Ribtec 725 refurbishment

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Been on forum for a bit in the back ground reading about everybody's rib rebuilds, so I thought I would share my first rib refurbishment for a round britian challenge. I bought a ribtec 725 250hp mercuiser inboard diesel with a bravo 2 diesel sterndrive, the rib was on a thread on ribnet in may 2015. The rib requires a bit of work and upgrading new tubes, bit of deck work electronics upgrade.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

More pics

[paulbrown22]

Lovely looking boat - I miss my 9m diesel Ribtec!

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

Lovely looking boat - I miss my 9m diesel Ribtec!

I'm happy with it, but it needs alot of tlc, not sure if to convert it to a 300hp outboard.
Cheers Kevin

[paulbrown22]

I guess that depends on the engine/outdrive condition. Personally I loved the balance of my 9m with the Yanmar inboard, and it would go through just about anything in such a confident manner. In the ~10 years I had it I did have to refurb the turbo, did some work on the Bravo drive, etc., but on the whole was super reliable for me. If there was major work needed on the engine or outdrive though, possible more economical to convert to outboard, although that would require a certain amount of transom work too I suspect.

Definitely worth checking underneath the deck - Ribtec saved £20 by not sealing the underside, and mine was pretty soft in a few places and I had it completely replaced.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

I guess that depends on the engine/outdrive condition. Personally I loved the balance of my 9m with the Yanmar inboard, and it would go through just about anything in such a confident manner. In the ~10 years I had it I did have to refurb the turbo, did some work on the Bravo drive, etc., but on the whole was super reliable for me. If there was major work needed on the engine or outdrive though, possible more economical to convert to outboard, although that would require a certain amount of transom work too I suspect.



Definitely worth checking underneath the deck - Ribtec saved £20 by not sealing the underside, and mine was pretty soft in a few places and I had it completely replaced.

Hi Paul
I'm not sure on the mercuiser 250hp d-tonic it had a top engine rebuild a couple of years ago and not sure how reliable they are , the outdrive hasn't been touched for a while.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Had a few hours today before work and removed the tubes. Can see that the front locker area has soft wood and the rest of the floor seems to be fibreglassed on the underside and ok.
Cheers Kevin

[fastasfox]

Nice project.
You say the floor is soft in the front locker but the rest seem ok how sure are you? I think I would need to know for sure. Do you have any access to the stringers through a hatch etc? As you probably know the tubes are expensive so for peice mind you could do with being sure.
Good luck with your build...keep us all posted.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by fastasfox

Nice project.
You say the floor is soft in the front locker but the rest seem ok how sure are you? I think I would need to know for sure. Do you have any access to the stringers through a hatch etc? As you probably know the tubes are expensive so for peice mind you could do with being sure.
Good luck with your build...keep us all posted.

Cheers hope you like the project. Not a 100% sure about the floor I have checked It in parts from where I can get access but might need to check further when got the front deck open.the first to pics are of the front locker and the rest are about the middle of the rib. Been quoted by tilley inflatables about £7800 for the tubes which is a long way from Edinburgh round trip just under 1000miles.

[kevinsc]

One thing not sure about is the 250hp mercruicer inboard engine and mercruicer bravo 2 diesel outdrive, can anyone tell me how reliable they are and how much are they're worth if I sale them. The engine has had a top end rebuild about 3 years ago and is in good working order, the outdrive goes into forward and reverse but don't know much about it and will need a full service. If anyone can tell me abeit about them that would be great or is it better to change it.
Cheers Kevin

[Iankristy]

Nice project. For the tubes have you considered Ferry Marine in Livingston? Save you a ton of miles/ expense and a pretty good reputation. Tilly’s clearly excellent as well but good to have options.

[fastasfox]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

One thing not sure about is the 250hp mercruicer inboard engine and mercruicer bravo 2 diesel outdrive, can anyone tell me how reliable they are and how much are they're worth if I sale them. The engine has had a top end rebuild about 3 years ago and is in good working order, the outdrive goes into forward and reverse but don't know much about it and will need a full service. If anyone can tell me abeit about them that would be great or is it better to change it.
Cheers Kevin

They are popular in speedboats and the like but less so on ribs. One thing for sure is the sale of said engine won't generate enough money to cover the cost of the outboard/outboards you will replace it with.There is a trend towards Outboards especially in the American Markets.
By all accounts they are reliable as long as they have been looked after.,so new tubes then give it season and see how it proves its self.,but If that hull as suspected needs work, then that would be your opportunity to do that work and go for the conversion.
You my start looking at the cost of all the work and freak out.....but just look at the cost of a new 8 meter these day's and if you do finish it you will have a well sorted rib.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by Iankristy

Nice project. For the tubes have you considered Ferry Marine in Livingston? Save you a ton of miles/ expense and a pretty good reputation. Tilly’s clearly excellent as well but good to have options.

Hi lankrisky
I phoned ferry marine but the guy who did the retubes has retired, so they're not doing them at the moment.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by fastasfox

They are popular in speedboats and the like but less so on ribs. One thing for sure is the sale of said engine won't generate enough money to cover the cost of the outboard/outboards you will replace it with.There is a trend towards Outboards especially in the American Markets.

By all accounts they are reliable as long as they have been looked after.,so new tubes then give it season and see how it proves its self.,but If that hull as suspected needs work, then that would be your opportunity to do that work and go for the conversion.

You my start looking at the cost of all the work and freak out.....but just look at the cost of a new 8 meter these day's and if you do finish it you will have a well sorted rib.

Hi fastasfox
I thought I would sell the inboard and put money towards an outboard. The plan is to sort the rib out and retube about November time, giving me a year ish to sort the deck out and paint it.
Cheers Kevin

[A1an]

Good luck with it. It looks a great project

[Iankristy]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi lankrisky
I phoned ferry marine but the guy who did the retubes has retired, so they're not doing them at the moment.
Cheers Kevin

Ah that’s a shame they were good and would have saved a long trip!

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by kevinsc

Hi lankrisky
I phoned ferry marine but the guy who did the retubes has retired, so they're not doing them at the moment.
Cheers Kevin

The most northerly tube manufacturers would be Dave Cowal at north west ribs and inflatables in Chorley or Rib retubes /xs ribs in hull, anyone else doing tubes north of those two will be fitting tubes made by another manufacturer. Personally for warranty simplicity I'd want the person making the tubes to also be the person fitting the tubes. Dave Cowal would be my first call.

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by beamishken

The most northerly tube manufacturers would be Dave Cowal at north west ribs and inflatables in Chorley or Rib retubes /xs ribs in hull, anyone else doing tubes north of those two will be fitting tubes made by another manufacturer. Personally for warranty simplicity I'd want the person making the tubes to also be the person fitting the tubes. Dave Cowal would be my first call.

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

+1 for Dave Cowal[emoji106]
Ball park (pre-covid) figures for a retube, £1k/metre of boat. So around £8k. This is general market price, not specific to Dave C.

[kevinsc]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

+1 for Dave Cowal[emoji106]
Ball park (pre-covid) figures for a retube, £1k/metre of boat. So around £8k. This is general market price, not specific to Dave C.

Hi Dave
I will give Dave c a call and it helps being closer. Tilley inflatables quoted me £7800 including vat but got a bit of work to do first.
Cheers Kevin

[kevinsc]

Hi all
Got a bit of time today to take the seats off and start untangle the electrical mess under the console so I can remove it.
Cheers Kevin