New from Ohio

[golfhacker]

Greetings one and all.

I am a total newbie to RIBs. I just got a BRIG Dingo 300 RIB used with a 9.9 Mercury on the back. Cleaned up the motor so it is now running well so it is time to turn to the BRIG.

It is actually in pretty decent shape. Doesn't seem to leak air other than the very slow leaks that will cause it to get increasingly soft over time. (BRIG literature says that if it holds air for 8 hours that is good enough. It certainly does that). Has one fairly small (6 inch diameter) circular patch up near the front that doesn't leak.

The larger problem is the starboard hull separating from the transom about 6 inches. I will post some pictures and look for some guidance as to what to do about it. There seems to be no lack of expertise here, so looking forward to it. Cheers.

[Steve509926]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

What age is your Brig?

[golfhacker]

Don't know for certain.

I would guess early 2000s

[golfhacker]

In case it helps. It has 5 sections of wood that build the floor. Korean PVC material as I understand.

[Steve509926]

Just looked at the specs for your Dingo 300 SIB, it's actually a sib not a rib.
Firstly I would question "if it holds air for 8 hours that's good enough". I wouldn't want to be in a sib that's just "good enough".
It is a pvc sib that is 20 i'sh years old. I'm assuming (can't find it in the specs) that the seams are glued and not welded.The glue on pvc sibs isn't renowned for lasting 20 years (10+ years and you are doing well)
The transom coming away from the tubes and that you have slow leaks may indicate that the glue on the seams is starting to fail.

[golfhacker]

Yes, the seams are glued.

It holds air well. Well beyond the 8 hours spec'ed by the manufacturer. I'm just puttering around on a small inland lake, so I am not terribly worried about it falling apart on me.

I certainly understand that it is old, but there are no signs that it doesn't have plenty of life left in it. The transom seam at issue is going to take a lot of stress and it was man-handled by a bunch of college kids through the years, so not surprised there is some separation. Seems like a common problem.

[Steve509926]

I read this about transom repairs a while ago, it should be of use:-

https://www.polymarine.com/advice/zo...ransom-repair/

Obviously you will need all new fittings.