Help a new owner with beginner questions

Capt Don · 10 March 2006, 21:22

Hello all.

I have been presented with the opportunity to own a 1991 Zodiac Hurricane 640D powered by a Volvo diesel and a Volvo Duo-prop outdrive. The vessel is equipped with a tow bit and push knee, which will work out well for me as I am in the recreational vessel towing and assistance business.

Here's the problem. The current owner states the vessel tops out at 3100 rpm's and 20 knots, even though the engine is rated at 3600 rpm's. It's possible, the previous owner re-propped the boat for more torque, as they were using it to assist with docking a casino boat. If anyone knows the proper propeller sizes for this craft, I would greatly appreciate the info.

It also is reported to lose air pressure over a 24 hour period, to the point of having to air the boat up before every use.

I assume it will cost quite a lot of money to install new tubes, probably making it not worth while to even purchase the boat. So I would like to know the feasibility of locating and repairing such leaks? What is the life expectancy of Hypalon tubes in the Florida environment?

I have seen several posts here about repairing such leaks and I was wondering how successful the reapirs actually are?

Any advise would be appreciated and thank you in advance.

Don

Jimmy_Beam · 10 March 2006, 21:36

The biggest probolem with hypalon in heat is that the glue will fail at the seems if stored in direct sunlight with a tarp or cover. Also could be a problem if overinflation occured, but these craft usually have valves for prevention of this. Now for your leaks, get a soapy bucket of water and wash the boat, it may just be an issue of sticky valves, or a leaky overpressurization valve. As these boats commonly have intercommunicating baffles (lets pressure flow slowly throughout the entire boat for equalization) the whole boat may lose air with one small leak. Unless absolutely uncared for and UV destroyed, 91 is not that old, I have talked to guys with 40 year old hypalon tubes on old river rafts and they still hold air. So, wash it, find the leaks, get a repair estimate, and have the guy knock it off the price. And for the prop? Should be able to barely redline the engine I would think, and that boat should go faster. Find out what you got and ask a local marine dealer.

Swifty · 10 March 2006, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Don

I have seen several posts here about repairing such leaks and I was wondering how successful the reapirs actually are?

Any advise would be appreciated and thank you in advance.

Don

Hi Don and welcome,

Judging by the number of patches in my Searider I suspect it had a busy life dodging bullets or something before it fell into my hands. Done properly a patch is as good as the original material, just a little unsightly.

Tim'mers.

jyasaki · 10 March 2006, 21:44

Proper propeller selection is done by installing a prop, running the boat with a normal (or slightly heavier) load, and seeing where the rpms end up. Select a pitch and diameter that gets you as close to max rpm the mfgr suggests.

Most leaks can be found by inflating, and spraying the tube down with a soap and water solution. See bubbling? There's your leak. Depending on where the leak is, it can be very simple, or a real PITA. A web search for "hypalon repair" will get you detailed instructions. Repairs are as good as the effort you put into them.

A hypalon boat should serve you quite well in Fla. Sea Tow Beaufort is using an Aquascan RIB; Nautica is based down there somewhere, I think.

jky

Searider · 10 March 2006, 21:58

Hi Don,

What engine is it exactly?

Volvo Pentas can be rated for various different duties at different rpm.

Have a look here: http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/glob...ne/sterndrive/

If yours is a commercially rated engine 3100 rpm might be all you should get. 3600 might be for a leasure rated engine.

Capt Don · 10 March 2006, 23:58

Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate it.

The engine appears to be a AD31 DP, rated 130 HP at 3800 rpm. It's a 4 cyl turbo after cooled unit. It has a brand new turbo on it.

So it sounds like I will have to search further to figure the prop out. It is difficult to get test propellers to try. I was hoping to hear from someone who has a similar vessel, to try to overcome the problem of purchasing a couple sets of props to figure it out. I am assuming the props have to be changed as a matched set, is that correct? I am an inboard guy (Shamrocks) at heart, so the whole I/O thing will be a re-learning thing for me. It's been years since I've had one.

I have contacted the Zodiac authorized service center in Tampa to see what their thought are on repairing the possible leaks. It sounds like it will be repairable, according to everything I have read here. I appreciate your comments. I was thinking the tubes would have to be replaced at a cost of ???? Replacement of the tubes would make it impractical to buy this boat.

Thank you all very much, and please keep the comments coming. Is there anything else I should be aware of on this type of vessel. I have never owned a RIB before, althogh I have envied many in the past. I am looking forward to finally being an owner!

Don

Solent Ranger · 11 March 2006, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Don

powered by a Volvo diesel and a Volvo Duo-prop outdrive.
Here's the problem. The current owner states the vessel tops out at 3100 rpm's and 20 knots, even though the engine is rated at 3600 rpm's. It's possible, the previous owner re-propped the boat for more torque, as they were using it to assist with docking a casino boat. If anyone knows the proper propeller sizes for this craft, I would greatly appreciate the info.

As it's a duo prop it's most likely the 290 leg. Prop sizes are marked on the props and are designated by a "B" letter and then a number. I would think that correct prop size should be around B4 or B5 tending toward the B5. Anything less than B4 will almost certainly reduce your rev limit.

That my pennies worth anyway.

Rogue Wave · 11 March 2006, 22:56

firstly welcome to our happy home and good luck with your ribbing.

