New boat project, War Daddy

[Blackmagic94]

End up with this

Ex USMC 2002 Zodiac Hurricane 7 meter Rhib with twin 2011 Mercury Optimax 150hp 2 strokes with 380 and 420 hours


Gonna change up the seating and make it have 3 rows probably of leaning posts off a center console, install some new horn kicker 8”s, simrad 9” chart plotter to be a vessel view to ditch the mercury steam tach and Speedo etc.

It does have a full radar and charter plotter. A ASC remote spot light etc.


Couple questions

Where can I source new replacement zodiac chamber valves

What psi should they be set too? Drained when not in use im told

On the mercs, will gauge cam bus signals will I see on simrad? Coolant temp, water psi, tach, volts?

What props should I install. Has merc alum 16p, I was thinking enertia eco 19-20s

 

[Blackmagic94]

 

[Blackmagic94]

 

[monkeyswrench]

Is the mount for a belt fed an option?

 

[Blackmagic94]

Is the mount for a belt fed an option?

I think so and to also tie off rigging maybe

 

[Tank]

That thing is bad ass. That’s gonna be a blast to run around the lake and river on!!

 

[Blackmagic94]

Seat rows 1-2 are now installed. Seats INC military suspension seats that are spring and shock powered mounted to alum tool boxes for storage as well

 

[Blackmagic94]

Also found out some cool news. The entire boat was refurbished in 2011


2011 merc engines
2011 wings tubes
2011 radar and chart plotter
2011 shore’ldr alum trailer

 

[dread Pirate]

Badass!

Wing is located up here in Arcata and I know someone who works there. Not sure that's helpful, but worth mentioning perhaps?

 

[Taboma]

Where's the Ahhhh Shit handles for the two rear seats ?? Seat there and bounding over the waves held down by gravity alone, could prove tricky

Very Cool !!!!!!!!!

 

[Blackmagic94]

Where's the Ahhhh Shit handles for the two rear seats ?? Seat there and bounding over the waves held down by gravity alone, could prove tricky

Very Cool !!!!!!!!!

Third bench will be same seats as the others

 

[TBulger]

Now that is cool.

 

[Luvnlife]

I’d rock it

 

[17 10 Flat]

I'm digging the H2...

 

[Blackmagic94]

I'm digging the H2...

M1165 Hmmwv. H2 is for recreational ghetto pharmacists.

 

[Taboma]

Third bench will be same seats as the others

Asking what there is to hang on to while perched in those suspension seats ? The various inflatables and RIBs I've owned in the ocean required a grab handle or two.

 

[17 10 Flat]

M1165 Hmmwv. H2 is for recreational ghetto pharmacists.

My bad I meant the H 1, did a little off roading back in the day about 40-50 mph trees 2-3 inch diameter right over. Wasn't mine belonged to the government....

 

[Blackmagic94]

Asking what there is to hang on to while perched in those suspension seats ? The various inflatables and RIBs I've owned in the ocean required a grab handle or two.

Going to have arm rests bent up and bolted to outside of each seat to provide a grab handle, support and a cup holder so the beer will get shocks too

 

[jetboatperformance]

Will it have seat belts ? and warning buzzers ? Inquiring minds want to know

 

[Blackmagic94]

Asking what there is to hang on to while perched in those suspension seats ? The various inflatables and RIBs I've owned in the ocean required a grab handle or two.

What kind of rbids did you have. More insight to driving one and owning one would be great

 

[Blackmagic94]

So Simrad cruise 9 to install to replace all tachs and speedo on a new panel that I will be cutting up along with new throttle controls. Will lake test before I do the panel though.



