Ribtec Deck Drain

J1mbo · 24 June 2009, 00:11

I have just made the jump into Rib ownership with a Ribtec Freeway from approx. 1999.

The Deck Drain seems to have been modified by the previous owner with a pipe going into a diversion valve. With the valve switched one way it lets the deck drain out the back, but this doesn't work when in the water, when the valve is switched the other way the water comes out of the valve into the rear locker.

I would appreciate any advice that may be available regarding how the deck would have originally drained and to where, so that I may return it to the original setup.

jyasaki · 24 June 2009, 16:26

I'm not sure, but I would guess that there used to be two drains: one for the deck and one for wherever that valve thingie diverts water to.

When you say the deck drain doesn't work in the water, is that while at rest? Or while moving? Usually, you need to be on plane (or nearly on plane) for the self-draining stuff to self-drain. That assumes it was fitted with a trunk; some boats simply use plugs, and have no drains for underway conditions.

Someone more familiar with your boat can give better advice.

jky

chewy · 24 June 2009, 17:08

Have you got any more photos from further back?
Where does the inboard pipe go too?

J1mbo · 24 June 2009, 22:23

I do appreciate you taking the time to help me with this. I have attached some more pictures as requested.

I have attached a picture from outside the rear locker showing the deck drain and the pipe that goes from the deck drain to the valve.

I have also attached a close up picture of the valve, showing the pipe coming from the deck drain at the bottom, the pipe that goes out of the boat at the top and the open side which will put the water into the rear locker. It seems that turned one way, the valve will let the water out of the rear of the boat (but only if the boat is out of the water), turned the other way the valve lets the water out of the left hand side of the valve into the rear locker.

I have also attached a picture showing the exit point at the rear of the boat.

Thanks again for your help.

Powerboats · 24 June 2009, 22:55

From what I can see you don't have a deck drain - you have a deck which drains into the bilge, which will drain from the hull if it is out of the water.

If you want to be able to drain the deck afloat you either need to create a drain from the deck with an outlet above the waterline, or fit a bilge pump to transfer the water from the bilge after draining from the deck.

The former would be preferable but would rely on the lowest point of the moulded deck being higher than the waterline.

Ribshop · 25 June 2009, 07:45

Hi J1mbo

The boat you have is the Ribtec Freeway, the original idea was to have a self draining deck, unfortunately the deck is under the waterline so this will never be achieved. The plan was then to fit a one way flap in the transom and a one way ping pong ball deck drain in the deck to hole the water back still allowing the water out when the boat when it was moving, this did not work and the boats still sank. The fail safe was then to install a shut off valve in line between the deck and the transom. This could then be closed when the boat was on a mooring to stop the boat from sinking and be opened when in use to stop you getting wet feet. However the valve you have fitted is not the original and looks like a two way switch over valve that is not necessary. Either use it a shut off valve and not as a switch over or replace it.

Hope this helps.