Greetings all,
I realise this is going to be a very very niche set of questions but it's worth a try
I recently became the very happy owner of one of these awesome machines - she's a fantastic design and perfect for me (an Avon adventure hull with a ton more fibreglass up the inside to create a very snug comfy boat for me and the dog/kids! Perfect!) - fortunately she's the outboard and not the jet version
. She's a 2005 model.
Of course being that she's about 2 decades old there are some fixtures that need a bit of help, or that were options at the time that I'd love to figure out how to add...here goes:
1) If any of y'all have one of these, how does the ski pole work? The one that is on there at the mo (telescopic) has what looks like a bodge to prevent the pole from sinking back into the deck - and I don't think it is extending the whole way (poor boat - it might be cold?) anyway - if anyone has one of these RIBS and has the intel on how far the thing should actually extend and what the locking mechanism is that would be amazing! At the moment I wouldn't feel happy using the thing to tow anyone - it needs a better locking mechanism, and in any event the pole doesn't extend far enough for the rope to clear the outboard properly IMHO.
2) These RIBs were sold with a bow sun deck as an optional extra (that might also have doubled as a table...). Alas I've yet to find a photo of what this option looked like (the info booklets at the time just show a woman sunning herself on a towel covered version!) so I don't have a design to copy or try to make myself. I've contacted Zodiac but they aren't interested in helping, so I figured maybe someone here recalls what this sun deck looked like or even has a photo (!) (it would be something that likely has a support leg in the centre I'd think, and fits on the "lip" of fibreglass that is built in to the bow hull. I can of course make something myself but it would be so cool to fashion one that looks akin to the original - not least because it would show where the inevitable hinges/folds are so that the deck can be stowed away when not in use).
3) Anyone recall the name/model of the telescopic aerial-like running light that is installed in the stern? Mine works but the faux metal/chrome surround has broken off - and I'd like to either replace it or get a spare unit. It's so cool (I am astonished it still works!!) so I am not interested in just replacing it with something new - I'd like to keep the original working for as long as possible.
4) What sort of swim ladder would y'all suggest for this kind of rib? I don't want to drill anything into the transom (and the transom is a fantastic shape anyway - it has built in steps) as I would prefer a ladder that goes over the side - especially for the kiddos - as I want them to keep away from the outboard/prop to prevent them accidentally falling sideways and bumping their heads on it (eeek!). a ladder that easily attaches to the handrails (that are fortunately all around the boat) would be fab - whatever would work to stop the tubes getting abused. A floppy ladder is easy of course for MOB stuff, but I'd prefer something a bit more solid as I may end up doing a bit of diving etc in the future.
Thanks all very much - I'll post some photos once I am properly done cleaning her and removing the old defunct electronic bits and bobs that are on the consoles etc. She deserves to look nice in her debut photos
