Major Dilemma

[Chris]

I am due to take Time Bandit to Henshaws tomorrow to have handles, safety lines and a fairlead fitted however I really like the look of the RIB without all this stuff stuck to it.

I realise that all these items have a practical use. Perhaps just 2 pairs of handles... 1 pair next to the console seat and the other pair just behins the front Jockey seats?

I think I may scrap the lifelines, not sure about the fairlead.

[MIRO Stewart]

oooh, pretty boat! It looks really smart!

I think the fairlead will finish it off nicely but I would agree with the lifelines, the tubes look well smart and v clean without anything!

Dont really get what you mean re. handles. What kinda handles you talking about? Do you have any cleats on the deck?

[Pete7]

Chris, I agree with you and MIRO and wouldn't bother with life lines, handles and patches etc. Keep the look clean and simple. Life lines for divers yes but not for a crusing rib. Rubber handles? hmm you have everyone sitting on seats. You can always fit them next year if you find you need them.

A good cleat mounted in the bow could be useful.

Pete

[Northern Tim]

I agree with the comments about lifelines and handles spoiling the looks, but if I was a MOB, I'd want some lifelines to grab hold of. They make getting back in that bit easier.

Some pics - Black vipermax (David Griffiths) with lifelines; Blue Vipermax with handles (Ribster Rache)

[nikster]

if you were a MOB as a single occupant you would probably come over the transom via the cav plate, or if being hauled over the side by other people in the boat - you would not have any real benefit at all as they would grab your lifejacket and under arm and flick you into the boat quick as a flash - however if the rib has overturned and your knackered and cold then yes they can be of use..... however --- really worth it? dive rib yes - cruising.... im with the others.....no!!

[iandl]

Chris,
I had the same dilema....i picked my boat up from henshaws without any handles/lifelines ...but i found i needed handles ......more so for a bit of passenger security and something to attach fenders too ...... for me definately handles ....still undecided about a fairlead. for mob a transom mounted boarding ladder

Ian

[Mollers]

Definitely put handles on, you'll have nothing to tie fenders to otherwise. Lifelines? Personally I like 'em if done neatly. Our kids do a lot of wakeboarding and snorkling from our boat, it would be a pain without them. Fairlead? Yep, anchoring will have ropes rubbing over the tubes without.

[Hightower]

Agree with Mollers with the exception of the lifelines.

3 handles down each side but instead of mounting them on top of the tubes, mount then inside so they can't be seen from the outside. This way your passengers can still use them, you can hang your fenders off of them and they're not a trip hazard whilst walking on the tubes.

Don't bother about the lifelines, they'll create a dirty part underneath on your tubes and don't acually think you need em anyway.

Go for a open D section on the bow to run your anchor line down, I hate the T cleats that you can buy as I'm unsure of how much force they could take before being ripped off. Mount a samsons post behind the bow tube, one that goes down into the anchor locker for strength.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Agree with Mollers with the exception of the lifelines.

3 handles down each side but instead of mounting them on top of the tubes, mount then inside so they can't be seen from the outside. This way your passengers can still use them, you can hang your fenders off of them and they're not a trip hazard whilst walking on the tubes.

Hightower gets an "A". Dropped off at Henshaws today and they suggested exactly the same, so I am having 3 pairs of these handles attached so that they are not visible from the side view.

I am not going for lifelines and for the moment will leave having a fairlead.

[Hightower]

I would go for the Open D Chris, otherwise the Bow line will just flop all over the place whilst underway.

I've just looked though all the photo's I have and the D fairlead is so unobtrusive I haven't a good shot of it at all.