My New RIB Project

[Chris Caton]

that sounds more positive, you need to find out now if its the valves or where they are glued to the tubes

[Snakedoctor]

You could also buy a complete tube rather than patch it up. Looks like Naivasha from the picture but could be wrong. It's not a place I would want to be with a rib that's not 100%.

[Huffie]

Originally Posted by Snakedoctor

You could also buy a complete tube rather than patch it up. Looks like Naivasha from the picture but could be wrong. It's not a place I would want to be with a rib that's not 100%.

It was Naivasha - but will be used at the coast. Replacement tubes are pretty expensive are they not? Whats the usual price for something this size? I think i'll stick to some patching and might look for some tuff-coat style coating as the leaks don't seem to be too bad.

Thoughts?

[Snakedoctor]

I think the tubes become expensive due to labour. Guess you need to look around here as there are sellers.

[Huffie]

Originally Posted by Snakedoctor

I think the tubes become expensive due to labour. Guess you need to look around here as there are sellers.

Well labour here is very cheap. But I doubt that there is a place that makes tubes here as not many people own RIBs. I have found a place in South Africa that claims to do retuning for £500 for a 5 meter boat. So that sounds decent - but shipping might add up.

I'd have to find someone to fit the tubes here. Firsts first though I'm going to replace the valves and hope for some advice on sealing the leak on the top right seam.

Hopefully that should work well, the tubes deflate very slowly other than the front one. They seem quite repairable.

[Trimix]

Please stop posting pictures, its depressing me. Right now here in the UK its cold, very windy, raining and dark at 5 o'clock

Good luck with the build.

[Huffie]

Just an update - getting a decent pvc repair here is next to impossible (it would seem) so the options I have is to have a go at sealing the boat up with a mate who works on white water rafts a lot - or to try that tuff-coat stuff (although mixed reviews).

The other option - which I am taking quite seriously - is to remove the tubes and send them deflated to South Africa where there are a load of companies that will produce replacements for about £1000 or less.

Quite keen on this as the boat would basically be new, my tilt and trim is broken and will need new motors also, I am back in the UK in four weeks and will get someone to look at it when I am there.

If the tubes arrived and just needed to be attached to the boat - how much of a job is it?!

[Neil Harvey]

Look up a post by slimtim (i think)some years ago, he built up a 5m Shakespeare and fitted tubes himself. You might find some tips in there.

Edit:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f16/super-s...gans-8612.html

[Ribstore]

Originally Posted by Huffie

Just an update - getting a decent pvc repair here is next to impossible.....

If you are coming over to UK in 4 weeks time then we can supply the items to repair your collar/tube and then you can take back with you: i.e. replacement valve kit, PVC fabric, 2-pack adhesive etc.

We also have an e-library for free repair help & advice.

Chris

[Huffie]

Originally Posted by Ribstore

If you are coming over to UK in 4 weeks time then we can supply the items to repair your collar/tube and then you can take back with you: i.e. replacement valve kit, PVC fabric, 2-pack adhesive etc.

We also have an e-library for free repair help & advice.

Chris

The South African company that made the boat will do me new ones for £1000 plus maybe £350 shipping costs. So doubt with labour costs in the UK that it is worth it - plus trying to get them on a plane is not going to be easy!

Correct me if I am wrong! Thanks though

[Huffie]

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

Look up a post by slimtim (i think)some years ago, he built up a 5m Shakespeare and fitted tubes himself. You might find some tips in there.

Edit:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f16/super-s...gans-8612.html

Just been looking through this - great project, not sure I could cope myself though... I'll talk with my rafting mates I bet they have done this kind of stuff before..

[Ribstore]

Originally Posted by Huffie

The South African company that made the boat will do me new ones for £1000 plus maybe £350 shipping costs. So doubt with labour costs in the UK that it is worth it - plus trying to get them on a plane is not going to be easy!

Correct me if I am wrong! Thanks though

Sorry, too many glasses of red wine i must have misunderstood, I thought that you were intending to visit the UK in 4 weeks time and i just suggested that you could collect the repair items and take back with you to undertake a DIY repair.....

[Huffie]

Originally Posted by Ribstore

Sorry, too many glasses of red wine i must have misunderstood, I thought that you were intending to visit the UK in 4 weeks time and i just suggested that you could collect the repair items and take back with you to undertake a DIY repair.....

No Worries thanks for the advice though! Useful tips though - cheers.

[Ribstore]

Originally Posted by Huffie

No Worries thanks for the advice though! Useful tips though - cheers.

Best of luck with the project, will be worth the effort.

[Huffie]

So great news, only problem with the outboard was that the carbs where all clogged up, so 30 minutes of tinkering and she fired up covering us all in water - but totally worth it. I was prepared for a big bill to fix the thing.

In other news I have got some decent quotes for new tubes, I have been advised that Grey is the colour for best longevity in the got sun. I really want Navy Blue - if I keep it covered when not on the water will it be that Bad?

In other news I have been looking at my Tilt and Trim, I took the motor off and touched the wires on my car battery and it spins away happily. I've taken some pictures below, there is clearly something missing, where the motor is meant to connect can someone advise me on what it is and if I can replace it. Once again returning to UK next month and on the South Coast (Isle Of Wight) so could bring it home for a refurb - any leads/advice?

Pictures in next post...

Cheers!

[Huffie]