Newbie - buying a Project!

Mode · 26 May 2015, 11:52

Hi all!

Will try to keep this short!

So a friend of mine has had a rib sitting in his garden for about 6 years - it is circa 7m long and also has a Mercury 200 Saltwater V6 on the back - it is also on a trailer!

Manufacturer: no idea (am looking again in more detail this weekend)
Tubes - Don't look great but have seen some good restorations on here so am sure these can be rescued/restored. Will need new strip and handles.
Hull - immaculate from first inspection laying under the boat.
Deck - needs cleaning and new hatch cover
Steering - Hydraulic and it works ok
Engine - has been covered but obviously not started/serviced for ages! Anyone for a manual for this engine???

He only wants a grand for it - I kinda think it is a no brainer for that money to be honest!

Will post some pics on here at the weekend and will then be after lots of advice on the project going forward!!!

Cheers

Mode (nickname at school - big Depeche Mode fan!

)

PS: I am not totally new to the water - I used to sail a lot then drove a rescue boat for the sailing club for a few years!

Nos4r2 · 26 May 2015, 12:23

Welcome to Ribnet

It's a no brainer if you want to buy it and chuck it on ebay for a quick profit.

Otherwise, do a VERY VERY careful evaluation of what it'll cost to repair and run. I'd expect the refurb to cost you close to £10k if the engine isn't ok. Trust me. Done it myself. Do your sums then triple them to be in the right ballpark.

It'll burn 15 gallons per hour at cruise speed and 23 gallons an hour without too much trying.

Mode · 26 May 2015, 12:35

Thanks for the reply!

That was my theory behind the "no brainer" comment.

I will basically take it off his hands then do a full assessment - I am sure the grand would come back to me if I decide it is too much to take on!

Watch this space!

Mode

Nos4r2 · 26 May 2015, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mode

Thanks for the reply!

That was my theory behind the "no brainer" comment.

I will basically take it off his hands then do a full assessment - I am sure the grand would come back to me if I decide it is too much to take on!

Watch this space!

Mode

Sensible! I look forward to pics

A1an · 26 May 2015, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Trust me. Done it myself. Do your sums then triple them to be in the right ballpark.

I remember you saying something along the same lines when I was doing the Searider, I thought to myself at the time that my "fag packet" calculations couldn't be THAT far out........I was wrong!

And I was still wrong when I did my Northcraft.

It's scary where the money goes if you buy the correct stuff.

Nos4r2 · 26 May 2015, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1an

I remember you saying something along the same lines when I was doing the Searider, I thought to myself at the time that my "fag packet" calculations couldn't be THAT far out........I was wrong!

And I was still wrong when I did my Northcraft.

It's scary where the money goes if you buy the correct stuff.

Yep, but it's really nice knowing it'll only need doing once isn't it

Xk59D · 26 May 2015, 17:19

Surely if it was a friend and you didn't want it the right thing to do is tell your friend to sell it on eBay for its market value rather than make a buck?

Or you fix it for him and go halves on it when you punt it and you do all the work.

Cheers

willk · 26 May 2015, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It'll burn 15 gallons per hour at cruise speed and 23 gallons an hour without too much trying.

Do you mean liters?

Poly · 26 May 2015, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Do you mean liters?

No he means Gals - maybe US Gals if you he's lucky...

willk · 26 May 2015, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

No he means Gals - maybe US Gals if you he's lucky...

Good grief! It seems barely possible - even The Beast wasn't necking that kinda juice.....

Nos4r2 · 26 May 2015, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

No he means Gals - maybe US Gals if you he's lucky...

Yep, US gallons as it happens.

My 225 Opti does about 0.7nm/Litre, dropping to about 0.62nm/L at WOT. The Smartcraft shows 24 US gph at WOT and between 11 and 15 US gph at 30-35kts depending on the weather.

It's not actually much more fuel than my SR5.4 uses at 30+ knots.

Mode · 27 May 2015, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Surely if it was a friend and you didn't want it the right thing to do is tell your friend to sell it on eBay for its market value rather than make a buck?

Or you fix it for him and go halves on it when you punt it and you do all the work.

Cheers

I agree but I do really want to keep it if I can! The friend just wants rid of it (it belonged to someone else and he was only storing it - the owner went back to Australia and has now said that my friend can get shot of it!)

Missed that detail off before to keep the post shorter!

I can store it easy enough and also have a mechanically minded brother in law to work on it with me. Could be rewarding project!

This weekends detailed inspection will decide it!!

Mode