Rib Deck Modification Advise

[Locozodiac]

Hola ribbers

Was wondering if any of you can give an advise regarding : what would be the work to be done to make the interior's rib bow a flat/horizontal one so to place water, gasoline containers up front for better transportation to a main boat. This 320 sib has a straight floor on the back, but a v shape up front and will be used as a yacht tender.

Happy Ribbing

[Ian M]

Looks to me that you are not going to be able to do anything other than build a flat section to fit in just under the tubes. Not sure how the boat will be used, but have you considered a removable section? What I am thinking of is the flat area for your containers, with a vertical support section to meet the contours of the deck at the stern end of the flat section. This vertical section could fit between locators simply glassed into the deck/hull, and then with some simple supports under the horizontal area it would be solid. If you wanted to glass in some nutserts, you could even screw it all down. If you then later needed the deck space, all you would have to do is remove it

[Polwart]

could you make (or have made) a nice frame from stainless which would hold them, give you somewhere to strap to and easy access underneath for other storage etc? For a one off might be easier than messing about with moulds etc for GRP, or trying to make a wooden shelf look "pretty".

[Bigmuz7]

Looks like a nice little tub,... for what it will cost you to modify it, I'd sell it to a good home and buy a bigger one that meets your demands

[SeaSkills]

If you just want a simple flat surface to carry stuff up in the bow, I think you could do a pretty effective cheap job with a piece of 10mm marine ply shaped to fit the bow space and wedged in under the tubes. A few lengths of bungee or a piece of netting would hold everything in place.

May not be the most elegant solution but should work fine and dead easy to do. A dab of paint to match the deck and it might even look as if it's meant to be there!

[dsteding]

I've done something to the front of my Avon to accommodate scuba tanks. It was a flat piece of 3/8 inch aluminum plate, and I used HDPE blocks as "feet" to set it up off the bottom. I lag bolted it to the floor through the HDPE feet.

I'll post pictures when I have them, the boat is in the shop right now (for motor issues).

You could do the same here, and then have some pipe supports sticking up to lash your water/fuel tanks to for transport. Keeps it secure that way.

My total cost for custom fabrication was reasonable, less than $500.

[Locozodiac]

Thanks rib gurus, got the ideas clear, will pass to customer to see which one he'd like and evaluate costs, I think that making a flat fiber glass non removable bow deck will be cheaper but longer labor hours involved, than removable stainles steel, more costly but near instant to cut and place under tubes. Will inquire both options prices.

Happy Ribbing

[dsteding]

I'd be careful about stainless under the tubes. You run the risk of the plate rubbing through the tubes over time.

Also, no real need for stainless-5000 series aluminum is quite corrosion resistant and will work fine for that application. And, be a hell of a lot cheaper.

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Thanks rib gurus, got the ideas clear, will pass to customer to see which one he'd like and evaluate costs, I think that making a flat fiber glass non removable bow deck will be cheaper but longer labor hours involved, than removable stainles steel, more costly but near instant to cut and place under tubes. Will inquire both options prices.

Happy Ribbing

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by dsteding

I'd be careful about stainless under the tubes. You run the risk of the plate rubbing through the tubes over time.

Also, no real need for stainless-5000 series aluminum is quite corrosion resistant and will work fine for that application. And, be a hell of a lot cheaper.

I didn't actually mean plate when I suggested it -- I meant something from tube - sort of a bit like the liferaft carrier here: http://rib.net/forum/attachment.php?...7&d=1229624245

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by dsteding

I'd be careful about stainless under the tubes. You run the risk of the plate rubbing through the tubes over time.

Ok, so stainless steel is not the way to go, you recommend aluminum sheet, what about rubbing against under tubes as would the stainless steel example you gave ? Are you thinking in terms of material thickness ? Can you explain better.

Happy Ribbing