F-RIB 360 bits and bobs

[Ads83]

Hello all

Put my F-RIB 360 on the water today with my Mariner 2T 25HP for the first time since receiving it. Big smiles all round.
Couldn't have a proper play as took the wife and 2yo son out with me.
Few questions if anyone can answer them-
1- Has anybody resolved the sliding thwart seat issue? Any one been brave enough to drill a hole through the rail and insert a pin to stop it sliding? Thoughts on using mini g clamps?
2- the bolts on my out board aren't quite long enough so need to build up the transom plate thickness, is a nylon/plastic kitchen chopping board, cut to size and glued (areldite?) on best?
3- Are these wheels any good? Will they fit the F-RIB 360? Steve doesn't have any in stock and am being very impatient, slap on wrist to self! http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/170871497639?_mwBanner=1
4- What are the small holes for internally on the hull near the folds? When lifted to drain water after use it seemed as though loads of water was coming out of them. How and where did I fill them up so much?
Very happy with my purchase, just need a few small mods

Edit.
Link fixed by Moderator

[Martin]

Hiya Ads83 and welcome aboard.
Somebody with an f-rib will hopefully answer your questions shortly.
In the mean time if you'd be good enough to visit the "introduce yourself section" whilst you await answers, we'd be very grateful. It helps members know who you are and where your from, this in turn often promotes local members to help each other and sometimes meet up for boating events.
I've opened a page for you here
http://f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=324

Regards,
Martin

[Paul]

Hi Ads83 and welcome to F-Ribs and Sibs

When you get a chance please pop into the Introduce yourself section we're a friendly bunch....honest

As per your questions in order:
1- Yes I think I have an answer but hoping to prove my idea works at the weekend
I didn't fancy drilling, clamping or damaging the PVC channel in any way so I've fixed self adhesive rubber 'buffers' to the underside of the seat. The seat is still easy to fit and slide up and down the channel as long as you keep the seat lifted. Once the seat is lowered and sat on the buffers de-form the channel and should lock.
The idea seems to work in my garage but I've yet to try it on the water. If it doesn't I'll just fit the next size up and so on or reposition their location until it hopefully works
The buffers are those used on cupboard doors and chair legs. Any DIY store sells them for a few quid.

Buffers

Here's some larger 'buffers' ready to try out

Large Buffers

2- Philpot is your man for this as he had the same problem. Don't go glueing anything as his is a nice neat job. Mine was ok, so it's down to the outboard you're using it seems

3- I've clicked your link but it doesn't show the wheels. I did a thread about launch wheels and there's a few things to consider before getting the drill out so have a read here http://www.f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=234

4- Haven't noticed that on mine, can't comment on Philpot's Were you hooning it about taking on lots of water over the tubes was water coming out of both the cross beams how much water would you say

Glad you are happy with it and yup they do shift
I've got a few other mods if you're interested.....I could do some new threads if other folks want

Paul

[Martin]

We always want informative threads Paul

[Ads83]

Thanks for the quick responses all, will get on the 'introduce yourself' page shortly.
Paul, would be great to hear how you get on with the rubber bungs.
Here's the link for the wheels again, I took the link from inside the page so hence didn't show the photos http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Large-Boa ... 0871497639
Paul, definitely keen to hear about your other mods.
I did see on a Russian demo video, a box which slid onto 'one' tube rail, roughly about 40cmx40cm and curved to the shape of the tube, they were able to mount a handheld plotter/gps/fishfinder and obviously inside was storage space. Having done a search can't find any for sale so am I right in thinking this is a home made accessorie?
The water issue, no I wasn't hooning it about, absolutely no water came in over the top of the tubes? Hence why I was puzzled as to how it got there. I would guesstimate between 500ml-1l of water come out of the holes. So assuming this means there is a void space? But the hull isn't double skinned? Just wonder what the actual purpose of the holes are and why they were drilled in the first place? Will keep an eye on it!
Cheers
Adam

[Paul]

Adam

Sorry for the delay but I've struggled to find my receipt for the wheels I have fitted to mine

Got Mine from Auto Marine Cumbria for £100 posted, here's a pic

F-Rib 360 Transom Wheels

The ones you've posted look similar (poor image) but are longer than mine and with larger wheels.
They may work but ensure you can return them if they don't reference my thread as I tried 3 sets
I'm sure you've the know how but for others reading this in the future, support your boat on some milk crates or the like and mount your outboard and then try positioning the launching wheels.
Make sure the wheels don't fowl the engine casing lock to lock, the tyres don't fowl the transom webbing when they're up and you've got clearance of the hull when the wheels are down before drilling your new boat
Adam, hope all goes well, they do the job and please report back for other owners in the future

Paul

[philpot]

Hi ads83

Here is a link to the work I did on my 330 which may help you.
http://www.f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=220


The seat can be a pain in the arse but on a couple of occasions I have used some rubber wedges to stop them moving. I cant tell you where I got them from as they have been in the garage for years but only about an inch in length but perhaps builders spacer blocks would do and quite cheap.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/broadfix-asso ... -set/99189

To be honest a piece of shaped plastic or wood will do the job. I don't think I will drill through the seat, I have no objection to drilling holes, just think there are other ways and they will give more seat position availability than a drilled and pinned set up.

I can't say I have noticed much water in between the folds but mine is the 330 so possibly different. Forget the holes in the GRP as they are part of the molding process.

Hope that helps a little

Oh by the way-----------------------------welcome aboard

Phil

[Ads83]

Hi Phil, I used your method of cutting a vinyl plastic chopping board as an extra spacer for my Mariner outboard, great solution thanks!
Paul, any luck with your rubber bungs?
Has anyone drilled any hard-eyes into the transom, tempted to put one either side of the outboard to use as a towing for toys like a ringo. The kids and workmates who love the FRIB have expressed an interest in toys.
Cheers

[philpot]

Never used toys as mine is for fishing and some family trips down the river. You should be able to pull a toy as long as the outboard is big enough to handle the extra payload.

Phil

[Paul]

Paul, any luck with your rubber bungs?

Out on the boat tomorrow so I'll report back my findings

Has anyone drilled any hard-eyes into the transom, tempted to put one either side of the outboard to use as a towing for toys like a ringo. The kids and workmates who love the FRIB have expressed an interest in toys.
Cheers

Yup, here's the position fitted to my 360

Towing eyes fitted to my 360

Paul