My new Ribtec project ... - Page 2

Hightower · 20 November 2006, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

.

Is the Laser II made from stainless or is it Ali? My thoughts had always been that as stainless is so tough, if you do have the misfortune to have a ding

then the gearbox is taking all the stress. If your prop is made of ali this is going to bend a lot more - thereby protecting your gearbox somewhat. Opinions anyone ?

Andrew

My feeling exactly!

I did some back to back tests with SS props and Alloy ones, I did get certain gains in performance but not in top speed. Didn't seem like it was worth the extra money on my set-up.

AndrewH · 20 November 2006, 15:38

Just had this photo from Paul Tilley showing my Ribtec in his workshop.

Apparently he's just got a 13m (!!!

) rib to finish and then mine will start to get the Tilley Treatment.

Andrew

Hightower · 20 November 2006, 18:51

What Colour blue is that?

paul tilley · 20 November 2006, 18:59

it started life as delphe blue aerazur fabric from henshaws

Searider · 20 November 2006, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Is the Laser II made from stainless or is it Ali? My thoughts had always been that as stainless is so tough, if you do have the misfortune to have a ding

then the gearbox is taking all the stress. If your prop is made of ali this is going to bend a lot more - thereby protecting your gearbox somewhat. Opinions anyone ?

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Yes Laser II is stainless, and come to think of it, the one I had was a solid hub one with no rubber bushing. Never had any problems but never dinked it either.

Whether or not you need to worry about "dinging" the prop and risking the gearbox depends on how likely you are going to be touching the bottom. I guess if you are in Poole you are quite likely to be in the shallows and might expect to be dredging from time to time. Perhaps an expendable alloy prop might suit

Duncan

AndrewH · 20 November 2006, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

I guess if you are in Poole you are quite likely to be in the shallows and might expect to be dredging from time to time. Perhaps an expendable alloy prop might suit

Duncan

Yes - I've only tried "realigning the edges of the Wych channel" once and that was all pretty much sand. However, had their been anything solid there I might have been a good bit less happy.

Thanks Duncan

Andrew

AndrewH · 28 November 2006, 23:51

I've just received this latest batch of photos from Paul Tilley.

1) Shows where the patches and grab handles have been removed

2) Shows the tubes once they have been fully sanded to remove the original damaged outer coating. By this point they've also been sealed with diluted adhesive that's been allowed to sink into the fabric

3) Some real boys toys. 13m and 8m ribs that are sat outside having just been finished

GuyP · 29 November 2006, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

I've just received this latest batch of photos from Paul Tilley.

Andrew - Looks like it's coming along well. Amazing what a good clean up can do!

Is that a switch panel on the back of your jockey seat?

AndrewH · 29 November 2006, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

Looks like it's coming along well. Amazing what a good clean up can do!

Is that a switch panel on the back of your jockey seat?

Yeah - I'm kind of feeling like a kid waiting for my new toy at Christmas. Hey Paul if you're reading this how are you going to fit my rib on Santa's Sleigh?

It actually a panel for the 3 (yes 3 !!) battery isolator switches - all mounted on a small piece of carbon fibre laminate

paul tilley · 29 November 2006, 07:38

santa said it wont fit on the sleigh but rudolph has offered to tow it . new patches should start to go on today

AndrewH · 29 November 2006, 22:57

As Paul said in his last post the new cover layers are starting to go on, and I can let you have the first few images.

4) Top cover applied to the port side rear cone
5) The rear chambers on both sides now covered in Artic Grey fabric

Kernow Buoy · 29 November 2006, 23:06

Hi Andrew
Don't know if you've been out in her at all but I can promise you a Ribtec 5.35with a 90 will fly!

I've been doing a few mods myself, the most effective of which was to put in a backrest for the coxswain, same style as the original but 100mm higher, the Ribtec seat is very wide and low and when seated impacts can't be cushioned by your legs, the backrest made another point of contact from which to absorb the shocks and was well worth the £70 for the SS.
Have fun with her.
Kernow

AndrewH · 29 November 2006, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

Don't know if you've been out in her at all but I can promise you a Ribtec 5.35with a 90 will fly!

Coooolllll - Thanks Kernow. I've not yet had a chance to "go for a burn" but I'm really looking forward to getting her on the water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

I've been doing a few mods myself, the most effective of which was to put in a backrest for the coxswain, same style as the original but 100mm higher ... the backrest made another point of contact from which to absorb the shocks

Do I read from this that you tend to helm in an almost standing position so that you can rest your lower back into the new back rest? Have you also got any piccies - I'd be interested to see any if you have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

Have fun with her.

Thanks - I'm sure I will

Andrew

Biggles · 30 November 2006, 00:27

Is that Arctic Grey fabric just stuck on the old blue fabric ?

AndrewH · 30 November 2006, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Is that Arctic Grey fabric just stuck on the old blue fabric ?

If my understanding is correct, what Paul has done is sand back all of the top surface of the old blue fabric to give a really good surface to bond on too. He's then used some very dilute adhesive as a primer/sealer so that it really sinks into the old blue layer. He's then cut what in effect are the biggest patches you've ever seen and bonded them onto the now freshly sealed underlayer. Then he's sealing the edges of the new layer all the way around before finally applying the handles, grab lines, cosmetic wear patches etc.

Lookin' good isn't she?

Andrew

Kernow Buoy · 30 November 2006, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Do I read from this that you tend to helm in an almost standing position so that you can rest your lower back into the new back rest? Have you also got any piccies - I'd be interested to see any if you have

Andrew

Hi Andrew
I tried to work it so that the backrest would provide support whilst standing but to be honest with the wheel so low its a bit of a compromise, I'm not saying you can't stand and use the rest but it's not ideal.
What is a big plus is that I can now remain seated in much greater comfort with greater security and the grab handle makes life far more pleasant for the person sat behind the coxswain.

In the left hand pic is the new seatrest with the new pad, the 2nd is a new seatrest with the old smaller pad and the 3rd row is the original smaller rest without a pad at all !( I'm experimenting)

AndrewH · 30 November 2006, 10:39

Thanks Kernow

As ever - a picture is worth a thousand words. Much clearer now

. Did you get the S/S work done local to you or did you have to send away for it?

Regards, Andrew

Kernow Buoy · 30 November 2006, 11:00

I tried all the manufacturers including Ribtec ( changed the console style) without success, eventually found a firm who could bend stainless locally and charged me £70 per rest, just a thought they probably still have the spec of mine, they are http://www.southwayengineering.co.uk/
If you do speak to them they supplied them to Jeff Taylor at Carlyon Bay St. Austell.

AndrewH · 30 November 2006, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kernow

If you do speak to them they supplied them to Jeff Taylor at Carlyon Bay St. Austell.

Thanks Kernow

AndrewH · 30 November 2006, 23:39

Next installment.

6) View of the front chamber - now fully covered
7) Port side from bow
8) Port side from astern

If you look carefully on 8) you can see where the masking tape is marking the areas where the grab handle and life line attachment points will be attached. I'm reliably informed that she'll be finished soon and then I can get her home

Andrew