the tank
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi pipster
How did you bolt your tank to position and what did you use to support the tank
Cheers Kevin

Theres a risk of stainless corroding in any wet environment, there have been many instances of tanks failing in boats for various reasons but usually after a few years. Every attachment method has its risks, you'll never 100% guarantee a tank wont have a problem. Bolted brackets can create stress points & also crack. You can drive yourself mad thinking "what If" all you can do is use best practice as regards whatever method you use & hope for the best. The safest option is fit the tank where you have reasonable access to maintain it but thats not always possible. I've seen very expensive boats with fully moulded floors where access to a leaking tank cost 10's of thousands.

[kevinsc]

Hi beamishken
You make a fair point, it doesn't matter what way you install things they can break. Going to stick with installing the tank with foam as that is the way the tank was originally fitted.
Cheers Kevin

[Pipster100]

A local marine engineering company who build tanks built me a new one designed to be bolted in place with studs welded on top and brackets made so it could be bolted to the main stringers. Although the tank has angled sides it’s flat bottomed and Ribcraft glass a flat deck above the hull for the tank to sit on so very robust. The baffles in the tank (185 litre) add strength too.

[Pipster100]

Should have mentioned the tank is sitting on 6mm rubber matt too.