A Frame Fixings

[LURCHER]

Yet another problem that I know you guys will have the answer to .
I am having a new A frame made which we hope to have a tow point fixed up high for wakeboarding . Given the extra loads generated by this high point how do we fix the front legs to the deck , there is of course no access under the deck where the front feet would be positioned . The origional horrible galvanised steel A frame was fixed by two M10 stainless lengths of studding with a type of rawlbolt style fixing which has of course dropped off and is now in the void below.
Tubes are being made as we speak by Ribraff (Ed you shouldn't be reading this you should be busy glueing etc ! ) will post pics as soon as I get it back .

[Nick Hearne]

Why don't you get Ed to glass in 2 plates in the floor with bolts sticking up so you can then bolt the A frame to the glassed in plates!
Just like that!

[LURCHER]

As yet the A frame has not been made and I am picking boat up from ED on Wed I hope!

[Scary Des]

How about popping a couple of small inspection hatches in the deck that way you could bolt through and add backing plates Des

[swginn]

If you want a really strong fixing, forget the deck and go straight through the hull!! Mine is bolted through the hull and has two stainless plates on the outside of the hull. This also strengthens the transom-hull join as the back legs are bolted through the transom.

[Rogue Wave]

I prefer the last two methods for fixing, but having said that I wouldn't tow of an a frame I was most surprised when I snapped the A frame on a Ribcraft!

[Swifty]

How high up are you hoping to put the tow point. Reason I ask is that even Ribs can tip over. Just ask Daniel TD5!

Tim.

[Simon B]

Will post a picture of some gravity toggles I made in stainless, oh my their ugliness! but practical, inspection hatches were an option allowing to bolt through deck, however, if I had to a similar job I'd use the hull/plate solution.

A friend of mine had his A frame shear off, bear in mind the expense of replacing all your masthead kit if it gets ripped off, samsom post??

[Squirrel]

Just had my A-frame braced for wakeboarding. The guys at Pro-sport added a couple of eyes to the backs of the rear seat pods. These allow for a cable to go from the back of the seats through to the tow-line connection at the top of the A-frame. This means that the load is shared between teh A-frame and the seats. Just hope my seat pods are strong enough now.....

And before you ask, we put the eyes in the back of the seats rather than the floor because it gave a better angle and doesn't interfere with the bikini clad passengers (that's my job )

It's being serviced at the mo', but I'll try and get pictures if you're interested.

[smokie]

Does anyone know if rib manufacturers will install deck plates on the underside of the deck when the hull is being made for such loads if you ask them?