My First Post - Pacific 22

[GuyC]

I've been lurking on this site for a bit but I'm finally in a position to possibly buy my first RIB.

I've decided I want a diesel inboard - safety, availability and price of fuel, low C of G. I've also found myself being drawn to a Pacific 22.

Is it worth holding out for a Yanmar (re)powered one or is the Mermaid engined one OK?

Is there anyone in the Southampton area who knows what they are looking at when viewing a Pac 22. I could probably do with someone who may be able to curb my enthusiasm to buy.

Cheers

Guy

[cleatsandcode]

From Experience:

Is the deck a bit soft?

Can the leg go up and down OK? (is it held with strops when not in use?)

Is the steering solid (again, not soft feeling)?

We had more problems with hydraulics in the leg trim/steering which was an endless PITA. Deck was straightforward, just time consuming. As for mechanicals, other people know far more on here and the Pac 22's have a good following.

[Poly]

The mermaid engines were old reliable lumps (not saying the yanmars are not also). Some people felt they were a bit lacking in speed for typical leisure duties. Of course it depends what you want to use it for. A small number were uprated during rebuilds by mermaid after they retired from military service. Beware that there are apparently more boats around claiming to be uprated than mermaid saw! So if top speed matters to you, trial it with your typical load.

[Razorbill]

Very happy with my old Pacific/Mermaid combo, just be aware that spares are limited for the Sternpowr legs. If your planning to trailer it, you'll need a substantial vehicle?

[Razorbill]

There's one near you on eBay currently?
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...obalID=EBAY-GB

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Poly

Some people felt they were a bit lacking in speed for typical leisure duties. Of course it depends what you want to use it for.

Sorry about this, but I am going to have to agree with Poly
My dive club bought a Pac 22, the Boats Officer being persuaded by the same arguments that the OP indicated. It was a disaster. Eventually the outdrive fell off and that was the end of that
During the short time it was running I came to the same conclusions that Poly wrote. In automotive terms it was a reasonable tractor, the experience being dominated by that 4 cylinder old tech diesel. In my opinion the hull was good, punching through chop, due to good design and sheer weight. Depends on your priorities I guess.

[Razorbill]

The legs are a bit of a nightmare to be honest. The one that was on my boat when I bought it was in a bad way and only lasted a season after which I managed to p/x it for a better one. Lancing have the monopoly on parts in the UK. I've just bought a new prop, £45, No wonder the MOD have gone over to jet drives!

[Ian Austin]

I had one for about 7 years, loved every trip with it, twice Plymouth to the Solent, i must have done 2000-2500 hrs in that time, top speed was 26 knts, did have the engine rebuilt after a few years mainly because i over fuelled it to get more power due to the extra weight of all the coding equipment and my other bit and it weighed in just under 2 1/4 tons without the trailer.

Would i buy another ohhh yes and i did (a 24') but fitted a pair of 135 outboards now 40 knts

They will take anything weather wise you throw at it.

good luck with your decision

[GuyC]

Thanks for the responses.

I did go and buy one, number 9125. It appears to have been well looked after by the previous owner. It has the standard Mermaid engine and the Stern Powr leg. It also had new Ribcraft made tubes a couple of years ago.

It has a steering leak which I've temporarily 'fixed' by cable tying a cloth around the steering column. I've bought a new seal from ASAP Supplies near Lowestoft but having done a similar type of seal on my motorbike I'll wait until I'm not impatient to use the boat before attempting the repair.

I'll use the winter lay up to get more acquainted with it and do some tinkering. I can see a bigger fuel tank being added. Vetus do a 170 litre tank which looks like it would fit between the longitudinals. Does anyone re-circ their fuel through a filter to polish it before it goes, via another filter, to the engine?

Stern Powr - I've noted the comments on availability of parts. I found a firm called Midland Marine Propulsion who advertise Stern Powr stuff although I've yet to try them.

I just need to learn how to drive the thing now.

[willk]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I've bought a new seal from ASAP Supplies near Lowestoft but having done a similar type of seal on my motorbike I'll wait until I'm not impatient to use the boat before attempting the repair.
ASAP are A1 - but I'd wait too!
I'll use the winter lay up to get more acquainted with it and do some tinkering. I can see a bigger fuel tank being added. Vetus do a 170 litre tank which looks like it would fit between the longitudinals. Does anyone re-circ their fuel through a filter to polish it before it goes, via another filter, to the engine?
Unless you are determined to buy completely pants fuel, then running the fuel flow line through a decent prefilter like a Racor 500FG will be more than enough. Fit it where you can inspect easily. A 10 micron cartridge will catch virtually everything before the fuel hits the filter on the engine but will need changed quite often depending on your fuel quality. Fill with clean fuel and treat occasionally and you should be fine.
I just need to learn how to drive the thing now.

I know just how you feel

[Poly]

If steering fluid is getting out then air must be getting in. Be very careful that you don't loose control at a critical moment - there was a tragic accident ten yrs ago attributed to this (search maib loch lomond rib)

[Razorbill]

The steering leak must be a common problem, I managed with a rag cable tied around mine for a bit too! It's not a difficult job to change but ideally don't do it if you're off out for a run, just in case!
Looks like a nice tidy boat, '91 is the year of manufacture if you didn't know. I've kept my original fuel tank but fitted a large hatch for storage in front of the consul.
Have fun, they're not the fastest thing on the water but more of a Land Rover-on-Sea!

[Razorbill]

On the fuel question, I have a combined filter(Delphi 296) water separator with glass bowl in line before the twin filters (also Delphi 296) on the engine itself. If you can fit a Racor it would be a nice upgrade.

[Bluesky]

New on here. Had a pac 22 for 3 years. The only one in jersey apart from one with outboard.
Basically been through most things but lot’s to do. Had to find my own way. My latest problem is steering ram leaking so needs to come off.
My question is any drawings or any specific way of going about it as I’m sure it won’t come easy.

[GuyC]

I'm assuming it's a Sternpowr stern drive.

I've got a manual. If you PM me with your e-mail address, I'll send it to you.

[Bluesky]

Hi Guy
Yes it is. That would be much appreciated.
Johndawes33@msn.com

Thanks john

[Twintwin5]

Hi john bit random question do you have a manual for sternpowr 101 trying to find a copy many thanks wayne

[Pete7]

Have one for the boat if that is of interest:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...?do=file&id=72

[Twintwin5]

Thank you very much for that, also I’m trying to find out the history of the boat a bit more can you give me a point in the right direction at all the number of the boat is 9330 many thanks

[mortimet5126]

Originally Posted by Bluesky

New on here. Had a pac 22 for 3 years. The only one in jersey apart from one with outboard.
Basically been through most things but lot’s to do. Had to find my own way. My latest problem is steering ram leaking so needs to come off.
My question is any drawings or any specific way of going about it as I’m sure it won’t come easy.

Very easy to do , you will need to take one of the bushers out wher the rams fits in the leg , just so you can get a slight angle to remove the ram.