1st Rib Project a Humber 6m Destroyer

[whackywoody]

As the slip way at Liverpool Sailing Club is very long but not steep I thought it would be wise to get a stainless steel keel guard fabricated. 36 holes were drilled and then sifaflex applied into and around each hole, inside and outside edge of plate to create an effective seal. The screws (self tap marine grade stainless) were then tightened.

[whackywoody]

Well last week was expensive but had to be done in order for the project to move to the next stage!

Consoles have now arrived and look fantastic thanks to Mike Whitham Fibreglass

Engine (115Hp Optimax) now sourced and just waiting for a delivery date but thanks for Peter from Boats and Outboards with his help to date with this!

Now decision time and would appreciate peoples opinions. I have never seen this boat on water so don't even know it will float but from the work I have done on the hull everything appears to be ok however the next stage of the project is putting the expensive bits on. So its decision time when my choices are

1.) Just carry on with the project and assume it will float (hull looks ok with no obvious damage)

2.) fill the hull with water and see if it leaks. I imagine the excessive weight will put pressure on the hull where contacts with trailer rollers so not sure if this is a good idea.

3.) Launch the boat into the water for 1/2 hour and see if it float or fills with water

What do you reckon folks?

[willk]

Option 1

[simon23]

I would carry on,you can't test till you get it moving through the water at speed anyway.just launching it won't really prove anything.even if it leaks it not going to go down like a brick.doing a good job keep at it.

[nugent]

.) Just carry on with the project and assume it will float (hull looks ok with no obvious damage)

Go for it it will float, (its a rib!) and it will go well with 'd' opti egg wisk on the back

appart from this as a first job its going well,
its a credit to you,

[whackywoody]

Thanks for your input and opinions everyone. My gut instinct was option 1 as I wouldn't to be able to test at speed.

Crack on it is then!!!

[whackywoody]

Not really an update (although I am due one) but some advice really

Just loosely put in the console in the boat today and as it is at the moment I have 1.9m from base of console to bilge / drain plug area near the transom. I have to fit 4 x jockey seats in this area as well as 120L fuel tank under the console so am worried that

a.) Boat is very stern heavy

b.) Not very much room for four passengers

So I am thinking of getting out the grinder to reduce the fillets / radius's on the corners and to reduce the flange width on the external flanges so I can get the console further forward by a another 6". However just a bit worried that the flanges are going to be in drains on the deck and also will my screws go through the hull as well as the deck when I screw down the consoles?

Appreciate everybody's thoughts and opinions

Thanks

[nugent]

I thought it would be tight with that console the destroyer is very narrow,

, I would cut flanges off on sides then glass in , or screw front and rear then just glass the sides, to seal up the console, personally i am not a great lover of screwing and silka flex it works well and is great if you ever want to remove it,

I sat 4 seat pods in mine and decided it did not look right so opted for centre seating only, I can bolt another two in the rear still plenty of room to do so, it's just so narrow up front,

Will measure up trunking outlet tomoz when I uncover it

Ed

[nugent]

Originally Posted by nugent

I thought it would be tight with that console the destroyer is very narrow,

, I would cut flanges off on sides then glass in , or screw front and rear then just glass the sides, to seal up the console, personally i am not a great lover of screwing and silka flex it works well and is great if you ever want to remove it,

I sat 4 seat pods in mine and decided it did not look right so opted for centre seating only, I can bolt another two in the rear still plenty of room to do so, it's just so narrow up front,

Will measure up trunking outlet tomoz when I uncover it

Ed

300 mm back from the well,

[whackywoody]

Cut the side flanges with a grinder today and its looks like the physical width of the moukld is too wide however I did gain an extra 10 - 15cms . Anyway I have got what I have got and thats 2m's to put in 4 x jockey seats so I will plod on / get on with it anyway!!!

[whackywoody]

Pulled out engine smart craft wiring and it looks like we have had a DIYer with Halford connectors splicing at every joint. This has been ripped out and replaced with proper crimp connectors and then sealed with glue lined heat shrink connectors.

Also 6 panel switch board arrived which is supposed to be IP66 marine proof and weather proof but wasn't too impressed with the connectors on the back of them. So again these connectors have now been sealed with glue lined heat shrink.

Big plans for the coming bank holiday weekend (while I'm sure you will all be out enjoying yourselves on water) as I want to get fuel tank secured to the deck, trunking done, wiring done and maybe console screwed down - but again this could be a bit optimistic

[whackywoody]

Hi folks been awhile since an update and don't have all the photos (will try and get some more at the weekend)!

Jobs completed

1.) Fuel tank fixed to the floor and also plumbed into the console via Fill and vent point
2.) Engine gearbox cavitation plate welded up, new impeller fitted and also painted
3.) Wiring in console now wired up including switch panel, battery isolator switch
4.) Trunking now located under the floor and wiring fed through from console to transom
5.) Sonar sounder fitted to hull
6.) Hydraulic steering fitted and bled
7.) Console screwed and glassed into place
8.) Oil tank secured to floor under drivers seat

Next up jobs

1.) Finish polishing A frame, do wiring and fit to transom
2.) Finish rigging at the engine end
3.) Fit seats
4.) Fit windshield
5.) Fit 2nd winch to trailer (1 winch for recovery and 1 for launch)

Now have a date in mind to get the boat on the water for some testing!!

[whackywoody]

Doh, photos attached

[Jizm]

Coming along nicely...

[whackywoody]

Ok, I should have taken more photos of progress but I just wanted to get the boat finished and on the water this summer. In other words there are jobs that need finishing off / tidying up and they will be done in the winter! However the big milestone today was the boat was on the water and floats with no major issues. The only thing that didn't work was the sonar as it stated it was 5.6m deep constantly!!!

Next up jobs

1.) Clean the toobs again (acetone)
2.) The rubber above the rubber strake see last 2 x photos has worn and there is no definite line. So was thinking about using tube paint and masking off but open for suggestions?
3.) Orange shoe polish / dye to bring up tubes to a nice finish! As per Nugent's suggestion
4.) Sort out sonar to work with brand new garmin 551S. Does it need configuring?
5.) Clean up the binliner and sell it!

[nugent]

That leather dye does work,


Or paint it in PVC 94. HMG product

[nugent]

Engine cowling nearly there mucka


No more huge gouges

[nugent]

Shiny thingy

[whackywoody]

Originally Posted by nugent

Shiny thingy

Thanks Edd, thats looking really smart and will look good when back on the boat. Not sure about selling it now!

[Barrowboy]

All round excellent first project Woody and I note that Edd's been working his magic for you too. He did a great job on my A frame a couple of weeks ago.

I also see that you live oooop north, not a million miles from me, so look forward to seeing you out on the Mersey/Menai next year on our shiny refurbs