Is an A-FRAME usefull??

[Manos]

I've been wondring and thinking whether an A-frame is such a usefull piece of equipment on a RIB.
What is its purpose (not to put nav lights on because you can put all those on a pole or on the console).
So why a RIB should have one? It increases weight aft which is bad thing and makes you slow as is completely non aerodynamic. Fishing traulers have one but this is for a purpose to heave the nets up from the sea.
Any ideas?? I have my own but I think that this may be an interesting topic for discussion. And who knows may be we decide that an A-frame is not usefull after all

[ashbypower]

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

[UKPOWERBOAT]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

Phew
Well I'm glad you said that considering I just spent £700 quid on a double A Frame today for my New Rib!! Cos the above is exactly why I bought mine

[Nick Hearne]

And they look cool

[Louise]

And, boys, don't forget they give you something to hang on to so you don't fall in whilst 'relieving' yourselves.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Phew
Well I'm glad you said that considering I just spent £700 quid on a double A Frame today for my New Rib!! Cos the above is exactly why I bought mine

Nauti, IMHO good move I forgot to mention that the additional height gives the VHF an advantage.

Regards

Brian

[Andy]

I find mine useful to climb on if I need more height ... for taking photos, for seeing divers etc. Its also very good to lean on when your hanging over the back looking at prop, echo sounder transducer etc. Good for flags, lights etc. Mine also acts as a bottle rack for diving cylinders.

Once I also saw a RIB loose it in the surf and the A-frame stopped the engine and boat internals from getting smashed to bits.

However I think its real purpose is to mount a self righting bag on.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Louise

And, boys, don't forget they give you something to hang on to so you don't fall in whilst 'relieving' yourselves.

Louise, I'll have to look around more carefully in the future

Brian

[Manos]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

But you can mount the GPS antena on the console, the flags on a pole aft together with the white round light on top and the VHF antena. Dry boxes you can put them in the double bottoms. You see I have A-frames on all of our boats too and just been discussing here whether they could have done without them.
I agree they look cool one plus point so far

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Manos

But you can mount the GPS antena on the console, the flags on a pole aft together with the white round light on top and the VHF antena. Dry boxes you can put them in the double bottoms. You see I have A-frames on all of our boats too and just been discussing here whether they could have done without them.
I agree they look cool one plus point so far

Thanks MANOS need all the point I can get GPS Antenna on the consul yes but you can loose signal if someone "Shields it" from the sky view, OK on RIBS with seats but on Dive RIBS seats are normally a Luxury reserved for the helmsman everyone else sits /stands wherever. DRy Boxes can clutter the Doubles so by placing on the A gives more storage + point on a small RIB. I'll give you a point however for the Pole mounted Antenna and alround white.

Brian