Also naming the boat

War Daddy

 

[Taboma]

What kind of rbids did you have. More insight to driving one and owning one would be great

What kind of rbids did you have. More insight to driving one and owning one would be great

Babies compared to yours. Started 11'6", with 8HP Mariner, then 12' RIB with 25HP Mariner, and I should have stopped there. Mine had to serve double duty as my fun little coastal San Diego fishing boat, which I fished as far out as about 15 miles, but also had to mount on the big boat for offshore fishing and our Catalina Vacations.
Finally I got a deal on a 14' Zodiac RIB with a 50HP and it was to large and to heavy to put onboard, so now I was towing it to Catalina and forgoing it entirely for a life raft when out game fishing.
Anyway, none were even remotely in your boat's size and power league, mine required some weight shifting and more hands to hold on then God provided as conditions warranted, not going to be your problem.
One experience in a Zodiac Furtura Mk II we rented on Maui, we got caught in a nasty wind returning from diving at the Molokai Volcano, had the wind catch the tunnel of the Futura hull and lift us straight skyward --- whoa baby. Finally my wife had to steer and I became bow ballast.
When we pulled into the small boat harbor, all the locals who'd been watching struggle against the waves and wind slowly beating our way to shore, stood up and cheered --- what a hoot.
In truth, having owned a vast variety of boats since my first in 1965 of all sizes and types, some of the most fondly recalled most memorable adventures my wife and I shared were in one of our inflatables.
Hell one day the fog caught us off La Jolla, we slowly worked our way until I could just about shake hands with the surfers on Mission Beach, then paralleled the beach until we found the Mission Bay Jetty --- turned, ran up along the jetty, then turned the corner heading in and as the fog lifted we realized we had about five cruisers following us in, I guess with the orange hull they thought were a Life Guard boat.
Yours is off the charts cool, should be a real hoot especially in it's native ocean environment. As I'm sure you realize, the tubes are your Achilles longevity heal, keep it covered or out of the sun as much as is reasonably possible.
Although I'm sure your tubes are far thicker than any of mine. I'm envious, looks like some serious fun ahead.

 

[TonyFanelli]

That thing is bad ass. That’s gonna be a blast to run around the lake and river on!!

Take er down to the Rio Grande!!

 

[C-Ya]

Seat rows 1-2 are now installed. Seats INC military suspension seats that are spring and shock powered mounted to alum tool boxes for storage as well
View attachment 1343293 View attachment 1343296

It’s going to need those suspension seats, since the console is so far forward.

You will take less of a pounding if you move the console back a few feet. Just an observation.

Overall tho, looks like a great deal. Lots of options. Fun project!

 

[hallett21]

I was gonna ask if moving the console back was feasible. Badass project either way.

 

[Blackmagic94]

It’s going to need those suspension seats, since the console is so far forward.

You will take less of a pounding if you move the console back a few feet. Just an observation.

Overall tho, looks like a great deal. Lots of options. Fun project!

I already moved the console back 13” from where it was. Not enough cable to go back anymore

My seat is now about middle of the vessel.

 

[Blackmagic94]

This shows where it was moved rearward too vs before.

 

[hallett21]

This shows where it was moved reward too vs before. View attachment 1343450

What’s the deal with the trailer? Is that tongue tire meant for beach launches?

 

[Blackmagic94]

What’s the deal with the trailer? Is that tongue tire meant for beach launches?

Already fixed it. Was a spring issue

 

[hallett21]

Already fixed it. Was a spring issue

Is it just a spare?

 

[monkeyswrench]

On a RIB like this, does it carry an on board compressor? I read above that they aren't to be transported inflated, and the military gear tends to be ready quick. Didn't know if they'd set them up hard plumbed to a compressor, or maybe have a nitrogen or compressed air tank in a rack, ready to go.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

My buddy has owned a few RIBs and current one is 18ft with a suzuki 115 we use it to fish and we have a bait tank and a fish box on it. So two things I would say are dialing in the trim can take some work with weight distribution and second is keep it out of sunlight as the UV Rays in sunny climates can greatly shorten the life of the vessel. My buddy looked into the cost of pontoon replacement and it wasn't cost effective so he dumped his last boat and got another.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

On a RIB like this, does it carry an on board compressor? I read above that they aren't to be transported inflated, and the military gear tends to be ready quick. Didn't know if they'd set them up hard plumbed to a compressor, or maybe have a nitrogen or compressed air tank in a rack, ready to go.

we always used a foot pump to top off the air while heading out of the harbor. Takes 5 minutes or so as you have several chambers i think 3 or 4.

