My new Ribcraft 5 Mtr

[matt h]

Trouble is that Chris is worried it may be quicker than his relic!!: i would imagine that he has ordered a faster prop and engine re -bore!

[Chris]

You may be faster but i bet you missus will still want to ride with me

[matt h]

dah, clucking bell you got me there!! she loves going on your boat, she says your all soft and squidgy.anyway if the waves are more than 1 inch she aint coming!!

you got that candid camera thing working??

[Chris]

Originally Posted by matt h

she says your all soft and squidgy

:d

[matt h]

As promised some new build pics!!

Called in to Ribcrafts new Research and Development factory in Yeovil today to see the Gelcoat going into the mould. Blimey, talk about spotless !!!! Hull looks superb!!

I'm going to post the new build pics as comprehensively as i can mainly because I've had alot of e mails wanting to see the build process as I have done before and also I guess it will be of interest to many of you how a Rib is made from start to finish. Just as well I'm working near Yeovil at the moment, as once the Hull has been formed its quite a quick process through the stages. yeeeha

I was having a sneaky look at other stuff in there and quite obviously a shit load of money has gone into other methods of Construction, mainly associated mouldings and in the not so distant future the hulls themselves.

[Neil Harvey]

wow, that's some facility!

[matt h]

Anyway the new system that is up and running in the new R&D centre is called RTM Light closed moulding (stands for Resin Transfer Moulding)

Whilst I was there, they were making a single jockey seat, normally this takes many hours of labour to construct manually as it would have been rolled by hand the normal labour intensive traditional way.

Basically with this new system, the fibre glass weave is placed in to a Vat type thing (picture 1 ,2 and 3) and under a vacuum presssure (blue machine) the resin, which is pre heated with a 2% mixture of Catalist ,together is forced and bled down the side of the seat moulding to make a seat base.

Takes 1 hour to set the machine up to the completed moulding of the seat, I would imagine that saves 3 hours or more labour per unit which would ensure a faster build for your new Rib.

Using the RTM Closed system they acheive a total 100% coverage at exactly the same thickness they want. If you want the seat base to be thicker in some parts and not other, it can be easily done, any extra waste goes into a catchpot through a hole shown at the bottom.

Last picture is my new hull...... Yeeeeha

[matt h]

Neil, Hope your be out for some winter cruising again??

[Neil Harvey]

Originally Posted by matt h

Neil, Hope your be out for some winter cruising again??

yep, whenever I'm back and the weathers not horrendous

[Chatts]

Matt - Was out of Lyme today with full fuel, 3 adults and gear. Cruises at 23knots at around 3800rpm. Still taking it easy with the engine but did couple of runs up to 6000rpm and got 37knots. Felt like it wanted to keep going. Got a 19" pitch prop. Don't know anything about them, reckon I should try a steeper pitch?

[matt h]

going on to Suzukis web site the max throttle range is

Full Throttle Operating Range: 5300 - 6300rpm

so there is still some beans left in the suzook which you are not able to find, im thinking that the weight factor is likely losing you 3-4 knots, dump the crew off and try again a couple of flat out runs, as you can do this briefly whilst running in at the later stages

if you were to increase the pitch your rev would go further down the scales with the given info.

Nos is superb with pitches/props would be worth talking with him, or go to Race marine and try a couple of props there, maybe if you have a 19 pitch ally, try a 17 pitch Stainless, also try increasing the size by 1/4 inch on the s/s prop, (eg your running 12x19 ,,,try 12 1/4 x 17 s/s !!

[Leapy]

Matt - Which engine did you settle on?

[matt h]

putting a Yam 90 two stroke on it!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by matt h

putting a Yam 90 two stroke on it!

For you to compare, my Ribcraft 5.3 with a Suzuki DF90 does 41mph @ 5800rpm, two adults plus one child plus kit

[J S]

Originally Posted by matt h

putting a Yam 90 two stroke on it!

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by matt h

putting a Yam 90 two stroke on it!

Nice one.

[matt h]

Cheers, its the perfect engine for it..im hoping to give Chris a run for his money!! mind you ,i did cane the living daylights out of his this weekend from Bristol to Lynmouth, balls out all the way, 43.5 kts, More power egor

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by matt h

Cheers, its the perfect engine for it..im hoping to give Chris a run for his money!! mind you ,i did cane the living daylights out of his this weekend from Bristol to Lynmouth, balls out all the way, 43.5 kts, More power egor

Hmmm,could be close!.. Hope Chris is not looseing TOO MUCH SLEEP!
Whats the latest Matt?

[matt h]

its arrived, well the engine that is!!

[gibbo500]

Originally Posted by matt h

its arrived, well the engine that is!!

Matt,

How the hell did you get hold of that beauty?