Taking a Williams Rib to Bits ...

jrudge

jrudge

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Dec 2005
Messages
5,503
Location
Live London, boat Mallorca
Visit site
Was at the boat show last night and saw a limited edition Williams 325 - that just happens to a near as damn it match my boat ( boat is wrapped bronze).

Asked about cost to upgrade (current 325s is 4 months old and has 12 hours on it) and the figure is so eye watering I would be embarrassed to say how much. I know boats don't go up in value ... but!

Anyway the "cheap" option is to get the rib wrapped. Grapefruit are at the boat soon anyway, and I have spare wrap on board.

To do this properly the trim needs to come off ( non issue) but also the tubes really need to come off.

Does anyone know how they come off?

Even better - does anyone have a Service Manual - the "owners manual" basically tells you how to start it so does not help.

The limited edition upholstery was nice, and if anyone knows anyone who has made up a set in the past (i.e. they know the template and i don't need to head to Mallorca to collect the old ones!) then that would be great also.

Whilst it is bits may as well put in a Stereo.

Maybe I need a web site ... pimpmytender.com!

Thanks as ever
 
jrudge said:
Was at the boat show last night and saw a limited edition Williams 325 - that just happens to a near as damn it match my boat ( boat is wrapped bronze).

Asked about cost to upgrade (current 325s is 4 months old and has 12 hours on it) and the figure is so eye watering I would be embarrassed to say how much. I know boats don't go up in value ... but!

Anyway the "cheap" option is to get the rib wrapped. Grapefruit are at the boat soon anyway, and I have spare wrap on board.

To do this properly the trim needs to come off ( non issue) but also the tubes really need to come off.

Does anyone know how they come off?

Even better - does anyone have a Service Manual - the "owners manual" basically tells you how to start it so does not help.

The limited edition upholstery was nice, and if anyone knows anyone who has made up a set in the past (i.e. they know the template and i don't need to head to Mallorca to collect the old ones!) then that would be great also.

Whilst it is bits may as well put in a Stereo.

Maybe I need a web site ... pimpmytender.com!

Thanks as ever
Click to expand...


Jeremy, please tell me this is a joke, please please please.:eek:
 
Get your gardiennage person to stick the cushions in a box, and send them back to the UK. I think the fabric on that special edition was Spradling Diamante, either Snow or Ivory.

Ref the stereo, for a tender I'd suggest a Fusion 205 head unit, with a BT100 bluetooth adaptor so you can stream your iphone to the head unit. Not many spaces for speakers in the 325 I don't think - didn't that special edition have them mounted up at the front, underneath that bow seat? If you can squeeze a little sub into the console somewhere, that would definitely be worth doing.
 
Now Jimmy - don't get silly! Well actually lights would be lovely - but we already have the interior foot well lights, which are actually really good when boarding at night. Maybe Eme has a free sample going!

The williams factory stereo is a 205 and the speakers go up front, so that is what I would do if I can be bothered to play!
 
For what it's worth, I like it too, suppose though re-sale value might be higher if you wrap, which can be removed at sale time. Would expect white grp would be more popular.
 
Great plan Jeremy. I'm all in favour of pimping tenders and making them integrate w mother ship

With few exceptions removing tubes is a specialist job. Walker bay attach the tubes with a bolt rope/ luff track but nearly everyone else attaches them by gluing then directly to the grp using 2 part adhesive

Removing and reattaching isn't a DIY job. You need a rib repairer and for them it is a walk in the park. My brother recent had a rib "re-tubed" and it looks oem. But the whole project is a faff for a yacht tender because you gotta get the tender transported etc etc

If you find a helpful rib firm who will collect the rib, remove tubes, let grapefruit into their premises and wrap, reassemble and redeliver, then you're good to go. Quite a mission though

Sorry if TYHTSE but with wrap you will never get the deep gloss of the paint as in the link above. Grapefruit have wrapped my HT in silver and done a beautiful job but the gloss is nothing like my awl grip silver metallic dashboards. Exact same color but no rich gloss. So in my book you need to consider paint on complex shapes that you are up close to, like your project

Any chance to get the rib back to Essex? Then there is local contractor to remove tubes, Allen will paint perfectly in awlgrip ( awl craft 2000 actually) and mj Martin up the road will do oem level re upholstery. You will then match the William original level of finish

Definitely needs lumishore RGB lights on transom too:encouragement:
 
Last edited:
Actually Jeremy the tubes are quite easy to remove, they slot into a groove round the edge of the grp hull, contact Williams Mallorca, they are based on Santa Ponca industrial estate, I would think they could arrange a contractor to do the paint job jfm suggests. I think the wrap would take quite a battering internally, skis & other toys.
 
pan said:
Actually Jeremy the tubes are quite easy to remove, they slot into a groove round the edge of the grp hull, contact Williams Mallorca, they are based on Santa Ponca industrial estate, I would think they could arrange a contractor to do the paint job jfm suggests. I think the wrap would take quite a battering internally, skis & other toys.
Click to expand...
ah right, thanks Pan. So they attach the tubes as walker bay do, in a luff track slot. Thanks for explaining that, and Jeremy ignore my comment about them being glued on. Fab stuff
 
Hi. Agree paint is better than wrap. Essex would need it back in the uk and quoted back of a *** packet £5k pus I would need to get it to Essex and back. This adds up to more than my perceived value of the update.

Mallorca have excellent paint facilities and I will ask around down there and also involve Williams Mallorca who are lovely to deal with. The wrap was an option simply because it is simple. Probably deflate the tubes remove a chunk of trim , wrap and put back together. The gloss and durability are as you both say not near paint. You can cover wrap with clear film whch may help.

Balance of money vs looks. Maybe that equation does not work on boats !!! What do I mean maybe !

Trim I can easily bring back next time I am down and the bulk of the effect will be in the bronze.

Will investigate more!
 
Tubes on a Williams are easy, just deflate them and they are secured at the rear, its a few years since I did one, but its quite obvious, then they slide forwards along a groove.
 
jrudge said:
Asked about cost to upgrade (current 325s is 4 months old and has 12 hours on it) and the figure is so eye watering I would be embarrassed to say how much. I know boats don't go up in value ... but!
Click to expand...
We had a similar experience at the show today with Williams/EBY. We have an 8 month old 325s with similar hours to yours and I nearly fell over when they came back to us with a cost to change to a new 2015 325s!! Quite ridiculous.......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

F
Seychelles & New purchase questions
Replies
8
Views
510
MBY editor
M
C
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE - EIAPP CERTIFICATION
Replies
8
Views
454
Tranona
T

Share this page

Top