Ribcraft 4.8 Renovation Project

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

I have finally finished renovating (to A1 condition) a 1997 Ribcraft 4.8 I picked up last year.

A few pictures of the project are attached to this post.

It has been totally re-rigged with:

New Evinrude E-tec 60hp
Evinrude remotes
Evinrude System Check Guages
Teleflex Steering System and wheel (No Feedback)
Sony CDX-HR70MW Marine Head Unit
Sony RM-X55M Waterproof Remote Guage
4x Sony XS-MP62 Marine Speakers
2x A-frame speaker cans
1x drop down rader reflector
Icom M421 DSC VHF + VHF/FM Antenna
Twin Quicksilver 25litre plastic tanks
Bespoke stainless spray screen and grab rail
Navman Tracker 5500
Navman Depth Guage
Nav lights
Jockey Console Locks and Vents
New Battery with Isolator and solar charger
Rule 500 Automatic Bilge System

A video of her in action: Video of the finished boat in action

Cheers
Gareth

Ribcraft 4.8 / Evinrude E-tec 60hp
Zodiac Futura Mk2 / Yamaha 50hp 2Stroke

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

A few more pictures

[gibbo500]

Nice one Gareth looks great. If i ever get rid of the SR4 the 4.8 will be my next boat.

What sort of speed do you get out of her with the ETEC?

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

Cheers gibbo - At the moment 30knots fully trimmed out at spot on 6000rpm That is with the standard 15" aluminium prop - going to try an e-tec 13.25 x 17" prop next...

She cruises really nicely at 20knots at 4000rpm and is very good on fuel and XD100 oil!

Planning on doing a few runs with a couple of SR4s in the next month or so. It will be good to see how they compare.

G

[Chris]

Your Optimum RPM on that engine is 5600-5700 so you should easily pull a 17inch prop

You may find you can pull 18", how high is the vent plate on the transom ?

Chris

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

Hi Chris,

Yeah I know some people run 19" props with the 60hp on light RIBS.

A pic attached showing the plates and the transom. Not sure if it needs lifting a bolt notch as its set as low as she will go at the mo.

Ta G

[Hightower]

When I was setting my outboard up I just kept raising the engine one hole at a time each trip and putting the engine on full lock whilst on full power untill I started to lose grip and started to get ventilation at normal trim levels. Trimming in a little now means that I never lose grip in high speed cornering and I'm safe in the knowledge that I'm at optimal height.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by ZodiacFuturaMk2

Hi Chris,

Yeah I know some people run 19" props with the 60hp on light RIBS.

A pic attached showing the plates and the transom. Not sure if it needs lifting a bolt notch as its set as low as she will go at the mo.

Ta G

Thats very low at the moment. The E-tec likes to run quite high up and I would start by lifting it until the plate is about 1.5" above the bottom edge of the transom. So probably 3 holes up as each hole is 1/2" You may even be able to go all the way up to the 4th hole as at the moment you are below the bottom of the transom.

When you do this you wil gain speed and RPM so will probably find that a 19" prop will pull well. You will also get better fuel consumption as well.

When at the right height and the boat is on the plane you should be able to see the Vent plate running just on top of the water.

I reckon you should be good for 40knots

[ollyit]

very nice work there mate

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

Originally Posted by Chris

Thats very low at the moment. The E-tec likes to run quite high up and I would start by lifting it until the plate is about 1.5" above the bottom edge of the transom. So probably 3 holes up as each hole is 1/2" You may even be able to go all the way up to the 4th hole as at the moment you are below the bottom of the transom.

When you do this you wil gain speed and RPM so will probably find that a 19" prop will pull well. You will also get better fuel consumption as well.

When at the right height and the boat is on the plane you should be able to see the Vent plate running just on top of the water.

I reckon you should be good for 40knots

Chris - Thanks for the info - I will try and lift the engine and inch (two holes) and run it there for a bit. I would like to order a prop this week, either a 17" or a 19" ali - just need to consider which one.

Cheers
G

[Maximus]

Nice job! Should have alot of fun with that!!By the way,Chris the 'Born Fiddler'... aka.. .......'Mr E-tec'is a font of Knollege,and well worth listening too on all things pertaining,and that from my local dealer!

[JSP]

That looks a very smart RIB! Nice job!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by ZodiacFuturaMk2

Chris - Thanks for the info - I will try and lift the engine and inch (two holes) and run it there for a bit. I would like to order a prop this week, either a 17" or a 19" ali - just need to consider which one.

Cheers
G

Yes a good start!

Have a chat with Maximus, he had a 19" Ali prop I gave him that would fit your etec so you could try b4 you buy.

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

Originally Posted by Chris

Yes a good start!

Have a chat with Maximus, he had a 19" Ali prop I gave him that would fit your etec so you could try b4 you buy.

Well that would be most kind of him! Raised the motor up tonight - its now about an inch about the base of the transom....will give that a whirl!

Cheers

G

[Jon Brooks]

She is a top little boat, I have had the pleasure of taking her for a raz out.
Looks great parked next to mine!!

You have done a great job with her Gareth!!

[Nasher]

She does look a very nice boat. well done

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Looks great parked next to mine!!

I knew I'd seen those nice stainless steel park benches before somewhere

Nasher.

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Nasher

I knew I'd seen those nice stainless steel park benches before somewhere

Nasher.

Park benches!! how rude!! we don't allow tramps on the boat, well we used but I fell out with the local tramp so he ain't allowed on any more!!

[ZodiacFuturaMk2]

After lifting the engine a few holes - she revs to 6000RPM no problem - I'm just awaiting a 17 or 19" to become available....John at Ribstuff is looking through his stock for anything suitable....just awaiting to hear back.

Cheers

G

[Jizm]

Good job, very tidy....

[Grasshopper]

Very nice job I doubt many Ribs come out of Ribcraft looking that good. I have a 5.45 and I am looking to fit a similar bespoke stainless spray screen and grab rail that you have fitted where did you get your one please.