Toobs can be fixed easily any decent reapir will take some preparation but you should be able to a really good job in a couple of hours per patch. amke a practice repair so you get the feel for the glue as opposed to just the smell of it. I wouldn't wory zodiac about the toob repair you can do it yourself

I guess there are no large tears in the toobs so you wont need much material to fix. I am a bit of an expert at fixing the toobs on these boats as the diving company I drive for usess them as rescue craft. The FRC drivers keep bursting the toobs because they use the flat nose as a pushy bow which it aint!

By the way The Outboard Leisure version of these boats are marketed in this country as Avon Adventurere.

This kind of diesel engine in a small rib does have an affect on performance and handling......have you sea trialled the boat and was it OK or did it struggle to get on the plane....also was it stern heavy

Capt Don · 12 March 2006, 16:56

Have not seen the boat in person yet, hope to do so this coming week.

My concern on the performance the owner quoted was it was lacking. These boats usually do over 20 knots, do they not? I just assumed the propeller set was incorrect. I would have expected the vessel to attain 30 knots or so.

AS far as the tubes go , I will have to make some sort of determination after seeing the boat. Has anyone here ever had to replace tubes? My concern is I follow thru with the purchase and then the tubes aren't reapairable.

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate the info.

Don

Tibs · 12 March 2006, 23:00

Capt Don,

Greetings from the east coast. Glad to see more Ribbers joining the US market. I currently own a RIBCRAFT here in Massachusetts, and could not recommend a better professional grade RIB. The hurricanes are nice boats, but may I ask what you are planning to spend for a 15 year old RIB?

The RIBCRAFT 6.8 offshore may be worth looking in to. Even their 210 (rec model) would suit your needs. Plus, they are factory direct / built to order, so you get exactly what you want and need.

Check out their website, they even have a build your own RIB feature. Great Product. www.ribcraftusa.com

Tibs

Capt Don · 13 March 2006, 00:29

Well, as far as price goes, the current owner wants a boat that I just happen to have. We are going to swap even up. I run my towing business currently with 5 Shamrock, keel drive inboards. I decided I was going to sell my 20' Open center console model. It is an older boat and has been recently repowered. I have made a decsion I want boats that are more enclosed, due to the amount of time I spend out in bad weather. I mentioned this to another business owner I know, and he said he wanted another Shamrock for his business. I wasn't really inthe market for a RIB. Even though I consider them an excellent craft for what I do, I just never assumed I would be able to afford one. I do not have that much money tied up in my boat, so even if the Hurricane needs new tubes, I should be OK. It is still a center console so I have gained nothing as far as protection from the elements, but I will be getting a much different (hopefully better) boat.

Don

Channelwatch · 14 March 2006, 17:22

Hello Capt Don,

We are a Vessel Assist opperator in California and use both inboard diesel fiberglass boats and RIBs. We have a 30 ft twin diesel, ex-military Nautica RIB and recently purchased a 7.8M Ribcraft with twin outboards. There are pros and cons to RIBs in our line of work but properly set up for the intened use I think they are great boat.

Depending on your intended usage, I don't know if I would go with the set-up you are considering. Feel free to call us and I will gladly share what we have learned and what is working for us. 805-644-2762.

Good luck,
Capts Paul and Beverly

Capt Don · 15 March 2006, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channelwatch

Hello Capt Don,

We are a Vessel Assist opperator in California and use both inboard diesel fiberglass boats and RIBs. We have a 30 ft twin diesel, ex-military Nautica RIB and recently purchased a 7.8M Ribcraft with twin outboards. There are pros and cons to RIBs in our line of work but properly set up for the intened use I think they are great boat.

Depending on your intended usage, I don't know if I would go with the set-up you are considering. Feel free to call us and I will gladly share what we have learned and what is working for us. 805-644-2762.

Good luck,
Capts Paul and Beverly

Thanks for the reply,

I used to be a Vessel Assist vendor myself, but lost out in the change over to BoatUS here on the east coast.
The boat I am getting is already being used for assistance towing, but the vendor has issues with it getting into shallow water, which we have a lot of. I plan on moving to an area where water depth is not an issue, otherwise I would not even consider a stern drive unit.

The current owner told me today there is a leak in a tube at a seam where the tube narrows to a point. I would assume I will have to have the Zodiac repair center fix it, due to the location. This boat also has a push knee installed. That should come in handy.

I'll give you a call maybe tomorrow.

Thanks,

Don

Capt Don · 25 March 2006, 19:38

Well, took delivery of the boat today. It ends up it is a 1993 Zodiac Hurricane previously owned by the US Navy. The Volvo is indeed a AD31 DP. I need to get the propeller thing figured out, and I also need to figure out which version of this engine this boat has. Any ideas. I would assume it is the "special light duty" version of he engine, as it was originally a military spec boat. That would mean the engine is the 150 HP version. Anyone know how to tell which engine it actually is?

Don

PANTJO · 10 April 2006, 16:57

Hi, from Greece.

I have a similar boat as the one you have mentioned. 1992 , ZODIAC HURRICANE 640.
It is equiped with a VOLVO PENTA AD31B, which is 130Hp. It is has not a DUO PROP system. Single Prop it is. Max speed is around 28 knts at 3600 rpm. Consumption is more or less 1 liter per mile.
I have looked a lot myself trying to figure out which version my engine is, but saddly with no results.
But having said that, all the engines i came through were at the same Horse power. 130.