F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Hi

I picked up the F-Rib 360 Yesterday. Steve was really helpful :-)

I've only taking it up and down the river one, 25mins in each direction meaning I've not had a really good test yet.

- The build quality of the boat looks good
- The launch wheels are really good, much better than I expected http://foldablerib.com/product/launch-wheels/
- The Bench seat cushion and bag set is pretty good http://foldablerib.com/product/bench-seat-cushion-2/

I found when I go over a wake, the fibre glass makes a cracking sound which I assume is the joins. I imagine when the boat is planning it won't do it.

I have a feeling the hull is going to chip really easily. I have this chip.
You will see on the photos, the join between the first two sections is quite tight. The join on the last two sections don't sit together quite a good. This is the same before I stuck tape on.

Chip in join by James Batt, on Flickr

I saw on the forum one member was going to take the edges. I have given that ago, but I don't think it will last.

Rear Join by James Batt, on Flickr

Anyway. I set her up in the garden.

Hull by James Batt, on Flickr

Rear by James Batt, on Flickr

Inside by James Batt, on Flickr

Front View by James Batt, on Flickr

Back Left by James Batt, on Flickr

Back Right by James Batt, on Flickr

Front Join by James Batt, on Flickr

Calibra

Not a great start mate taking a 'lump' out of the hull on a new boat
You'll be wanting to repair/seal that area asap before any water penetrates the composite
How did it happen

Paul

Hi

No idea on how it happened.
I also have an air bubble in the fibre glass around the same area but not on the join.
I've ordered a hull repair kit and will fix both areas tomorrow. Shouldn't take long

I'll hopefully be out on the water by Wednesday for a proper test

James

I also have an air bubble in the fibre glass around the same area

Is this normal for fibre glass hulls?

I use to do a lot of fibre glassing with car body kits back in the say.
I've only seen a few air bubbles on the top coat.

Won't take much to sort it out while I do the chip

You need to report this back to Steve before you carry out any work.

Phil

Eeeeek
I'd be gutted if that was mine, as Phil says.. I'd probably double check with Mr F-Rib before repairing it, you don't want to throw your warranty away surely ?

Hope you get it sorted and get back out again soon

Sorry for the late reply. I reported it to Steve and he said it's OK to repair as it won't affect the warranty.
Fixing chips is part of maintenance.

Anyway, I fixed them and everything is all good. If I matched up the Grey 100%, no one would even know there was some chips there.

Excellent news Calibra, I wonder if you could get some sort of a rubbing strake to protect it from damage again

I am looking for a solution.

I got some of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/32-SQ-FT-EVA- ... 0957074541 which I put on the floor while building and taking the boat apart.

What I would like to do is put a strip of rubber on the front "V" so I can pull right up to the slip way before getting out without scratch the hull.