Ribtec 725 refurbishment

[kevinsc]

Hi all
I started to remove the fuel tank, I was surprised when cutting the back support for the fuel tank the amount of water that came out and the support was sodding and rotten. But being new to rebuilding boat I wasn't expecting foam under the fuel tank.
Which leads me on to my next question do you need as much foam under the tank, because I would like to put a slightly bigger fuel tank same shape but 50mm higher, so would only have 50mm of foam instead of 100mm.
Thank you for the help.
Cheers Kevin Attachment 143752Attachment 143753

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Got the stringers out up to the joint and sanded the gelcoat off in prep for tabbing in the new stringers. Also started cutting the transom wood to make it thicker.
If you see anything not correct please any pointers would be appreciated.
One thing I'm not sure about is the hole where the stern drive came through should I cut on the outside of the bolt hole to get rid of them before I fill it in.
Thank you for the help.
Cheers Kevin Attachment 143853

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

One thing I'm not sure about is the hole where the stern drive came through should I cut on the outside of the bolt hole to get rid of them before I fill it in.
Thank you for the help.
Cheers Kevin

Your slowly getting past the worst bit, the stripping back & grinding it awful, putting new bits in is far more satisfying.

I get why your thinking to cut outside the bolt holes to get rid of any potential voids & its not a bad idea. Personally I'd leave as much of the original transom as possible but also understand the desire to get rid of the potential voids. I think I'd drill out the holes slightly to ensure no sealant etc remains then I'd find some dowel to fit & stick it in with thickened resin to completely fill the holes. You'll need to grind back well past the holes anyway to glass over the ply inserts I assume you'll be glassing in. Usually chamfer the hole to a taper 7x (or more) than the thickness of the glass so you don't have a hard edge which will eventually crack if you just butt up to it.
Neither way is wrong its personal choice which way you go

[kevinsc]

Thank you for the reply beamishken.
I think I will plug them up, didn't realise you have to chamfer the edge of the holes to stop it cracking. I will be fibreglassing over the transom with 2 layers to cover the holes.
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Thank you for the reply beamishken.
I think I will plug them up, didn't realise you have to chamfer the edge of the holes to stop it cracking. I will be fibreglassing over the transom with 2 layers to cover the holes.
Cheers Kevin

Im assuming you'll cut & bond in ply inserts for the large hole? Once you've bonded ply in to the origional level Chamfer around the large hole before you glass over to build up to the the existing thickness. Chamfering the joint means you dont have a butt joint around the hole, its stronger as you have a larger surface area of bonded glass. If your going to glass over the entire outer transom thats even better.

[kevinsc]

Hi beamishken
I was going insert ply into the big hole and build it up the same way the transom was built and then put 2 layers of glass over it. I will chamfer the existing glass then building up the big hole.
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi beamishken
I was going insert ply into the big hole and build it up the same way the transom was built and then put 2 layers of glass over it. I will chamfer the existing glass then building up the big hole.
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin Attachment 143860

Yep thats how I'd do it. I'd clean off all around the hole like you've started to help the bond & check for any damp that might have seeped in. Looks solid where you've ground though

[kevinsc]

Hi beamishken
The transom seems to be good condition. Glad I'm heading in the right direction.
Thank you for the help.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Manage to get the templates cut for the holes in the transom and started to sand the transom bit of a boring job, but hoping the sanding is coming to an end.
Cheers Kevin

[A1an]

Looking good.

[kevinsc]

Getting there got all the the ply cut for the transom just need to sand down the high spots on the inside of the transom before sticking it all together. More sanding [emoji24].
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Started to glue the transom together, I keyed the ply with 36 grit paper and put 2 layers of 300g CSM and clamped together. Hope I haven't forgot anything [emoji1696].
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Trimmed off the excess fibreglass and I think the ply and fibreglass has gone well.
It has taken me all day to sand the back of the transom( didn't realise it would taken that long). There was alot of filler to hide the transom insert but there wasn't any fibreglass over it.
My next question is I'm and going to be hopefully putting a 300hp outboard on the back, should I remove the insert as that should be the right height for a XL shaft?
Sorry for all the questions just making sure I do it right
Cheers Kevin

[whiskylee]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi all
Trimmed off the excess fibreglass and I think the ply and fibreglass has gone well.
It has taken me all day to sand the back of the transom( didn't realise it would taken that long). There was alot of filler to hide the transom insert but there wasn't any fibreglass over it.
My next question is I'm and going to be hopefully putting a 300hp outboard on the back, should I remove the insert as that should be the right height for a XL shaft?
Sorry for all the questions just making sure I do it right
Cheers Kevin Attachment 143902Attachment 143903

XL shaft needs a minimum 25 inch Transom

[kevinsc]

Hi whiskeylee
From the bottom of the transom to the flat section of the cut out measures 26 inches from memory, but will check in morning to make sure.
Cheers Kevin

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi whiskeylee
From the bottom of the transom to the flat section of the cut out measures 26 inches from memory, but will check in morning to make sure.
Cheers Kevin

That will be perfect for a xl shaft looks like its coming along nicely

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Checked the transom and it's from the bottom to the flat bit of the insert 26inches so at the correct height, once I resin the extra ply on to the transom I will then cut out for the outboard. Then fibreglass it all in.
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

That will be perfect for a xl shaft looks like its coming along nicely

I'm hoping that's me going into the rebuild stage[emoji1696].
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Clean up the sides of the ply and started to flattened out the high spots on the inside of the transom. Manage to get ply quite flat against the transom apart from the middle bit which has got a gap but all-round it is against the transom. When my f clamps arrive I will be able to get the 2 layers of CSM down and then some thicken resin with fibreglass in it (peanut butter), to stick the ply on and clamp it all up. Hopefully
Thank you for the help
Cheers Kevin Attachment 143905Attachment 143906

[kevinsc]

Forgot to themAttachment 143908