First Rib purchased, now the rebuild starts !!

[Neil Harvey]

If i remember correctly, the original had problems with the original hull (I forget what), it went back under warranty, new hull was built and engine outdrive and tubes switched ovet to new hull. Maybe shortcuts were taken as it was a non paying job.
Maybe I am putting 2 & 2 together and getting 5, it just seems to fit as a reason.

[MAC1010]

Neil, its a possibility but if that is the case then they cut corners with a hull that was supposed to be replacing one that already had issues ? Someone I know works for one of the largest naval architect firms in the world that specialise in Military and Commercial craft with his speciality being high speed composite (including carbon) vessels. He came to see me on Saturday and once he had stopped doing this we discussed various things about the hull but the main thing he found unbelievable is the fact that there were NO watertight bulkheads on the port or starboard sides bow to stern. This is something that I have addressed already with the new bulkheads but will be fitting more as the build progresses.

Anyway i think from the start of this thread we can all see how shocking this particular rib was when I got it, whilst I wouldn't want it to be the case for other people to have problems with their boats as well I am not worried about any other boats (got enough on my plate with this one and everything else I have to do in a normal day !!! but as I have said before I was aware that it will be a total rebuild).

I have however managed to find the only bit of plywood on the boat that wasn't rotten or even wet, it was used to try and strengthen the engine room cover and this didn't work (never would have worked) so the moulding was all distorted. I promptly turned it into "bin size" bits and have re-designed in my head how I am going to do the whole aft section of the boat

[Neil Harvey]

I think it was gelcoat issues on the original, maybe talk to Gareth at Drivers about it if u want the proper story less second hand than my memory.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by MAC1010

main thing he found unbelievable is the fact that there were NO watertight bulkheads on the port or starboard sides bow to stern. This is something that I have addressed already with the new bulkheads but will be fitting more as the build progresses

Clearly I'm no naval architect...

Do you need watertight bulkheads? I thought the toobs would keep it buoyant? And the toobs have baffles which are in effect bulk heads?

Likewise the cardboard tubes with CSM and resin over... ...boat lasted this long and the curve shape gives it some structural strength. Not saying its perfect but maybe it was enough for the job...?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by MAC1010

instead of throwing them in the bin like anyone with half a brain would do they used to cut them in half, stick them to the hull and then glass over them !!! you couldn't make this S**T up !!!!!!!

You'd probably get an eco grant for innovative recycling now!

[MAC1010]

Hehe yes, eco friendly is the key. I burn all of my mat tubes and pallets on my log burner they kick out a huge amount of heat !! 😀 well you can use anything for a former, but you could use something that didn't absorb water !! Ethafoam would have added about £30 to the cost of construction, was available when the hull was built, had been for years and commonly used as stringer formers in hulls.

It's not just for the watertight ability of the bulkhead you also want to have some structure for the hull and deck supports and it might just be me but I would also like to think that my hull had some sort of ability to stay afloat if swamped and the tubes were damaged. Once I have finished I will also be able to calculate the built in buoyancy of the core material I use and how much that can support on it's own.

[HighlandR]

Love this build thread !
As Shiny said, i suppose the cardboard was "enough for the job " at the time, and also Maybe to help with future business it is best for manufacturers to build boats that WONT last too long so they can sell new ones in future? Makes sense, but I can't understand why they wouldn't add in at least a few water tight bulkheads into the hull!?? Scary!

[MAC1010]

So the big "tear down" continues, the rats nest of wiring has now all gone in the bin and the console is back to pretty much a bare moulding ready to cut off once I have finished the fuel tank and got that new section of deck fitted. Then I will get on with a plug and mould for my own design of console

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by MAC1010

So the big "tear down" continues, the rats nest of wiring has now all gone in the bin and the console is back to pretty much a bare moulding ready to cut off once I have finished the fuel tank and got that new section of deck fitted. Then I will get on with a plug and mould for my own design of console

Wow that IS another level!...Look forward to seeing the design /specs ect.
It certainly looks like a quality job so far!

[Poly]

New console.
Rewire.
New deck.
New under deck structure.
New tubes.
The hassle of ripping it all out in the first place.

At what point does it make more sense to start from scratch?

[nugent]

Pride in knowing it's his work Need a mould to work from and as I have done many times sure the build has just run away with him

Excellent work puts my efforts to shame Sitting and awaiting more pics

[MAC1010]

Poly, you forgot the extensive underwater hull modifications that are going to take place as well courtesy of my Naval architect friend

I understand where you are coming from, once I am done there will be absolutely nothing left of the Ocean layout, mouldings, structure or even hull design so you need to think of me using it as a "former" to build my own design on.

[willk]

Originally Posted by MAC1010

Poly, you forgot the extensive underwater hull modifications that are going to take place as well courtesy of my Naval architect friend

I understand where you are coming from, once I am done there will be absolutely nothing left of the Ocean layout, mouldings, structure or even hull design so you need to think of me using it as a "former" to build my own design on.

That makes more sense to me now. That and hopefully the engine is a gud'un. Are you changing the hull to reduce the Ocean's tendency to break out in tight turns? I was wondering if the weight of the inboard would have countered that by itself. BTW, I've stood on an Ocean engine lid previously - it didn't inspire confidence - bit bouncy!!

[MAC1010]

Yes slightly "bouncy" engine lids are not the way forward, and I have no idea how they did it as all of the ply was dry but it also weighed about the same amount as a small planet !!

Engine and leg will be removed and I will fully check them out before re-installing. Has not done many hours since she had a refit with replacement engine a few years ago now.

There are quite a few things to change on the hull and that part will keep me busy for a while

[ribsta]

Back in the late 90's Ocean had their original hull adapted by an architect to bring the hull you have now. A friend bought the first one and I thought the ride and handling was excellent. I know a guy who did RB 1999 with us in the same boat and it was faultless. Be interesting to learn what mods you make to the hull?

[MAC1010]

Ribsta, they did indeed however as she sits right now my hull form under the waterline is not eactly the same (had inserts placed in the mould from new when they laid up the hull that are not on the rest of the same design of hulls) as the rest of this revised design series from the new moulds they made and thats before I start cutting and adding so we will see what happens with the modifications that I make. There are lots of prototype systems to be fitted that are going to be installed from various manufacturers as well as in-house designs. Some of these are designed to work along with some of the hull revisions that are going to be undertaken.

[ribsta]

Ah, that makes sense! 😄

[MAC1010]

Been a while since the last update, lots of other work going on and family duties so only just got back to the Rib. I have done some more work on the fuel tank but the pictures aren't that interesting really, once there is more to see I will post the pics.

You can see here some quick sketches showing the general idea, fancied a change from working on the tank area the other day so spent the afternoon making a start on the plug for the console mould. Lots still to do as its just the basic shape at the moment but once done it should prove a practical layout.

[1eyedjim]

Are you making a large screw fix pencil to strap to the back the same as the drawing?

[MAC1010]

That might have to wait till I have some more time !!

Slight change in the plan for the hull yesterday so I am going to start attacking it with a cengar today, will upload some pics later on