Advice for newbie please

Rokraider · 27 June 2008, 12:30

Hi All. I am new on here, so be gentle.
I currently sail dinghies for fun at HISC (Chichester Harbour). I do rescue duties for the sailing club in their RIB's quite often and have a hankering to get myself a RIB that would be used for Rescue duties for the club, but would also be used for jollys across the Channel and for trips along the coast, camping on beaches etc as well. I have been looking at the Camel RIBs with interest as it would be useful when going out on jollys to be able to take a windsurfer, camping gear and other toys along.
Although the roof rack looks over the top, it would enable me to accomplish this.

I would be interested to hear the pro's and cons of one of these and any alternatives?
Thanks. Chris

Poly · 27 June 2008, 12:49

I woulld search here for Camel Rib - you will find various posts...

Chris · 27 June 2008, 19:34

Jono Garton is someone you want to talk to
I recall seeing some pics of a camel type frame he had built.I think he also had a camel at one point.

Chris

Tim M · 28 June 2008, 17:22

Slightly off topic but, I saw a Camel RIB on the Hamble this afternoon with twin 225 Honda's on the back! Nuts.

Neil Harvey · 28 June 2008, 17:26

I like them, and they have loads of storage room for camping and stuff.
But, I don't like the frames, and they are prone to problems with welds breaking etc.

also a bit on the big side for a honda 130, an opti or Etec 200 would be a good match I reckon, but can't remember what the max recommended is.

ribraff · 28 June 2008, 18:29

mmm, there was one that was run from here in Dartmouth several years ago taking people out on thrill rides, possibly the slowest rib once you get more than four people on it, this thing could hold a serious amount of fuel in three separate fuel tanks under the deck. They were never all filled as there was a danger of it never being able to get on the plane! It's a ribtec hull which in my view is very good, if I had one I would reinforce the weak points on the frame and put something like a 175 on it for good measure.

Rokraider · 29 June 2008, 10:40

Anyone know what the framework is made from? Also , why is it so tall? It looks to be a lot taller than needed for headroom.
Thanks for the advice.

Poly · 29 June 2008, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokraider

Anyone know what the framework is made from? Also , why is it so tall? It looks to be a lot taller than needed for headroom.
Thanks for the advice.

don't look that tall to me?
http://www.camelboats.com/gallery/Resources/31.jpeg
presumably standing headroom was the design criterion?

hippyhunter · 29 June 2008, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

I like them, and they have loads of storage room for camping and stuff.
But, I don't like the frames, and they are prone to problems with welds breaking etc.

also a bit on the big side for a honda 130, an opti or Etec 200 would be a good match I reckon, but can't remember what the max recommended is.

mine's CE plated for 130HP, surely i'd have to get this changed if i fitted a bigger lump in order to keep the insurance company happy, how would i go about that?

the frame's aluminium, mine was a photo boat so it's the smaller version and so far hasn't shown any signs of stress despite thumping my head off it numerous times

9D280 · 02 July 2008, 12:11

Do you really want all that "scaffold" over the top when rescuing dinghies? For that reason alone I'd not bother with a full blown "Camel" rib, Once you got it upright and alongside to reintroduce the crew to their craft, it's inevitable your "lid" will entangle itself with spinny halliards, stays etc etc...... Remember if you're rescuing them, the sea state will be less than flat,and the chances are as they step back aboard the dinghy will heel towards you!

Unless the frames are easily removable?

havener · 02 July 2008, 13:44

Agree, I'd hate to be doing any sort of rescue job with that gantry over me.

Also, be very careful about insurance, skills level etc if doing safety cover in anything other than a club owned boat - it suddenly becomes a whole different ballgame.

hippyhunter · 02 July 2008, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

Unless the frames are easily removable?

4 bolts through the hull each side, easy to unscrew but would need sealing somehow

i haven't got the full roofrack (more like an A frame midships) and i love it, it's in a sensible place for people to hold onto, i sit on the self righting bag when i'm ticking over 'whale watching'

Rokraider · 09 July 2008, 13:00

Thanks for the replies, all sensible advice. I hadn't considered the potential issues of dinghy rigging getting caught up in the rack. It is a very valid point. I think the answer will be to custom build a lightweight frame with easily removable sections so it can be rigged to carry out whatever role I want it to perform.
I think rather than buying an actual Camel, I will look for a good standard platform to work from and develop what I want from there.
For my frame work, I might consider using Carbon Fibre or such like. I would be looking to keep the weight to a minimum to reduce the centre of gravity as much as possible, as well as the windage.It wont be carrying much weight, just bulky things such as a windsurfer etc A lightweight cover would be good to keep the worst of the elements off.

It is interesting reading the comments regarding CAD. I use CAD from time to time to assist with vehicle designs that I get involved in. I use 2 different types, Cardboard Aided Design to work out the basic object that needs fabricating (in best Blue Peter fashion). I then start bending and welding metal and when I am happy with the finished object, I draw it in Autocad. This way I know it will work and do the job intended, occasionally I have been able to refine my design using Autocad, but the bulk of the work is always done hands on.

I am looking forward to this project, it will have to wait until the winter and when I have finished numerous other projects currently cluttering up my yard.

9D280 · 10 July 2008, 09:14

Just a thought, but what elements are you planning on keeping out of? A "lid" will keep the sun off, but be as much use as a fart in a spacesuit for keeping rain off when you are travelling at any speed.

If you're designing your own to carry windsurfers, would you maybe be better with a couple of short uprights with a horisontal (A bit like a canoe roof rack on a car) with the upright as close to the toobs as geometry will allow, and carry the board along the top of the toobs, supported on the horizontal beams? Will reduce your aero drag a lot too..... Doing that if you design the support right, you could then remove the windsurfer rack, plant your windsurfer mast in the hole and hey presto, instant committee boat for the dingy racing!

Neil Harvey · 10 July 2008, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippyhunter

mine's CE plated for 130HP, surely i'd have to get this changed if i fitted a bigger lump in order to keep the insurance company happy, how would i go about that?

the frame's aluminium, mine was a photo boat so it's the smaller version and so far hasn't shown any signs of stress despite thumping my head off it numerous times

Pass, and i don't remember the number, but when i was looking at one, it was definitely plated by Ribtec for more than 130HP!

Rokraider · 10 July 2008, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

Just a thought, but what elements are you planning on keeping out of? A "lid" will keep the sun off, but be as much use as a fart in a spacesuit for keeping rain off when you are travelling at any speed.

If you're designing your own to carry windsurfers, would you maybe be better with a couple of short uprights with a horisontal (A bit like a canoe roof rack on a car) with the upright as close to the toobs as geometry will allow, and carry the board along the top of the toobs, supported on the horizontal beams? Will reduce your aero drag a lot too..... Doing that if you design the support right, you could then remove the windsurfer rack, plant your windsurfer mast in the hole and hey presto, instant committee boat for the dingy racing!

The roof would be for when the RIB is stationary or pottering when doing rescue /committee boat duties at the sailing club. It would keep the sun off and the worse of a downpour. I wouldn't expect it to cope with anything more than that. I quite fancy doing some cruising type stuff as well. With a full length framework it would be possible to fabricate some curtains that would convert it into a tent.