A Part of the boat we don't often see

[UKPOWERBOAT]

Just spotted Jon's Ribcraft 9m and the under deck layout. It's interesting the way different boat builders configure their under deck layout and materials used for the main deck. Ribcraft opting for the Marine Ply deck, Parker opting for the Moulded Deck. First time I have seen below the deck of a 9m Ribcraft.

How often does the buyer see what is below the deck?

Have attached 2 pics for comparison, both 9m Ribs and both gonna be Sea Safari set up.

1st Pic Parker 900 Baltic

2nd Pic Ribcraft 9m

Does anyone else have any other underdeck layout pics of similar size for comparison?

[Jono]

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

[GED]

Originally Posted by Jono

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

looks like a spray pump

[timw]

Interesting...

What I've never really understood, is that the underfloor fuel tanks are presumably sealed for life once the deck is installed and bonded in.

If anything was to ever go wrong with fuel tank(s) is the only way to get them out by performing major surgery and cutting out a huge part of the deck? Why aren't large hatches normally fitted?

[UKPOWERBOAT]

Originally Posted by timw

Interesting...

What I've never really understood, is that the underfloor fuel tanks are presumably sealed for life once the deck is installed and bonded in.

If anything was to ever go wrong with fuel tank(s) is the only way to get them out by performing major surgery and cutting out a huge part of the deck? Why aren't large hatches normally fitted?

Parker fit large access hatches which are unboltable, above the fuel tanks so you can access/remove the tanks without having to cut up the deck.

Pic 1 Fuel Tanks under deck
Pic 2 More detailed shot
Pic 3 Best shot I have I'm afraid roughly showing the Fuel Tank Covers in place.

[joakimhansson]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

How often does the buyer see what is below the deck?

Scorpion does.... Pics on every part, and even pics on other brand to compare.....

[Jono]

Originally Posted by GED

looks like a spray pump

...Spray gun for Gel/Flo..or a chopper gun?

[timw]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Parker fit large access hatches which are unboltable, above the fuel tanks so you can access/remove the tanks without having to cut up the deck.

That's what I think should be the norm.

I wonder why it's not the same with other manufacturers. Perhaps they think the tanks and all the ancilliary underdeck fittings will outlast the boat?

[Tim M]

It worries me that I can't get to the tank on my Solent. Should anything ever go wrong its going to be a matter of cutting the deck up to get to the tank

[Dave Berry]

Originally Posted by Jono

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

Looks like a resin spray system to me. It speeds up the hull laminating process quite a bit. Any time you need to wet out some fibreglass you just spray it on and keep going. No need to mix pails of resin and go like hell before it sets up on you.

Just curious, what type of deck do people prefer - the hand finished marine ply version or the molded version? I am working on the plug for a 5m boat here in Canada and have not decided if I should make a deck mold.