Osprey Sparrowhawk Project

[1eyedjim]

After owning a Searider 4m a few years back that i rebuilt i moved over to a bow rider and now have a 2655 bayliner but have always missed the fun element of a rib, my dad brought a Sparrowhawk new back in 1989

i loved the boat as a kid and was gutted when he sold it and always wanted one of my own. So recently i had been keeping my eyes peeled for one or an Eagle, i did find an Eagle up in the inner Hebrides but i was going away and was sold before i returned, so started looking and found the lucky contender that is currently undergoing work.





the tubes are faded so will have some time spent on the getting them back nice,
the console has been badly painted so is being removed and new console/double pod seats fitted,
dive bottle rack has been removed
all wiring removed as again was not done as i would have liked

few pics of the removal process






jobs to be completed are

i will be sanding and spraying the nose all white as the gelcoat has faded and looks awful
install 120ltr tank into the hull
fit new console
fit 2 x double pod seats
install hydraulic steering
straighten a frame and reinstall
paint deck white
remove blue anti foul from the hull
repair keel as it has been repaired in the past and isn't a job id be proud of so will be having some attention
probably forgot loads but will try and keep you all posted as i progress

Jim

[kerny]

Good luck with the project and I will be looking forward to your progress and pics Love the tow car by the way

[1eyedjim]

i could fit the tow car in the boat lol

[kerny]

Originally Posted by 1eyedjim

i could fit the tow car in the boat lol

Yeh in the anchor locker

[Chris Caton]

nice rib, keep the pics coming, Mike Whitham of Whitham Glassfibre is the man for Osprey consoles, made and fitted my new SR4 console for me

[1eyedjim]

I spoke with mike last week and will be getting the console and pods from him in a couple of weeks when get paid. Can't wait

[Daniel]

Good project. I saw that boat for sale and was hoping to get it cheap as I've always wanted a hardnose osprey but you outbid me clearly !!

[nugent]

Told you it was worth doing



http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/should-b...his-61053.html

[1eyedjim]

Won it at £2150 but when I got there noticed the keel and the a frame had pulled up a bit so looked like someone had fallen into it and he knocked £150 off so was happy with that as knew it was being pulled apart lol. Engine starts nice. Bit lumpy so will clean carbs out change oil and impeller new plugs etc and see how it goes then.

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by 1eyedjim

I spoke with mike last week and will be getting the console and pods from him in a couple of weeks when get paid. Can't wait

Mike is a top bloke, made a really nice job of making and fitting console/jockeys to my SR4, can't recommend him highly enough

[1eyedjim]

I'm not gonna lie this isn't going to be a record breaking project lol

Console is now off.

Hole cut in the bow for Henderson hatch and to allow me space to get in and fibreglass the two holes on the bow previously cut.

Still contemplating what to do about seating.
I will be having a single console but then wanted two double pod seats either side at the back. Has anyone got a pic or know if this is going to be a bit cramped?

Also. Think it may be easier to flip the boat upside down to remove the antifoul and re gel the bottom where required. Has anyone got any tips of making the flip easier as will just be getting the mates round to help lol

[1eyedjim]

Well today started with the intention of filling the two holes on the bow and then starting to scrape off the anti foul.

Well that changed when we started scraping and decided removing the engine and flipping it over would be faster and to be fair it was. It's just a sh*t job using a chisel to remove anti foul lol.

Whilst upside down there has been some glassing done previously and isn't the nearest of jobs so will be sanding this back. Tidying it up and then will flocoat the bottom to get it back looking spik and span.

The bread dolly I had was perfect for moving the hull about the drive. Was just a shame the trailer only has one wheel as took the bearings out of the other as this made it a bit more adventurous getting the boat off lol

[SiR_Pete]

Jasus jim, didn see your project thread before untle i seen you talking about the zapcat.. ill be keeping an eye on this as i want to do something very similar myself with an SR5.4 but the same as your self i want to sell the jet ski first..

(by the way its pete from ireland)

[1eyedjim]

hello mate,

i need to actually update this as got a but further forward with it and brought a fair bit of stuff for it.

ill keep an eye out for a 5.4 though mate and let you know if i see anything

[1eyedjim]

Well may as well use this as a time to update,

after removing the antifould the previous owner had "reinforced the keel" but there was too much flex in the hull for me to be comftable so i set about ripping the floor out and spent ages removing the foam and cleaning up the hull. pics are below showing some of the progress and i am glad i have done this as it defo needed reinforcing.











i have also sold the Suzuki that came with the boat and replaced with a Yamaha 90Hp and also the 102ltr tank has arived. new wood for the floor has been purchased and console has been ordered from Mike Whitham and collecting in just over a week.

[match]

Hi from a complete novice at this how do you go about redoing the floor as I'm doing my Eagle up but not sure what lengths to go as yet. Cheers Nigel.

[1eyedjim]

It cut around the outside where the wood finished and lifted it out in three pieces. Was a time consuming job making sure didn't cut where I didn't want to.

I will be adding ducting under the floor so was another incentive to rip it all up

[Chris Caton]

good fuel tanks them, as are mikes consoles and anchor lockers

[gotchiguy]

I'm not sure all that foam should be there....could be wrong though...

[Chris]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

I'm not sure all that foam should be there....could be wrong though...

The early ones were foam filled...