Zodiac 733 Project ( first RIB!)

avius · 09 February 2012, 09:18

AlOHA All!
finally got my hands on a moth balled coast guard 733! I just started laying into her last week and after a long trial and error session and a shout out I finally got the tubes off ( thanks SUNRIDER) And, just today I got the motor running ! Now that I see the light at the end of the tunnel I am looking for all the little parts that got cannobilzed whilst she was in the auction yard.
I need:
Latches, catches and bonnets
radar arch foot
bravo one, trim tab actuator, or tips on trouble-shooting
those are just the small things that I can't find on the markets.
drop me a line with parts, suggestions and comments
GOODTIMES
AV

95gstnj · 09 February 2012, 15:18

Very nice, I've been looking to buy a 733 like that for a long time. If you know of any on the main land, Let Me Know!

alpha · 09 February 2012, 17:07

Reconditioned a CG 733 like yours a few years back. Fun project...great boat.
What shape does the diesel look to be in. How many hours does the tach read?

ncp · 09 February 2012, 17:17

What engine did it come with?

If it has the 315hp Yanmar, it's going to fly!!! The only 733 OTH that I've been in had one....super fun.

alpha · 09 February 2012, 17:21

yanmar 315hp does 48mph

avius · 09 February 2012, 18:06

I'll keep you in mind, but also keep your eyes open on the government auctions. They usually do a good job of "decommissioning" these boats so you end up with quite a project. Protocol i was told is to take drain all fluids, take out sensitive instruments, pull all hoses, and cut out-spray paint or scratch the hell out of any gov. insignia.

avius · 09 February 2012, 18:16

She has the Yanmar 6LP-STE 300 hp turbo diesel in her. She's a little rough on the outside (paint flaking and surface rust in spots) But with only 212 hours on her she purrs like a baby kitten.... at idle that is, I have yet to WOT her. This may be bad, but I haven't inspected the fuel cell other than at the inspection port under the main console. It appears to be plastic. I checked the diesel at both the water separator and the engine side fuel filter, both smell good and look fine ( I'm no expert, but from what I read) so I cranked her over yesterday on the fuel they left inside and she ran fine.... something deep inside me tells me thats not a good idea, but with two filters, i figured it be fine. Any diesel experts care to chime in?
Alpha when you did your rebuild did you do a total tear down? Did you stick to the same configuration? Any tips or "oh SH*!" moments you care to save me from?
GOODTIMES
Stay tuned for her progress report!
AV

alpha · 09 February 2012, 20:51

My CG 733 has the Yanmar 6LPA STZP 315hp turbo diesel.
Tach read 280hr when I picked her up.
Engine started right up with no trouble and has always run like A raped ape.
biggest issue was the de-lamination in the forward part of the hull. (see thread by Masats on this forum)
Also I removed control console both decks .
Removed and cleaned the fuel tank.(plastic 85 gal.)
Installed new controls,new trim tilt pump.
Couple patches on tubes,lots of clean and polish.

ncp · 09 February 2012, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by avius

Any tips or "oh SH*!" moments you care to save me from?
AV

You mean "oh SH*!" like this?

What's great about that hull is how soft it lands.

ynp · 09 February 2012, 21:42

Very nice boat.

I LOVE RIBS · 09 February 2012, 22:35

WHo posted that pic??? TI took that from my boat...I sold this to my friend matt out of sd.

If you need tubes i have 2 pairs of 733s in pretty good shape.

also FYI replace your timing belt, check your outdrive resivoir make sure is is not clogged or you will burn your drive.

We have rebuilt several of the 733s and there are a few things to remember with a high performance yanmar.

What's great about that hull is how soft it lands.[/QUOTE]

I LOVE RIBS · 09 February 2012, 22:38

Who posted that pic??? I took that from my other boat...I sold this one to my friend matt out of sd

If you need tubes i have 2 pairs of 733s in pretty good shape.

also FYI replace your timing belt, check your outdrive resivoir make sure is is not clogged or you will burn your drive.

We have rebuilt several of the 733s and there are a few things to remember with a high performance yanmar.

Stringer Bell · 09 February 2012, 23:42

Was this one of 7-8 Willards/Zodiacs that got auctioned off in Hawaii few weeks back? How much did you get it for? Nice project, good luck and post more pics of progress

95gstnj · 10 February 2012, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stringer Bell

Was this one of 7-8 Willards/Zodiacs that got auctioned off in Hawaii few weeks back? How much did you get it for? Nice project, good luck and post more pics of progress

I don't think it was. I saw those 7 willards go for really, really cheap. They were all grey. I didnt see any 733's on the gsa website

Stringer Bell · 10 February 2012, 02:23

I forget the details, they were at $1000-2000 at the time I last checked, now that you mention they were all Willards. In rough shape but had potential

avius · 10 February 2012, 02:52

thats a rad, picture, I look foreword to all those awesome days to come. I picked her up last august but was away on work so only recently started the project. n Thanks for the tips. Which outdrive reservoir? the trim hydraulic? Alpha- so although there is no indication of a problem in my fuel cell, you think I should pull up the deck and look her over?
Thanks for the input guys, I'll add more pix as she comes along.
AV

avius · 21 February 2012, 20:12

The tubes are prepped and ready for glueing this week. When I was separating the grab strake from the main tube a lot of the rubber on the grab strake came off, I suppose from the sun damage. Any suggestions on re glueing bare fabric to hypalon? Should I glue an intermediary piece of hypalon to it?
I also found that a dremel tool is the best and fastest method for old glue removal.
In the picture it took me 6 minutes to remove all that glue and rubber, the section was approximately 16"

avius · 22 February 2012, 21:05

Crap!
I Finally finished the large internal patch on the 90"x12" patch and noticed three spots leaking this morning. One is on the factory bonded seams and two are on wrinkles in the fabric! I can't fathom a way out of this without pulling and repatching. I was fairly meticulous on this one and still ended up with a couple of small wrinkles. Should I just go on with the external patch and focus more glue and pressure on the spots of the known leaks?? Or possibly patch over the leaks and then do the full external patch?
any experience or advice on this will be greatly appreciated and result in a ride when you come to Hawaii!
MAHALO!
AV

I LOVE RIBS · 22 February 2012, 21:12

Have a professional do it. the level of repair you are doing requires inside and out patches and will blow out at the worst time if not done right. I saw the tubes you have from the auction they are pretty worked and you most likely will be playing a game of wack a mole with leaks. when all is said and done you will have alot of man hours in them so the big question is what is your time worth??

avius · 22 February 2012, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by I LOVE RIBS

Have a professional do it. the level of repair you are doing requires inside and out patches and will blow out at the worst time if not done right. I saw the tubes you have from the auction they are pretty worked and you most likely will be playing a game of wack a mole with leaks. when all is said and done you will have alot of man hours in them so the big question is what is your time worth??

I was thinking a long those lines when I spotted the leaks. Fact of the matter is that the professionals out here are guys just like me, DIY'ers. Luckily I own all my time at the moment, so looks like I'm going mole hunting!
AV