Advice for newbie please

[Rokraider]

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

[Polwart]

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

[Chris]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Polwart]

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]

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]

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?