Just an Idea!!

Hightower · 04 October 2006, 21:48

Anyone here any experience with a Bowrider style of console on a RIB, the only one I saw was on a Pasco I think. I was thinking along these lines with a centre walk-though, though a door that would close whilst underway afforing crew a little more protection in rough/cold conditions. For a 6/6.5m..ish RIB but I expect you'd need a pretty beamy boat for it to work correctly.

I was also thinking of a removable rigid bow cover of some sort that one could sleep under and dry store supplies whilst out for an extended cruise, coupled to the bowrider Idea could make for an interesting project.

Brambles · 04 October 2006, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Anyone here any experience with a Bowrider style of console on a RIB, the only one I saw was on a Pasco I think. I was thinking along these lines with a centre walk-though, though a door that would close whilst underway afforing crew a little more protection in rough/cold conditions. For a 6/6.5m..ish RIB but I expect you'd need a pretty beamy boat for it to work correctly.

I was also thinking of a removable rigid bow cover of some sort that one could sleep under and dry store supplies whilst out for an extended cruise, coupled to the bowrider Idea could make for an interesting project.

I have thought about this myself Andy. The problem appears to be the loss of space on the dashboard for nav equipment & VHF etc when you fit the door. I think a one piece design (without the door) would be better. This could be offset on the deck to allow forward access and good deck drainage.

Cheers

Ian

Brambles · 04 October 2006, 22:16

A bit like this in fact... Thanks Hydrolift

codprawn · 04 October 2006, 22:22

Maybe it's just me but boats with offset consoles/wheelhouses just don't look "right"!!!

Hightower · 04 October 2006, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brambles

I have thought about this myself Andy. The problem appears to be the loss of space on the dashboard for nav equipment & VHF etc when you fit the door. I think a one piece design (without the door) would be better. This could be offset on the deck to allow forward access and good deck drainage.

Cheers

Ian

I'm glad you mentioned this Ian.

I thought that the consoles could overhang the tubes either side to at least the middle of them. The steering and engine controls to be mounted on one and an angled pod (in the helms direction) for the plotter and depth/fish finder with VHF radio and any other crap you wanted on there.

One problem I was thinking about was whether to mount the consol direct to the tubes or not? I did fancy a tube moulded design with a wrap round piece tapering down each side may be just level to the helms person

with a throttle mounted in that same place.

How strong would this consol have to be, to be bonded onto the tubes? Also I liked the Idea of bonding raised side pieces on the fore deck and linking the consols to a substansually raised Anchor locker with built in Sampsons post.

Hightower · 04 October 2006, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Maybe it's just me but boats with offset consoles/wheelhouses just don't look "right"!!!

Yeh, I like symmitry too Codprawn.

Lets go boating · 04 October 2006, 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Maybe it's just me but boats with offset consoles/wheelhouses just don't look "right"!!!

There is a reason for this

Mainly on smaller boats
This is to counterweight the boat, the prop turns 1 way, this will leen the boat to one side, and so putting the consol to 1 side levels the boat out.

Take the Avon Searider just like my 5.4m, the consolit set on the right hand side.

pathalla · 05 October 2006, 02:39

I think the main reason for the console offset is to permit walkaround access to the bow area, boat appears to have too narrow a beam for access from port and starboard both. Could be wrong though, been wrong before...

Nick Hearne · 05 October 2006, 08:07

Andy I like the idea big time!
I'm looking at the sea fox which would be great if it had some tubes & was better thought of!

There is one maker doing this can't think of there name

Cookee · 05 October 2006, 08:23

No bow seating area but enough dash room, a glove box and almost 6' of storage under the foredeck .......... oh yeah it's a RIB as well!

7 seater coming for next season as well!

Hightower · 05 October 2006, 17:05

I love Bananashark Cookee, but what I wanted to do was to have a truly versetile RIB with parts I could "bolt" on for different applications. IMHO the bow area is a bit of a wasted space in a RIB except for weighing the Anchor and for tying alongside something. You can't really be there at speed and it allows copiouse amounts of water in when stuffed.

I didn't want a ridgid bow cover as I find that fuffing around on a fore deck in choppy conditions and recovering an Anchor or something rather uncomfortable to do.

Is there no one that could comment on how strong a structure would have to be if it was moulded to the tubes?

Brambles · 05 October 2006, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

IMHO the bow area is a bit of a wasted space in a RIB except for weighing the Anchor and for tying alongside something. You can't really be there at speed and it allows copiouse amounts of water in when stuffed.

Couldn't agree with you more on that one

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Is there no one that could comment on how strong a structure would have to be if it was moulded to the tubes?

That's beyond my abilities but I would like to see some drawings, or preferrably the real thing. I'm sure it would sell well.

Ian

Powerboats · 05 October 2006, 19:40

There was definitely a company doing this a couple of years ago. I think it was based on an older full GRP hull from the same company, just can't remember the name at the moment.

The demonstrator/show boats they built had emerald green tubes as I recall and I think they were built in the West country?

Powerboats · 05 October 2006, 19:49

Here is an example:

http://www.aquaflyte-ribs.com/

Although I'm pretty sure this is a different company to the one I referred to in the previous post. Would be interesting to know if anyone remembers which company that was, as I am racking my brain?!

Nick Hearne · 05 October 2006, 20:49

Is it not http://www.sorcererboats.com/

Powerboats · 05 October 2006, 21:02

That's it. Thanks!

Hightower · 05 October 2006, 21:12

This was what I was looking at:

http://www.pascoeinternational.com/page/range2c

Gav · 05 October 2006, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Is there no one that could comment on how strong a structure would have to be if it was moulded to the tubes?

Please dont quote me on this as i do not manufacture ribs, but i do know of manufacturers using the tubes to mould off to make internal seating/stowage.
I cant see any problem with mounting a console partially onto the tube, after all the transom on a rib is moulded to the tube.......and a console would have certainly more surface area against the tube surface. The critical point would be the fixing of the console to the cockpit sole.

slimtim · 06 October 2006, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Is there no one that could comment on how strong a structure would have to be if it was moulded to the tubes?

Just clever design with strengthening in the right places...easy peasy

bedajim · 06 October 2006, 07:44

I've been thinking of a cover for the bow on my next rib made from the same material as the tubes pulled tight over them with some kind of fixing along the top of the hull

Hopefully this would give a removable cover to keep the water out and the contents dry