Measure me your rig - please

[treerat]

Folks

Some of you know I run a 4.7 zodiac. She's a great boat and does me well, but as the kids are growing I'm soon going to need something a little larger, preferably with a single driver jockey and two single jockeys behind at the 5 and 7 o'clock position.

However I'm restricted by my storage options. I have a space with maximum dimensions of;

Length: 5.8 m - 19 ft 4 in
Width: 2.3 m - 7 ft 8 in
Height: 2.3 m - 7 ft 9 in

So what size unit will fit in here? - I could really do with some ideas - the measurement needs to be from the tip of the ball hitch through to the end of the tube.

Ta muchly

[spartacus]

Reckon the Ribcraft 5.3m Pro should be top of your wish list.
http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/drawings/l...20-%205.3m.PDF

Not many Ribs at this size for the specific seating configuration you have in mind. Ribcraft have a 2009 5.3 for sale. Not cheap at £17,995, but looks sweet as a nut. http://www.ribcraft.co.uk/index.php?...-view&bid=2560

[treerat]

That looks ideal especially if the trailer doesn't muck up the length.

Ta

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by treerat

That looks ideal especially if the trailer doesn't muck up the length

It does look ideal. Indespension trailers seem to have long draw bars (although they're great trailers and sit low and wide). My RC4.8 sits on a Rapide, so the boat sits higher, but drawbar is perfect length. There's always the option of a detachable drawbar if push came to shove.

Only other boat I could think of was a Ribeye A500 or A550. Side by side jockeys and fitted rear bench. The Ribeye A500 with a 5m hull that punches well above it weight

[lakelandterrier]

Andy,

Just checked actual dimensions on Aquahound for you- a far better buy than that other RC5.3 and with a 2x2 layout much better if you are out with only 1 other especially if a youngster.

I wouldn't be happy with children on a rear bench personally single jockeys every time for me - but don't want this thread diverted onto a seating debate

On the snipe rapide trailer I have tip of ball hitch to end of sponson 6.50m. and its's not really a long drawbar.

Height with an RC A-frame 2.30m. Added to that are Nav light and 0.5m antenna giving total height on trailer 2.80m. You could relocate nav light and antenna or replace with a fold down one, or even ditch the A-frame entirely - although as the kids grow they'll want to be towed on stuff no doubt.

No sure if that helps with the storage issue but might put an RC5.3 - which would fit the bill otherwise into context on dimensions. Give me a shout if you need anything else from me.

LT

[treerat]

Thank you - unfortunately the RC 5.3 is too wide - they are 2.4m width, I have 2.3

I really don't want to go down the deflate the tubes each time route - will look at other storage options too though

[lakelandterrier]

I think Andy, you may need to reconsider the storage as you say if you wnt something larger.

I've always had to keep mine outside - including over winter, and that hasn't affected tubes or hull so inside storage might not really be an issue. Could you find somewhere relatively secure to keep her outside?

[diver 1]

I have similar space constraints as yourself. I run a Viking Tornado 5.85m. Its a 2.4m beam which is a very tight squeeze. I do partially deflate the tubes and this gives me around 1" overall clearance on width. I've modified the storage as well to ensure sharp edges and even the grains on the timbers used wont accidentally splinter and puncture a tube!

Working by re-spacing the trailer rollers and fitting lower profile smaller diameter trailer wheels helped reduce the height, lights have been re-fitted under the A frame rather than above it and found the ideal aerial too that will flex enough not to get damaged by regular impact with the roof.

Lots of effort yes, but its paid off.