Ribtec 585

[Chris Smylie]

I recently acquired a Ribtec 585 with a Yamaha F115 outboard (2011 and low hours). I leave it moored in a tidal harbour on the Scottish west coast. The inner hull is taking in quite a lot of water. The weight of water plus the outboard is making the boat sit very low and the lip of the transom is often only an inch or two above water level so although the harbour is well protected, there is bound to be some wash coming over the transom into the bilge and beyond. As far as I can establish, there is no structural issue with the hull (there are a few scrapes and dings and some of the gel coat has worn through but nothing that looks significant). It has been a very wet summer and although I put a cover over the boat it does not stop rainwater getting into the bilge. I can't leave the automatic bilge pump on as it runs the battery flat. I assume that the ingress is happening from surface water build up on the deck leaking into the inner hull through the cable ducts, fitting points etc. Any ideas about (a) the problem and (b) how it might be sorted would be much appreciated.

[jambo]

Hi Chris I moor at Tayvallich. Problem solved with two bats and a bat switch. It will keep one for your pimp and the other for your engine. You charge both when your out. Has work for me for years. Mind you this summer has been hellish and I have been flooded twice.

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[Ribtecer]

Drainman Nature Powered Bilge Pump - Google Search

Saw them at the Soton Boat Show, seemed to work well...

[thomas]

I have a newish Ribtec 585 and I get quite a bit of water in the inner hull, even after just a day out, mine is structurally fine but it's the bung that's letting it in. Im always amazed how much there is in it when I take the boat out and often wonder what people do who leave their boats on a mooring. I spoke to the boss at Ribeye about it and he had no idea either.

[Kernow Buoy]

Hi Chris welcome to Ribnet
You mention the age of the engine but do you know the age (roughly) of the hull itself?

[jezza2011]

they tend to let in water if you have an A-Frame fitted.
arround the bolts
sikaflex is your friend

[Ribshop]

Having worked for Ribtec for before going out alone the first place to look is in the cable ducting where the ducting joins the transom. The joint there was very difficult to make good. The way to test it is to put your foot pump in the drain bung and pump until you can hear where the air is coming out from.

[Chris Smylie]

Thanks all. Lots of useful suggestions. Reassuring to know that I don't have the only Ribtec 585 that lets water into the inner hull!

[Chris Smylie]

Sorry, meant to add that the hull is the same age as the engine ie 2011