What RIB is this? One for the experts....

ribfreak · 18 April 2004, 07:33

Hello guys,
Here`s something for a little brain-work after your Sunday-hop-out with your toys:
I`ve been offered this (a little bit battered) boat for sale and would like to know if somebody has any idea of what company made it? The boat has been used as a fast ride for a diving club and nobody really cared about it.... The divers got it that way from a norwegian offshore-company so the prolonguement with that odd aluminium-box at the stern must have been done by the previous owner? Looks like they`ve prolongued the tubes as well! The motor is a MARINER Magnum 2.5l 150hp EFI, fully serviced and in excellent condition, the trailer is part of the deal as well. Some questions:

- Who made it?
- When was it made?
- What`s it worth?

How do I restore the tubes because they look pretty bad- is there soembody in the UK who makes aftermarket-tubes?
I`m hegotiating with these guys somewhere around 6000,- UKpounds- is that too much? Any tips would be highly appreciated,

Wolfgang

Cookee · 18 April 2004, 08:43

Wolfgang - can't help you with what it is but go here http://www.tidel.biz/ for help with new tubes!

Pete7 · 18 April 2004, 09:56

Wolfgang, not idea what it is, best guess, an early Watercraft who made odd ribs for the commerical market although seem to have disappeared lately. Do you know what length it is? You could try Tony Lee-Elliot on hot Ribs, been around since the dawn of ribbing so he might know or might even be one of his (Flatacraft). Kein Goulding the Webmaster for Hot ribs is another who might know.

http://www.hotribs.com/

The ali extension is intriguing, you must bring that along to Ribex in June would love to have a good look at it. Does the Ali exactly match the GRP hull underneath ?

Set of new tubes will be about £3000 in the UK, Eurocraft, Henshaws, or even Ribraff who regularly posts on here.

Yes I would pay £6k for the engine, hull and trailer.

Pete

Andre · 18 April 2004, 13:10

Looks like an earlier 7.50 Rapier but could be mistaken. Can you take a picture of the bow ie the Nose / hull

Andre

Manos · 18 April 2004, 13:20

Crompton may be??
Look @ the image it has similar bow

Andre · 18 April 2004, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manos

Crompton may be??
Look @ the image it has similar bow

Manos

nothing like it

Andre

Manos · 18 April 2004, 14:12

OK Andre not that similar

Christopher · 18 April 2004, 19:07

It would appear to me that it is a Watercraft RI22, but with some alterations. Watercraft used to make a whole series of Commerciasl RIB,s with the RI5, RI22 and RI28, but stopped production about 9 years ago. They were designed by David Still. They are still in business trading as UMOE Schat Harding in Portsmouth but as a servicing company to the offshore oil industry.
Replacement tubes can be made and we hold templates for all models.I would be pleased to supply any details you require including price for new tubes

www.henshaw.co.uk

ribfreak · 18 April 2004, 19:41

hello,

me again- I`m completly astonished of the amount of nice answers on my thread just posted this morning! I`ve been up to the north now and had a closer look at the boat personally- sure looks like work but also sure looks like having some fun bringing her out to sea..... here`s some facts: No builder`s plate or hull number or, or, or whatsoever. The owner told me that the previous owner installed the aluminium-extension to match with the Magnum- before that the boat was rigged with twin outboards but he did not know what brand nor the hp of these motors..... This extension matches the underwater- shape of the hull! The hull is what I`d call rock-solid, almost broke my fingers while banging around on it. I`m not experienced with pro-boats at all yet and that`s why I`m so impressed! The boat weighs almost 1.000kg fully equipped- is that normal? It has a 200 litre fuel-tank below the foredeck and the motor alone weighs a good 230kg so my guess would be that the total weight is ok? The tubes are really worn down, but only 1 of the total 8 chambers is actually leaking air- not too bad, isn`t it?
I finally bought the complete rig for five and a half, now I`m into it, dead or alive ;-) I just had to do because this boat is so much different from what I`ve had and driven so far and things like that are almost never offered over here in Germany! I wanted a boat for going out when others are already coming in again- maybe this is the one?
First thing I`ll do is to fix up the trailer completly because I have to renew the street-legal batch. After that I`ll clean the boat totally and then I`ll ride her. When she proves to be the boat I`ve always wanted I`ll take steps to either rework the old tubes or maybe get some new ones, we`ll see. I`ll keep you guys informed and willl nonetheless be happy about more comments and suggestions about my new baby......
greetings,
Wolfgang

ribfreak · 18 April 2004, 20:07

here are some more pictures thatI`ve taken this afternoon- might give you some further hints and will show you clearly what an enormous amount of work I´ve put on my small and fragile shoulders......

Wolfgang

ribfreak · 18 April 2004, 20:08

another pair and then that`s it or the webmaster will get mad with me....

Manos · 18 April 2004, 21:09

...and what is the reason you have blancked out the persons face that stands by the RIB?? Is he a VIP??

Pete7 · 18 April 2004, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribfreak

another pair and then that`s it or the webmaster will get mad with me....

Wolfgang, no way, this is just the sort of thing we want, especially if you are able to post pics of her in six months time with new tubes and the boat well sorted. Watercraft were expensive ribs in there day which is why the diver fraternity never bought them and there are not many about. (they bought BWM instead).

At least she has a decent size fuel tank for cross channel jaunts.

Good luck with the project, looks a good buy.

Pete

John Kennett · 18 April 2004, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribfreak

another pair and then that`s it or the webmaster will get mad with me....

That's no problem. Interesting and relevant pictures are always welcome

John

Pete7 · 18 April 2004, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

That's no problem. Interesting and relevant pictures are always welcome

John

Manos banned then John ?

Sorry

Pete

ribfreak · 20 April 2004, 21:24

Hi,

I`ve made some inquiries now which were inspired by some answers I got here- but unfortunatly my RIB here is not a watercraft- so the problem is still unsolved.... I would already be glad if somebody knew something about "norvik rescue" whatever that is? I f we could find out this, I could go on doing some detective work on that trail?

greetings,
Wolfgang

John Kennett · 20 April 2004, 21:32

Let's have some more pictures then!

Can you post a shot of the boat from the side?

John

ribfreak · 20 April 2004, 22:56

Hi John,

unfortunatly I don`t have a good side-shot because the boat was stored in a very narrow space.... I`ll get it down to here at the beginning of may, I`ll post some better pictures then!

greetings,
Wolfgang

Rogue Wave · 20 April 2004, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribfreak

Hi John,

unfortunatly I don`t have a good side-shot because the boat was stored in a very narrow space.... I`ll get it down to here at the beginning of may, I`ll post some better pictures then!

greetings,
Wolfgang

if with new tubes the boat comes to 10 k in all then that's a good deal In my ever so humble opinion. Does the Ali extension have storage compartments?

Manos · 21 April 2004, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Manos banned then John ?

Pete

You couldn't resist it. I wouldn't either