Catagory rating

Biggles · 22 April 2007, 15:55

As you know I have a Ribcraft 585. On the Hull Plate its rated to Cat C and 10 persons, which seems a little low to me regarding the Cat rating.

On Ribcrafts web site it states the 585 is a Cat B boat able to carry 12 persons.

Because I don't beleive the design of the hull has ever changed should I try and get Ribcraft to issue another plate ?

Tim M · 22 April 2007, 16:57

This is interesting. Greyhound used to have a C plating, but is rated to B in the paperwork (I think, or it might be the other way round).

Evolution is rated to take 8 people dispite having seating for 10. I rang Solent and asked them about this and they said the 7m version is now rated for 10. I asked if I could get them to re-plate the boat and they said that would be possible although I'm not sure how legal that is - didn't speak to the guy in charge just someone who works there who sounded a bit unsure so not sure if this is good advice or not.

I'd be interested to know because if it is all above board I will get the boat re-plated....

qcamel · 22 April 2007, 18:14

Would getting the boat replated have any real advantage over not doing so? Surely correspondance from tha manufacturer would be acceptable? Not really aware of the benefits of higher catagories?

codprawn · 22 April 2007, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcamel

Would getting the boat replated have any real advantage over not doing so? Surely correspondance from tha manufacturer would be acceptable? Not really aware of the benefits of higher catagories?

It comes down to resale - most people think that a B rated boat MUST be better than a C......

toby4594 · 22 April 2007, 19:09

I don,t actually think its going to make a difference on resale , Having a c rating didn,t put Biggles off the purchase of his ribcraft originally obviously.
I cant actually see any benefit in getting it changed.My rib is actually c rated also but for 16 persons,16 My a##e ,I wouldn,t want any more than 6 cos thats all I can seat sensibly .

alt · 22 April 2007, 23:12

Can anyone explain to me what exactly these category's mean?

My sports cruiser is a Cat B and I don't even really know what it means

Hightower · 22 April 2007, 23:43

Surely there is no point in getting your RIBcraft re-catagorised, what's the point?

Unless you're thinking of going into charter or something!

Spottydog · 23 April 2007, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

Can anyone explain to me what exactly these category's mean?

My sports cruiser is a Cat B and I don't even really know what it means

Found this on the 'net. Hope it helps.

CE Boat Categories...

A. OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4 m and above but excluding abnormal conditions, and vessels largely self-sufficient.

B. OFFSHORE: Designed for waves of up to 4m significant height and a wind of Beaufort force 8 or less. Such conditions may be encountered on offshore voyages of sufficient length or on coasts where shelter may not always be immediately available. Such conditions may also be experienced on inland seas of sufficient size for the wave height to be generated.

C. INSHORE: Designed for waves of up to 2m significant height and a typical steady wind force of Beaufort force 6 or less. Such conditions may be encountered on exposed inland waters, and in coastal waters in moderate weather conditions.

D. SHELTERED WATERS: Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters, small bays, small lakes, rivers and canals when conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 0.3m may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0.5m maximum height, for example from passing vessels.

This is just an easy guide to the category letters. There is much, much more behind getting the RCD approval in whichever category.

There was also an interesting set of pie charts showing that category B or calmer conditions prevailed in the Solent for 90% of the year, and C or calmer for 75% - see this link http://www.ceproof.com/Marine/rcd_design_category.htm

Poly · 23 April 2007, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spottydog

There was also an interesting set of pie charts showing that category B or calmer conditions prevailed in the Solent for 90% of the year, and C or calmer for 75% - see this link http://www.ceproof.com/Marine/rcd_design_category.htm

thats for the English Channel not the Solent.

alt · 23 April 2007, 08:48

Thanks for the info spottydog - I should have googled it!

Spottydog · 23 April 2007, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

thats for the English Channel not the Solent.

To Polwart

I'm ever so sorry about the terrible mistake. Please forgive me.

If I can be arsed to dig up information again, I'll be sure to get it right.

To Alt

You're welcome.

Poly · 23 April 2007, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spottydog

To Polwart

I'm ever so sorry about the terrible mistake. Please forgive me.

If I can be arsed to dig up information again, I'll be sure to get it right.

Appols if I came across as a bit short - it was actually meant to reinforce your point. If 75% of the time the channel is cat C then you can be pretty sure that the solent is "better" than that.

Tim M · 23 April 2007, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcamel

Would getting the boat replated have any real advantage over not doing so? Surely correspondance from tha manufacturer would be acceptable? Not really aware of the benefits of higher catagories?

Well if you get it replated to reflect a higher capacity then it means you can take more people....

Biggles · 06 June 2007, 13:10

E Mail sent to Ribcraft today. Will post reply.