Ringcat 22

[Andy C]

The fuel tank is in the rear of the boat under a padded hatch. Although I was not initially going to change this I thought whilst I was doing the job I may as well do it all.
So the old tank was removed.

There was bit of a mess in the back where a large bottle of 2 stroke had spilt. This took some cleaning up with the aid of a pressure washer and plenty of detergent.

[Andy C]

The boat fully stripped down was then put back on it's new trailer.

I would have no reservation in recommending DeGraaff trailers. A Good product at a good price.

[Andy C]

No rot or damage was found on the boat so it was just a case of cosmetics....

This included a new flow coat to the rear section. Although in an out of site area I did not like that old red colour.

[Andy C]

Next job was to sort out the faded red on the outside of the boat.

So in the summer of 2011 it was towed down to Southampton so that Mike Nicholson could undertake a respray.
The only problem I had was what colour to go for?
I wanted to keep it fairly original but was concerned the red would fade again. One of the options was to keep it white but with a black stripe and black screen. However the original blue on the screen was in fantastic condition considering it's age and a lovely deep blue colour which the photo's don't really show.
It was not until the morning of leaving the boat with Mike that a decision was made and on his recommendation we went for keeping the the same original blue but this time above and below the rubbing strip as well as the screen.

These pictures were taken after the respray when some of the fittings have been put back on the exterior of the boat. Everything was new including pull up cleats rather than the original standard style. The only original items which were not replaced were the deck rails and grab handles.

[Andy C]

There was no problems with the transom but whilst everything was stripped back we decided to add a plate to the interior face to give some added strength. The new/stronger fuel tank was then positioned. All metalwork powder coated black.

[Andy C]

Some bling bits.....

Transom lifting eyes and backing plates. Made by John Cunningham (Sorry John a blatant copy of those on Leviathan).

[Andy C]

Water pick up and control from Steve Salmon.

[Andy C]

In Control foot throttle.

[Andy C]

7" bracket from Stainless Marine fitted and water pick up.

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by Andy C

Made by John Cunningham (Sorry John a blatant copy of those on Leviathan).

Similar ...a few small details i'd have to correct

[larby]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

Similar ...a few small details i'd have to correct

Such as radiused corners concentric to the mount holes?

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by larby

Such as radiused corners concentric to the mount holes?

... Would probably have had the backplate a little narrower too. just for my own aesthetic pleasure.

[Andy C]

Trim - yet again I had trouble visualising colour schemes. In end I went with the main colour being slate grey with cushioning in cobalt blue.
Ring Powercraft made up a new three position rear seat - the head roll/head rest has yet to be added to this.

[Andy C]

Dash by the 'Carbon Weezel' guys

[Andy C]

Mike Ring has started producing a rather nice high back seat - designed and built by his own fair hand.
I wanted to replace the original low backs (Although very comfy) with a high back version. So two of the new seats go in the front....

[Andy C]

Still some trimming to do -

Rear padded hatch.
Head Roll on rear seat.
Carpet around cuddy entrance to be edged with some carbon section.
Bulkhead to be replaced between cuddy and bow area.

Then all electrics, mount and rig engine.

But it is getting there....

[Andy C]

...

[Andy C]

Although not yet finished can I give a big thank you to Mike Ring for all his help and advice

and to Ben and Gary at the factory for all their hard work

[Ph@ntastic]

It looks great
Wich engine will be behind it ?

[Jon Fuller]

Originally Posted by Andy C

Some bling bits.....

...Transom lifting eyes and backing plates.

Are they definitely going to clear the rubrail?

I know when I made mine I had to have them leaning back at a greater angle than I really wanted, to get them to clear it. Though the 28 does have a 'joggle' just below the rail that worsened this problem., still, rubrail thickness and deck laminate thickness probably amount to around 1" protrusion from transom plane, and the lifting bracket appears to run parallel to the mounting plate (6mm thick?), so there might be some unwanted interference. I guess if you mount it low enough it will clear, but the shackle/strop could touch the deck moulding.

I actually produced one in MDF to the exact dimensions to try first, as I didn't fancy all that work only to find I'd missed an obvious detail. Did the same with the steering brackets to check all the turn clearances, ram travel etc. Mine was all done from 10mm x 100mm 316 bar.

Lifting eyes eh, does this mean It's going to be stored at a crane yard, rather than a fork yard?

Anyway, all looking very cool, Richard will regret selling it!