A-Frame pulled out of deck on Redbay

[Ribzer]

Hi all, during a recent rough crossing we noticed when we got home that the a-frame had been pulled up out of the deck on one side. Anyone ever see this happen before? Are they screwed/bolted down or just glassed in? The boat is a Redbay 6.5.

[northcol]

Had this happen on a 2007 7.8 Ribcraft, probably due to years of attaching mooring lines to the A-Frame ( not a good idea ! ) The frame was meerly bolted to the deck and glassed over. I reinforced it with SS plates, top and bottom and I believe Ribcraft do something similar now too !
Cheers, Col

[willk]

I used to have a 6.5 - I'd guess it's screwed and glassed but I dunno for sure. I've never seen damage like that before! Looks like A-frame off time to me

Ronan Keyes might be the lad to talk to for repairs, but IMO, give RBB a call first for advice. As a sidebar, do you know if the previous owners might have indulged in towed watersports?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by northcol

Had this happen on a 2007 7.8 Ribcraft, probably due to years of attaching mooring lines to the A-Frame

More likely towing stuff a lot heavier than kids on inflatables.

Not heard of an Osprey frame pulling out.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

More likely towing stuff a lot heavier than kids on inflatables.

Not heard of an Osprey frame pulling out.

Left yerself wide open there old bean

[northcol]

Originally Posted by Mollers

More likely towing stuff a lot heavier than kids on inflatables.

Not heard of an Osprey frame pulling out.

No mate, no towing as know the history !

Don't underestimate the Huge strain on A-Frame from mooring lines, it's not designed for this purpose but often used as most convenient.
As a fixing point for a short period of time in good conditions maybe ok, but for longer periods the constant strain produced from the too and fro of even a moderate swell will eventually make there mark.

Fix a towing eye on the transom for real security and piece of mind when alongside !

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Left yerself wide open there old bean

Let's wait and see.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Let's wait and see.

Having snapped a few things bolted to Osprey A frames I,ve never had any problems with the mountings.

When we took the frame off to put a 5 mm plate on for the radar tower the crane lifted the rear of the rib off the trailer with just the PU40 sealer holding it to the rib.

But we did make the frame and fixings

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Having snapped a few things bolted to Osprey A frames I,ve never had any problems with the mountings.

Also, the forward frame foot plates are bolted through the top of the transom boxes which have 18mm ply glassed into them. Access is available into the boxes to allow for hench nuts a washers. If failure should occur, it would be a easier fix than a ripped floor. I have 4x M10 bolts holding each plate down. The rear mounts are through the transom, more wood and big bolts.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Also, the forward frame foot plates are bolted through the top of the transom boxes which have 18mm ply glassed into them. Access is available into the boxes to allow for hench nuts a washers. If failure should occur, it would be a easier fix than a ripped floor. I have 4x M10 bolts holding each plate down. The rear mounts are through the transom, more wood and big bolts.

Fairly much exactly the same setup as the newer model Stormforce 650. The OP appears to have a 6.5m, it's A-frame is bolted to the transom but fixed to the deck on the forward legs. It needs a decent job repair before water gets in there....

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by northcol

No mate, no towing as know the history !

Sorry pal, you know someone's version of the history.

By the laws of physics, there is no way that the tugging of a mooring warp of a floating rib tied 'longside would tear a frame mount.

Unless there was either a 40 tonne trawler rafted up to the rib, or the tide went out a left the thing dangling by it's frame.

IMHO, that damage has been caused by towing something 'kin heavy off of the top of the frame, or it's had a whack when on the trailer, an overhead barrier perhaps?

[OSPREY RIBS]

Nowadays we have added an extra bit of security to make sure the Aframe remains a permanent fixture even if someone wants to ski off it.

12mm bolt through a 10mm s/s plate and the transom.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by OSPREY RIBS

Nowadays we have added an extra bit of security to make sure the Aframe remains a permanent fixture even if someone wants to ski off it.

12mm bolt through a 10mm s/s plate and the transom.

What use is that?! Unless you're towing skiers going backwards.

The force on the rear leg is purely compressive when towing, the shearing force on the front plate is the one worry about after the leverage of the frame is added.

If the front mounts let go, that tab that you've added would peel apart quicker than Jimbo's radar tower.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Mollers

What use is that?! Unless you're towing skiers going backwards.

The force on the rear leg is purely compressive when towing, the shearing force on the front plate is the one worry about after the leverage of the frame is added.

If the front mounts let go, that tab that you've added would peel apart quicker than Jimbo's radar tower.

would have to agree with that seems pointless in that position

[OSPREY RIBS]

Originally Posted by Mollers

What use is that?! Unless you're towing skiers going backwards.

The force on the rear leg is purely compressive when towing, the shearing force on the front plate is the one worry about after the leverage of the frame is added.

If the front mounts let go, that tab that you've added would peel apart quicker than Jimbo's radar tower.

Our experience has shown that if the A-frames are used inappropriately then the greatest load is placed on the rear legs as they are effectively pulled back and downwards with incredible force. These transom bolts take most of the load off the top of the transom box and move it onto the transom.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by OSPREY RIBS

Our experience has shown that if the A-frames are used inappropriately then the greatest load is placed on the rear legs as they are effectively pulled back and downwards with incredible force. These transom bolts take most of the load off the top of the transom box and move it onto the transom.

Ah right.

[Ribzer]

Does anyone know what the grey paint used around the edge of the deck and in the bilge area is (see picture below) and where I would get it? Is it a type of epoxy or gelcoat? I need it in order to carry out the repair around the a-frame attachment to the deck.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Looks like flow coat gel coat with wax added

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Ribzer

Does anyone know what the grey paint used around the edge of the deck and in the bilge area is (see picture below) and where I would get it? Is it a type of epoxy or gelcoat? I need it in order to carry out the repair around the a-frame attachment to the deck.

The best people to ask would probably be Redbay who could probably tell you the right shade of grey. I'm assuming you've been in touch with RBB as suggested previously as they'll be best placed to advise on the fix, and any longer term reinforcing if you are doing something exceptional with it.

Its testament to the Redbay A-frame that the weak point in the whole thing appears to be the deck joint - all too often people are posting here with cracks on cheap metal work caused by the cyclical vibrations of running ribs in real conditions.

The damage you posted looks like the sort of thing you'd expect from a sudden load, so unless you've been towing supertankers or forgot the tide goes out then did someone forget a car park height barrier? Truely remarkable though if the rest of the frame is completely unharmed from whatever happened to it. Any sign of damage on the other side? Is the frame still straight?

How old is it? I'd have been tempted to RTB even with a 3 hr tow so you get it fixed 'right'. If any water starts getting in there you'll be plagued with issues.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Unless there was either a 40 tonne trawler rafted up to the rib, or the tide went out a left the thing dangling by it's frame.

IMHO, that damage has been caused by towing something 'kin heavy off of the top of the frame, or it's had a whack when on the trailer, an overhead barrier perhaps?

Ditto.