Blocking off the hull (SR4)

[Wibs]

is there a simple, cheap and non committal way of doing this.

I fancy giving mine a go, just to see how much difference it makes.?

Any links to websites much appreciated.



James

[Wibs]

Thought about these for the front...

M6 (6mm) x 30mm RUBBER RAWLNUT FIXINGS WITH SCREWS - RAWL NUT - RAWLNUTS x 4 | eBay

...but struggling on the hole at the stern.

[Nick Hearne]

I filled my front with plastic padding and gelcoat filler worked well and has lasted a few years no problem

[Wibs]

That looks a bit permanent..!! Or would you just dig it out when you wanted to return to original set up.?

What about the larger hole at the stern.?

[Wibs]

What sort of difference did you notice Nick.?

[Nick Hearne]

And the back I blancked off and fitted a drainer plug, it has stayed dry for over 3 years I put a Perspex plat in so I could see if any water got in, but it has not to date

[Peter_C]

Why not the best of both worlds? Put a valve in, as they make a marine version that many wakeboard boats today use to flood their hulls. Otherwise they are commonly use in camping cars aka motorhomes, to drain the waste tanks. There are even electronic versions.

[Wibs]

Pictures not clear Peter......what does that contraption do.?

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Wibs

That looks a bit permanent..!! Or would you just dig it out when you wanted to return to original set up.?

What about the larger hole at the stern.?

I could just put a drill through it and dig out the rest if wanted, don't think it made too much difference but I wanted to make it lighter when it drys out on the beach or morring. I was wored about the extra weight and the deeper draft, I can push it back in the water if it dose get left high and dry

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Wibs

Pictures not clear Peter......what does that contraption do.?

It is a gate valve commonly used on RV's to drain the sewage. They were adapted for boat use on flooding hull boats to allow one to choose when they want to fill and not fill their hulls. They can also hold the water in the hull to create a bigger wake for wakeboarding and surfing behind the boat.

With a 3" diameter and remote operation it would be ideal for an SR4, and what I would install if I owned a flooding hull RIB.

[popeyethesailor]

What's it like blocked off while at rest at sea?

I may have to block mine off yet but that's more to do with the previous owner using bloody long screws in the deck🙈
Which I think I have sorted with epoxy,
Time will tell!

[A1an]

This seemed to work just fine.

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by popeyethesailor

What's it like blocked off while at rest at sea?

I may have to block mine off yet but that's more to do with the previous owner using bloody long screws in the deck🙈
Which I think I have sorted with epoxy,
Time will tell!

The bow sits out of the water much more and she dose feel lighter at rest with out the floded hull open.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

The bow sits out of the water much more and she dose feel lighter at rest with out the floded hull open.

~and not as stable in broad side waves. That is why it would be nice to control on the fly along with elephant trunks right?

Of course with the stern facing the waves I would want to bob around like a cork with the transom higher in the air, which is why blocked off is nice to have. Plus a better hole shot by far.

Aren't there a couple RIB manufacturers utilizing the drain valve from the factory? I have seen them on RIB's at least a couple of times here in the USA.

[donquijote]

manufacturer of gate valve , please.

Thanks

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by donquijote

manufacturer of gate valve , please.

Thanks

Here ya go!