New member!

[lamaale]

Hi folks,

Don't know if this is the place but I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm from Quebec (Canada) and my native language is French so please be tolerant to my writing I sail Saint-Laurence river from the Great lake to the East coast....

I'm new to this forum but has good Rib background...

Here is a web report I did in the pass for a RIB enthusiast forum here in Quebec. NautiPneu, promotion du bateau pneumatique et semi-rigide en Amérique du Nord.

This is my first inflatable (Quicksilver 430).


I've installed all the remote gears, reinforced the floor to fix those fishing boat seats!

Then got the real RIB... Bombard 530SB!


Made some mods too such as home made sundeck, reinforced console and some electrical goodies for fun.... Great ferniente boat but not eavy enough for rought water...

Now I own the Pro Open 550...


No mod yet but it's coming... As oppose the the bombard this boat feel really solid on water but not well enginered for ferniente. The back seat are totally useless and my next mod will be to figure out if I could remove those and replace with a full bench...

Because of the engine position the bench back will have to be fold down. Any comments ?

Cheers,

[martini]

Bienvenue

[excubey]

Welcome!

I just got into ribbing for the first time last month - same boat, same engine , but from 2001.

On the rear seats - I get the feeling those seats are there for kids only - if anyone sits there it also will delay your time to get up on a plane. If you rip them out for a bench, realize that the ski pylon base(that chromed curved bar thing in the middle) will have to be removed too.

Best of luck and update us all on the mods you build, would love to hear about it.

Excubey

[excubey]

For Zodiac Pro Open 550 mods - check this site:

Pro Open

Some interesting seating changes ...

[lamaale]

Originally Posted by excubey

Welcome!

I just got into ribbing for the first time last month - same boat, same engine , but from 2001.

On the rear seats - I get the feeling those seats are there for kids only - if anyone sits there it also will delay your time to get up on a plane. If you rip them out for a bench, realize that the ski pylon base(that chromed curved bar thing in the middle) will have to be removed too.

Best of luck and update us all on the mods you build, would love to hear about it.

Excubey

Yes will most likely remove the pylon... I didn't buy the accessories and don't plan to, so pretty useless for me.

[lamaale]

Originally Posted by excubey

For Zodiac Pro Open 550 mods - check this site:

Pro Open

Some interesting seating changes ...

Thanks for the link! I'm already member of pneuboat but never hit this one.. lots of mods to replace front seat with bolster but nothing yet on the rear ones. I will keep looking

[excubey]

Found that third seat option you were talking about:

Zodiac Marine - Accessories - 3rd Pro Open 550 seat