 

[Blackmagic94]

we always used a foot pump to top off the air while heading out of the harbor. Takes 5 minutes or so as you have several chambers i think 3 or 4.

This has 5

 

[Blackmagic94]

On a RIB like this, does it carry an on board compressor? I read above that they aren't to be transported inflated, and the military gear tends to be ready quick. Didn't know if they'd set them up hard plumbed to a compressor, or maybe have a nitrogen or compressed air tank in a rack, ready to go.

It takes a few minutes to inflate all 5 chambers with an air compressor set to a min of 90 psi. The chambers need 3.60 psi but they hold a lot of volume.


I leave them deflated to prevent air ruptures for storage. I was told that was important. Not sure if true.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Pic of the bow with console moved and bolted back 13”. You can see the old sea deck was cut to where it once was

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Help my memory.... weren't you working on an old Cig somewheres in PNW?

 

[poncho]

That is going to be the coolest boat. Every time your in it pretend you and your Buddies are remaking Red Dawn.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Help my memory.... weren't you working on an old Cig somewheres in PNW?

I have a cig. Az though

 

[FreeBird236]

I mentioned this once before, but it has aways stuck with me. In an interview with John Tomlison, who has probably driven just about as many performance boats as anyone, he said, if I could only have one boat it would be a RIB.

 

[Jay Dub]

View attachment 1343435 View attachment 1343436 View attachment 1343437 So Simrad cruise 9 to install to replace all tachs and speedo on a new panel that I will be cutting up along with new throttle controls. Will lake test before I do the panel though.



Also naming the boat

War Daddy

looks like a really fun boat! enjoy

 

[TomD]

Is the mount for a belt fed an option?

Those are future dancing pole mounts!! LOL

 

[Blackmagic94]

I mentioned this once before, but it has aways stuck with me. In an interview with John Tomlison, who has probably driven just about as many performance boats as anyone, he said, if I could only have one boat it would be a RIB.

What is the reason

 

[FreeBird236]

What is the reason

It's been a while, back in the old Powerboat days. Basically, he just said it was versatile and very fun to drive. It was an interview about his racing and testing prowess, so there was no in-depth information on the RIBs themselves, just that statement.

 

[Blackmagic94]

The sun shade frame that the previous owned built. I’m going to change some things in it

 

[Blackmagic94]

Fusion head unit
Mb quart 100x2 channel amp
Kicker 8inch speaker x2

New sea star helm installed. Rebuilt and one ram so steering works

Installed two mercury vengence 3 blade stainless props in 19p vs old alum 4 blade 16p

 

[Blackmagic94]

Roof mocked up. Now time to install rubber seals and then coat in matching raptor liner as rest of boat.

 

[Blackmagic94]

Also installed new
dual controls
Fusion radio with amp and kickers
New 3800 gph bilge pump
New oil tank for port motor
New inline oil filters
New spark plugs
Cut the rear seat frame down and mounted rear seats

Still waiting for inflatable paint to resurface the tubes

Still need to install nav lights on roof
Order a marine radio. Maybe with AIS

Install new dash panel with Simrad and ditch most of the steam gauges.

Recover seats to marine rated vinyl

Install seadek

 

[DUN]

This thing is gonna be rad

 

[RiverDave]

What is the reason

He was talking about an "airship" which is a type of rib.. They are fun as shit to drive and run incredibly well in rough water from what I've been told. My buddy Bubba that owns "Warparty" skaters and CC's has one now and won't trade it for the world.. Several other people of that pedigree have them and swear by them as well.

RD