Ribtec 655

Sloopinn · 16 May 2015, 23:07

Hi
New to the forum and very impressed with the knowledge of this site members etc. not sure if I'm posting in the correct place? So please forgive me if so.
Proud owner of a ribtec 655,had the boat for over 2yrs now.
Have fitted her out with a 150hp yamaha 4 stroke which gives plenty of power an runs nicely. But the problem I have is I don't feel she handles as well as she should at full speed say about 45 nots she gets a bit twitchy,rolly. I have fibre glassed raised the transom by about 4 inches so that the plate at the bottom of the engine above the prop runs about level with the bottom of the boat as I was told this was the Wright set up. And the weight distribution on board is even. Starting about middle of the deck helm controls 2 double jockey seats. We average about 4 to 6 people on board. But like I say at high speed gets twitchy an tends to pull to one side even with engine trimmed in. I'm running a 21 prop stainless left hand drive. I am a bit of a novice and I hope ive used the correct terminology. Any advice help would be realy appreciated.
Regards Matt

Pikey Dave · 17 May 2015, 08:50

At 45Kn you're probably getting into chine walking territory, I'd say that 45kn is the best you would get from that setup. What are you expecting to get?

thomas · 17 May 2015, 11:36

I have the same combination and was twitchy, plenty of weight in the bow locker made a huge difference. Never had that performance from mine though, 42 knots single handed is my limit.

Sloopinn · 17 May 2015, 12:25

Thanks for your replys. What you've said makes sense more weight in the bow,I have the anchor storage an a stainless steel anchor pole up there at the moment but was also thinking of making up a small foam padded seat a putting a passenger up there just to add more weight when needed. But suppose at top end speed of around 45 it's got to be expected for things to get a bit on the edge.

Pikey Dave · 17 May 2015, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloopinn

but was also thinking of making up a small foam padded seat a putting a passenger up there just to add more weight when needed. ......... 45 it's got to be expected for things to get a bit on the edge.

I wouldn't be putting a passenger up front if it's getting twitchy, not unless it's someone you wanted rid of

Sloopinn · 17 May 2015, 19:13

Haha good shout, a bit of disposable ballast,preferably the one who don't like putting his hand in his pocket when it comes to filling her up, or shyes away when it's his round later that evening??

paul tilley · 18 May 2015, 07:57

Ribtecs can get twitchy at higher speed go out to sea with two or three empty 5 gallon containers in the bows ,gradually fill them with water until you get better handling you can then put permanent lead shot or steel punchings mixed with resin in the bows to the same weight as the water

Sloopinn · 18 May 2015, 15:04

Thanks for that Paul, bloody good idea. That way should be able to experiment an get the weight just Wright. When you say then putting, fixing lead in the bows how would you go about doing that?
Drilling holes an filling or just resin bonding it to the hull. Sorry for my ignorance could you please explain more. Regards Matt

paul tilley · 18 May 2015, 16:16

the only boats I have seen it done on had a 150mm diameter hole cut in the deck in the bows and lead shot resin mix poured in as there was a crossmember under the deck near the bows to prevent it from flowing to far back

Sloopinn · 18 May 2015, 17:03

Was that on a ribtec ?

paul tilley · 19 May 2015, 16:36

Not on a Ribtec but I might have a drawing at work of the under deck structure for a ribtec . If you email me on paul@tidel.biz I will check and send you a copy if I still have it

lakelandterrier · 19 May 2015, 22:17

Isn't the boat getting twitchy at 45kts, trying to tell you that it's nearing the limits for the rig?

I think I'd be happy being able to cruise comfortably at 40kts (well if I wasn't paying for the fuel

)

LT

Sloopinn · 19 May 2015, 23:14

Boonematthew@aol.com

Sloopinn · 19 May 2015, 23:25

It's says on the transom plate that it can take up to 200hp engine,so it should be able to handle a 150. Not that I'm not happy, but just thought if theirs some fairly easy tweaks,adjustments I can make to help achieve a more stable ride at top end. If not I can live with it.

Ian M · 20 May 2015, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloopinn

It's says on the transom plate that it can take up to 200hp engine,so it should be able to handle a 150. Not that I'm not happy, but just thought if theirs some fairly easy tweaks,adjustments I can make to help achieve a more stable ride at top end. If not I can live with it.

Just go for it. If there is something that you can do through experimentation or whatever to make your rig more stable/safer at the top end then do all you can. Think how rewarded you will feel when you are safely cruising at that 45 knots thinking I made this possible. The alternative, just accepting what you currently have, will have few rewards.