Ribtec 725 refurbishment

[kevinsc]

Hi Beamishken
I drilled a pilot holes through the deck and into the first then screwed it down, also was going to bond it as well but probably it would be easier just to bond the deck down.
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi Beamishken
I drilled a pilot holes through the deck and into the first then screwed it down, also was going to bond it as well but probably it would be easier just to bond the deck down.
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

I always think it's best to screw it down to pull the deck down tight to the stringers etc then you know theres unlikely to be any gaps where it's not touching the stringers etc

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

I always think it's best to screw it down to pull the deck down tight to the stringers etc then you know theres unlikely to be any gaps where it's not touching the stringers etc

Can't wait to get the fuel tank in and get the deck screwed down for good. Then it will start to look like a rib again.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

How's your rib getting along ken

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

How's your rib getting along ken

Making slow progress, not going as quickly as I'd have liked I realy need to update the build thread & get my head back into making progress on the engine build too. Had a busy year doing stuff on the house & other work.
Good to see your making steady progress👍

[kevinsc]

I know how you feel ken not enough hours in the day to do everything.
While I'm waiting for the fuel tank arrive (end of November). Got the rest of the floor cut but running out things to do on the rib.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Forgot to attach a picture

[kevinsc]

Hi All
Picked up my new fuel tank from jay Wolfe, very well made. Started to stall the fuel tank, I have got some close cell foam and cut wedges to support the tank before PU foaming it. I have never used 2 part polyurethane foam and have a few questions sorry if there a bit daft.
How much space do you need between the tank and the hull for the foam to get under the tank and expand?
What is the best way to install the foam?
And how much foam do I need to buy?
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi All
Picked up my new fuel tank from jay Wolfe, very well made. Started to stall the fuel tank, I have got some close cell foam and cut wedges to support the tank before PU foaming it. I have never used 2 part polyurethane foam and have a few questions sorry if there a bit daft.
How much space do you need between the tank and the hull for the foam to get under the tank and expand?
What is the best way to install the foam?
And how much foam do I need to buy?
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

I've never installed a tank with it but I'd imagine if you make the void too small you'll struggle to get even coverage, I'd guess somewhere around 25mm minimum would be somewhere close, I've see it used but only filling a sub floor void. I do know you need to be careful with the quantity as it can push up floors if you pour in too much. Presumably the manufacturers will give a volume to expansion ratio so you'd need to work out the volume of your void & only mix enough to fill it & dont be tempted to mix a bit extra cos I think that's when it goes wrong I'm only guessing on the size of the void so I'd read the data sheet carefully before you proceed
Is 2025 the year for getting it wet?

[kevinsc]

Hi ken
Yes I would like to get the rib wet in 2025 and have a few trips to run it in. I've read the datasheets of several makes and all make it sound a bit ropey and only giving you 25 secs to pour it in, might need some luck in doing it.
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi ken
Yes I would like to get the rib wet in 2025 and have a few trips to run it in. I've read the datasheets of several makes and all make it sound a bit ropey and only giving you 25 secs to pour it in, might need some luck in doing it.
Cheers Kevin

Yeh you have to be careful with the quantities, my pal used it under the decks of the boats he built & had the mixing quantities noted for the compartments for production but I remember him busting a floor up on a prototype because he poured too much in, that was despite having 50mm escape holes. You need to go carefull & literally mix it & chuck it in or it starts expanding in the jug

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Hope last year was good to you all and this year is better. Haven't done a great deal since picking up the fuel tank as work been busy and other commitments. Before I install the fuel tank I got a few questions.
The fuel tank when in the rib the front end is about 40mm higher with the shape of the hull is this ok or does it need to be level?
Can the fuel tank be installed onto plywood with rubber on it to protected the bottom of the tank and foam around the sides or is it better to install tank with expanding foam underneath and round the sides
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi All
After putting off doing the fuel tank as the 2 part foam can go wrong if put to much in, I decided to go for it after reading the datasheet and working out the volume in grams required to fill under the tank. Think it went well it taken 11kg of tripor 227 to fill under and round the tank.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi All
That the fuel all glassed in and finished. Now on to getting the deck down
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi All
That the fuel all glassed in and finished. Now on to getting the deck down
Cheers Kevin

It's looking good I see the foam worked out well despite the worrying about it. What's the plan for fixing the deck down & protecting the underside of the ply? I like to laminate a layer of glass & flowcoat over the bottom of the ply but many well established builders just seam to coat them with a layer of resin. Ribcraft & redbay both just have a clear coating on the underside of their decks

On another note where do you buy your glass & resin? I've used Allscot in glasgow for years but now the have implemented a £100+vat minimum order charge which isnt always Ideal

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

It's looking good I see the foam worked out well despite the worrying about it. What's the plan for fixing the deck down & protecting the underside of the ply? I like to laminate a layer of glass & flowcoat over the bottom of the ply but many well established builders just seam to coat them with a layer of resin. Ribcraft & redbay both just have a clear coating on the underside of their decks

On another note where do you buy your glass & resin? I've used Allscot in glasgow for years but now the have implemented a £100+vat minimum order charge which isnt always Ideal

Hi Ken
The foam did work out well, not as bad as I thought. I've already have a layer on glass on the under side of the deck as for fixing the deck down not 100% sure I was was going to mix up some thickened resin to stick it down and then screw it down but I saw on YouTube a guy rebuilding a Pacific 22 using sikaflex ebt to bond his deck.
I been getting fibreglass supply limited FSL on eBay 20kg for £100 free delivery or east coast fibreglass 25kg think £140.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi All
Got all the holes cut in the deck for the fuel filler and cable pipes. But one step forward and 2 steps back, when fitting the decking down and where the pipe come through the deck it sits 5mm up and tight on the cable pipe . So will have to make a box for the cables to run. Just when I thought I was almost ready to bond the deck on.
Cheers Kevin

[A1an]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi All
Got all the holes cut in the deck for the fuel filler and cable pipes. But one step forward and 2 steps back, when fitting the decking down and where the pipe come through the deck it sits 5mm up and tight on the cable pipe . So will have to make a box for the cables to run. Just when I thought I was almost ready to bond the deck on.
Cheers Kevin

Does it have to be a box?

What about a ring made from 12mm wbp to lift the level then a waterproof hatch on top of that. Let me see if I can find a picture of what I mean.

I take it the pipe comes through the deck in the console?

[A1an]

Similar to this