20 year old hull, fine or risky?

CaptainBeachBoy · 25 February 2023, 20:11

Hi all,

Looking at a few Ribcraft 585s with 2001-2002 era hulls. Although they’ve had new tubes, electrics and engines more recently, is there any big red flags I should be looking for in the hull?

Or is it a case of if the hull looks fine and the boat goes fine it probably is fine?

I’ve heard to look for ‘rot’ in the deck and transom but how does an newbie spot these and are they really likely in a well maintained boat?

Thanks!

fastasfox · 25 February 2023, 20:33

Ribcraft are built very well as the owners on here will testify so 20 years should be a walk in the park. If you walk up and down the deck you will feel if the stringers are rotting and the same with the transom...give it a good shake and a thump. If I was spending 10k plus on a rib I would get a marine survey I'm not sure of the cost but I bet it would be worth it . This is my advice but I'm far from an expert and some members on here have years of experience under their belts.
Good luck and great time of year to purchase...wait another 2 months and you will wish you hadn't.

beamishken · 25 February 2023, 22:26

Allthough well made Ribcraft like any other boat can have faults. Id check for any cracks around transom area & look for stress cracks to the hull especially along flanges & chines etc bounce up and down on the deck looking for flex. Check the engine bolts & if the heads look sunken into the transom or you have multiple drilled holes be careful of rot/ water ingress. I recently had to rebond a console on a 5.3 that had de bonded from the floor so check around the lamination at the base of the console for cracks. Also check the bow eye and transom tow eyes for damage or signs of stress. 20yo isnt that old in rib terms & I'm surprised your finding many that have been retubed at that age. It may be an indication of heavy use or commercial use which a lot are used for that said a good retube on a solid hull is an asset not a problem just remember to look past the shiny new tubes for other faults

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