metzeler merkant rib

nobby · 19 April 2008, 20:57

i have just bought a metzeler merkant rh sports boat and would like to know the history of it if any body could help as i am rebuilding it to its former glory and hope any one can help me and if there is any spares available such as new inflatable tubes ect please can any body help or know of somebody that could give me any information on it regards barry

Richard B · 19 April 2008, 23:40

Hi Nobby,
These RIBs crop up from time to time - there's a thread from 2004 here: http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...hlight=markant and if you do some searching there may be some more. Good luck!

nobby · 20 April 2008, 14:17

Hi Ritchard Thanks For The Reply I Will Search That Address In Depth Thanks Again Nobby

dverstege · 22 April 2008, 01:21

I have a suzuki 20 and I find that fun on a boat this small. You should really move with the 35 hp. One chap I talked to on Ribnet said he put a 70hp on a metzeler? Did not hear much of him after though.

nobby · 22 April 2008, 12:46

yes i think it will go well grand children will have somethink to tell their school mates regards nobby

dverstege · 23 April 2008, 07:08

To what point are you going to rebuild the rib? Do you have any pics of it?
I am trying to figure out the best way to get two comfortable seats in mine. My wife said unless I can get it more comfortable she's not going in it. I think it's because i hit a good size wave last year with her in it and almost lost her overboard. Kind of a two edged sword, not being mean but it's nice to get away from everyone for awhile and go fishing with no one araround.

nobby · 23 April 2008, 09:32

up to now i am going to move the jockey seat cut down up to the forward seat triangle space and that will leave me the the space for 2 bench seats 1 at the rear and 1 next to the steering console the floor space is 79 in so plenty of room for them i also purchased a rear double stainless box frame that i am putting behind the rear bench reat as a back support and hand rail i will send pics as they come the ss frame cost 4 cans of lager i have got the tubes ready for painting i am spraying them and what a difference it makes spraying them arather than brush paint definatly worth the effort the paint was from poly marime Colwyn bay Wales speak to you soon barry

dverstege · 23 April 2008, 13:19

Thanks for the picks. I see you separated the hull. Do you have a pic of the inside bottom between the two layers. You have a great set up on your rib and I'll probably copy it. You said your going to cut to the forward seat. I was looking at installing two pedestal seats in mine but was told I would have to reinforce everything afterward.
Thanks again for the pics keep them coming they will help for ideas.

nobby · 23 April 2008, 23:39

hi again no i did not split the hull it is sealed together in manifacture but i cut the jockey seat down today and positioned it in the boat and it looks great a lot of messing about but will be worth it in the end i have a good vision of what it will look like after looking at so many ribs so many combinations it is all about practicality and what you want it for i have my grand doughter staying at the week end so will have to get a move on as she wants to help me put it back together i will keep you up dated on progress cheers barry ps have you any pics of your rib regards

dverstege · 23 April 2008, 23:50

A work in progress.

nobby · 24 April 2008, 00:10

looks great i hope mine looks that tidy when i finish it i was looking at putting the steering on the tubes but needed more floor space so i put in a console up front as i will get some pics soon cheers as i am a new member how do you put pics on your reply

dverstege · 24 April 2008, 00:50

One thing I'm looking at doing this winter is to take the tubes in, get them to take the back off were the coans are turn it inside out and spray it with a compound that I have read about, helps restore and repair tubes. I think it may be the way to go to keep the tubes in great shape. If I ever could get a hold of Rib Freak " I believe he is the one that says he knows were there is about 10 tubes for the metzeler then I would get a new set" Although the tubes I have are in great shape for a 1986.
Outside of that the boat is in good shape.

nobby · 24 April 2008, 09:49

I Have Just Purchased 2 Bottles Of Sealent For The Inside Of The Tubes It Is A Latex Liquid You Take The Valve S Out And Pour It In It Is Better You Take The Tubes Off Which Takes About 5 Minuetes And Rotate Them To Coat All The Inside Their Is No Need The Open The Tubes ,up At A Cost Of £12-00 Sterling Pr Bottle 1 Bottle Will Do 1 Tube So Easy Comparied To Other Ribs If You Want I Will Give You The Email Address Of The Supplier Or Can Send You It From Here No Problem Could Not Be Easeir It Is As Simple As That I Will Be Doing Mine At The Weekend The Paint Fot The Outside Is From The Same Company And Will Be Spraying The Tubes Tomorow Weather Permiting Thanks
Barry

dverstege · 25 April 2008, 13:08

It looks like you painted the hull, what kind of paint you use? Also what kind of shape was it before the paint. My rib is getting little splits on the outskirts were the two joins meet.

nobby · 25 April 2008, 20:04

The Paint For The Hull Was Called 2 Pack Acrilicthe Paint Comes Seperate And A Hardener +10 Percent Thiners Lovely Paint To Use If You Have A Spray Gun A Good Quality Mask Is Needed
As You Were Saying About Turning The Tubes Inside Out I Think It Would Be Almost Impossible To Do As The Tubes Have An Inner Tube Atached To The Outer Tubes And It Is Welded To The Outer The Best Way Is To Pour The Liquid In Through The Valves The Rib Had Been Very Badly Neglected As You Will See By The Pictures

nobby · 25 April 2008, 20:15

THE PAINT FOR THE TUBES IS A RUBERISED PAINT AND WAS SUPPLIED BY polymarine.com COLWYN BAY North Wales they have never sprayed it on befor but a gave a go what a difference look like new now also got some new stainles tube to fit in the tubes

dverstege · 25 April 2008, 22:21

You have done an incredible job on the restoration. The only reason to turn the tub inside out was the inside baffle has a leek in it. I would also like to update the valves to the auto release type. Last year I took off fishing early in the morning it was about 5-7 out and by the afternoon it was 28. It seemed I had to release air every hour on the hour and I was told the auto ones were cheap and easy to replace??? “main word told”. Any ways keep up the good work.
Question is your jockey seat made from wood?

nobby · 25 April 2008, 23:56

no the seat is made from aluminium i have taken the seat off it and only using the consol for the steering and the ignition key start and radio v h f as i am putting 2 bench seats in and a stainless steel back rest at the back i will send pics as soon as i finish the console i will probably paint it tomorrow now that the tubes are finished getting itchey feet now to get it in the water also a new trailer that i have made i also have a 1975 series 3 land rover that i am restoring in my spare time i dont know where i get the spare time from but i do watching telivision is not my favarite pastime the land rover was once owned by Denis Taylors wife in Ireland the picture is before and now half way thruogh the restoration but the rib is more urgent at the moment

dverstege · 29 April 2008, 14:08

I like the way you have the rear bench seat in your rib and have decided to do the same. How is it fastened and what is it made from? I was thinking to use 1” plywood with a support in the middle. I am not to sure still about the front. I use the rib and sib mostly for fishing so having the room to moving around is important. Thank for the pics they give me lots of ideas. I’ll be launching my boat soon now the ice is out of the lake and I’ll work on it over the summer months. So keep the pics coming and I’ll do the same when I get started.
Thanks dverstege

Richard B · 29 April 2008, 23:30

Just been going through my old photos!