The Newbie with a Project - Ribtec 655

[Mode]

Thanks for the tips but no need to worry! My brother in law (whose yard the boat is in) is a mechanic and we are putting on new wheels and other parts (brakes etc). The trailer is the one bit I am OK on - ie brother in law is fixing it!! LOL

Cheers

Keith

[jeffstevens763@g]

fair point Ben re-age i was looking at the pic on the second page which doesn't look half bad then went back to the first pics such a shame for a boat to be left like that.

but mode you have it sorted with the brother in law why not jack her up on blocks get the trailer out and they can be both worked on at the same time.

[Bern Hanreck]

Originally Posted by Mode

Thanks for the tips but no need to worry! My brother in law (whose yard the boat is in) is a mechanic and we are putting on new wheels and other parts (brakes etc). The trailer is the one bit I am OK on - ie brother in law is fixing it!! LOL

Cheers

Keith

OK , that's great !

Did you ever find a marine engineer in Essex ? If not , try The Boat Shop in Rainham , Essex ........tel 01708 523016 ..... They may be able to help .

[Mode]

I found "Mike the Outboard" in Southend who travels to the engine!

Waiting for him to come back to me with a date though! Am chasing him!

[Mode]

Hi All

Productive morning at the boat today:-

Fitted new winch and jockey wheel to the trailer. (pic)
Repaired three pin prick holes in the tubes (pic with one coat of the glue drying!)
Fixed the rubbing strake where it had detached.
Applied coat of conditioner to the tubes (picture attached - it is not dried in this but I think the tubes will look as good as new once it has dried!)

I also looked into the petrol tank and it looks in very good clean condition - (pic also attached). I don't think I will need to flush this out!

All good really!

Oh and engine man booked in for Wednesday!

Cheers

Mode

[jeffstevens763@g]

Looking good mode did you use that paint to bring up the tubes etc or just good old fashioned elbow grease & cleaner.

Cheers

[Mode]

The latter! Cleaner and conditioner!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Mode

The latter! Cleaner and conditioner!

Fair play great result coming on well

Cheers

[sailrib]

Originally Posted by Mode

I also looked into the petrol tank and it looks in very good clean condition - (pic also attached). I don't think I will need to flush this out!

Oh and engine man booked in for Wednesday!

Cheers

Mode

Good pic of looking down the fuel pipe (not always easy). While it does look clear and clean within the area of what is showing in the pic, I would still recommend draining the old fuel left in the tank. I wouldn't use that fuel for the mechanic to revive and tune the engine, better to use a temporary tank with fresh & clean fuel connected directly to the engine giving the the mechanic a better chance to identify the health of the engine.

Using potentially old fuel can be problematic and cause delays and extra time (=costs) with the mechanic.

I would not be surprised if you have water separation and possible other problems with the fuel that has has been sitting abandoned for so long. The photo's of the boat sitting in the field abandoned does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling or lot of trust in the fuel. Best not to risk it after thinking about the pro's & con's.

Good luck and I'm pushing for ya. If the engine is good then you have done extremely well with the purchase. Cheers

[Mode]

Thanks for the tip - I had intended to drain the tank and use new - shiuld have mentioned that!

The tank looked ok though!

Cheers!

[Mode]

One thing i forgot to show on here was some cracks i found on the hull today - picture attached - serious or not?

Thanks

Mode

[Mode]

A full day working on the boat tomorrow - here's the plan:-

• Check all tubes again for leaks and finish applying conditioner.
• Apply Y10 fibreglass cleaner to hull and console (then decide how much gel coat repair is needed! (Have ordered Maguiers Oxidation remover and One Step cleaner wax - I am hoping this will be enough for most of it! Will be hiring/buying a buffer/polisher once the stuff arrives)
• The engine will be running tomorrow (Engineer coming with a bagful of parts). Then I take it to shop where it will be dyno'd and more repairs probably!
• Remove bow hatch and prep fibreglass for repair.
• Measure up deck and template for new non -slip - might even go fake teak!
• Drain old fuel from tank
• Take more pics!

Think that is about it! Will send pics and updates Wednesday!

Cheers

Mode

[Mode]

Hi All

Not sure if this thread is still interesting but I still like to tell all how it is all going!

A full day was spent at the boat and the engineer arrived (late so I got home late and was in trouble with the Mrs!) but the good news:-

THE ENGINE RUNS!!! WOOOOOOHOOOO!

So the engine report:-

• Gearbox off and oil changed (no wear line on drive shaft so the engineer thought this engine has not done lots of hours!)
• New water pump fitted (the old one was in good nick and showed the engine was looked after in old life - apart from being left in a field for 7 years!)
• Oil pump worked (but will be replaced as this is good practice as the diaphram likely to be brittle)
• Fuel pump OK (all fuel lines need replacing though)
• Carbs - all removed as butterfly's on bottom one seized - minor issue - carbs will be cleaned and rebuilt

Generally the guy said this engine is rock solid and should be good to go with one more visit from him!

Anyway - we know the engine can be sorted - BIG RELEIF!

The boat:-

• Removed front hatch with a dremmel tool - all deck and surrounding areas rock solid! Will build a new one or possiblly big seat area?
• Final tube cleaned and polished
• Hull cleaned - quite a few gel coat cracks to repair.

Some random pics attached - phone was dying so just snapped a few!

Cheers all!

Mode

[idsebby]

Ya did very very well!!

[JohnsonV4]

Hi Mode,
i thought i had a bargain when i bought my Osprey a year back, but you win. Great looking boat you got. Keep the pictures coming, thx man

[Mode]

Will do!

I cannot wait to hit the water! Might be cold when I do but I don't care!

Will keep the updates coming and fingers crossed my luck continues!

Cheers

Mnode

[sailrib]

Originally Posted by Mode

Hi All

A full day was spent at the boat and the engineer arrived (late so I got home late and was in trouble with the Mrs!) but the good news:-

*Removed front hatch with a dremmel tool - all deck and surrounding areas rock solid! Will build a new one or possiblly big seat area?

I think you better come up with a name for the boat as its already starting to get you in trouble with the Mrs's; all good mistress's have names.

Great news about the engine.

Since you already removed whats there, I strongly suggest building a big v-berth flat seat area. A place to chill and take a nap or read. I had one work rib that had this and I miss it dearly. I ended up using it all the time and it had no negative impact on daily use. The biggest plus the girlfriend/Mrs. loved it.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Good news re the engine mode that's a big one out the way keep us up to date love it when a Bargin comes good.

Cheers

[Mode]

Hmmm, a name................no where near that yet! Will probably ask the kids for ideas!

I do like the idea of a big flat seat area - presumably just a big ply box with fibreglass applied does the trick? A hatch for storage underneath is then a must!

It is looking like a bargain - hope that continues!

[Mode]

Hi all

Another update. Finally found the time to get he engine man back. Works done:-

New fuel pump internals
New inline fuel filter
New main fuel filter
New plugs
New fuel lines
New ignition switch (I was never given the keys!!)
Refitted carbs (fully cleaned)
New battery

Also emptied the fuel tank and added new fuel.

It runs like a dream!!

Bit smoky but that is a bi-product of it having sat for so long and the fact that we could only blip the throttle rather than run for a long period.

So I will be on the water for a longer run soon! If the smoke contributes there is an oil valve that may need changing but otherwise it should be good to go!

Only cosmetic stuff to do now but want to take it on a couple of outings before spending more dough!

Well chuffed and will post video of the engine running soon!

Cheers

Mode