Seat/bottle rack

[tue]

I need to get some seats made up for my RIB so other people can sit down on my RIB (they like to do that apparently ).

However they need to be convertable into bottle racks. I have measured the available space and can fit either 4 single or 2 double sized seat/bottle rack frames behind and to the port and starboard of the helm seat.

I feel that with the singels I can move them around and have a fully adjustable seating system. When diving I can put 2 together behind the helm seat as a bottle rack and 1 in front of the anchor locker at the bow. If I have the doubles I feel it would restrict access to the anchor locker as the frame would have to go over it.

I have 40" behind the helm seat (the length of the treadmaster) and 51" across the boat (the width of the treadmaster). Any other suggestions on the positions of the seats or type to go for.

EDIT: I have added some examples of what I mean

Thanks

[TQBoater]

If you have a rack in the front of the boat might it cause damage to the console as they move to the rear of the boat to get kitted up?

I'm sure people will be careful but it only takes a stray wave to knock you off balance and you could suffer damage.

Just my .002p worth

[ADS]

I guess the anchor locker is covered by the red box? I would be tempeted to have some weight forward of the console when loaded for diving because with 4 divers and all their kit at the back the handling will be affected.
Will a bottle rack fit in front of the console without obstructing your anchor locker?
Having said that, with a 200 on the back I doubt you have any trouble getting onto the plane!

[Pete7]

Paul, how about across the rib at the back ? or how about an offset seat to one side with the other side clear for room to get kitted up. Although it looked a little unbalanced it worked well and gave the divers something to hold on to whilst standing up to the dive site.

Pete

[tue]

Originally Posted by ADS

I guess the anchor locker is covered by the red box?

Yes

Originally Posted by ADS

Will a bottle rack fit in front of the console without obstructing your anchor locker?

Only the single seat type. If I go double seat frames, it will go over the top of the anchor locker.

Originally Posted by Pete7

Paul, how about across the rib at the back ?

I want to use the mounts from one side of the seat frames when I move them to the middle, so I don't have loads od fixings all over the boat. ( I could have a bench type frame across the back I suppose but I think it may be a bit uncomfortable?

Originally Posted by Pete7

or how about an offset seat to one side with the other side clear for room to get kitted up. Although it looked a little unbalanced it worked well and gave the divers something to hold on to whilst standing up to the dive site.

I will have 6 divers or more so I need room on each side of the boat.

Originally Posted by TQBoater

If you have a rack in the front of the boat might it cause damage to the console as they move to the rear of the boat to get kitted up?

My kit and my buddies kit would go in the bow and we would kit up there.

[swginn]

Would you consider welding a bottle rack to your A-frame, something like this??

[tue]

Pete has made me think now. How about a bench/rack across the back, double seat/rack behind the helm and a fixed rack in the bow?

This would mean I would not have to keep moving the frames around all the time depending on what I am doing with the boat .

Will post a pic in a bit

[tue]

Ok how about this. I can't have a welded rack to the frame because of a hatch in the floor (see pic).

I could fit two bench seats/racks, one either side of hatch and a double seat/rack up the middle of the boat and a rack in the bow. This would mean no moving of seats/racks.

[Pete7]

Paul, if your going to have a rack custom made (mine was £200 from Portchester Engineering) then ask for it to have the centre bar high enough so the hatch at the rear can be opened with the rack in place. The hatch should be strong enough for a twin set, in fact if you move the rack forward a bit you would get 6 twin sets on one rack, thats a bit of weight at the back so all the other kit & weight belts gets slung up the front out of the way to travel offshore.

Pete

[Simon B]

TUE,

I have been designing the ultimate dive rib in my head for some time and did flirt with the idea of a cylinder rack that was basically 3 pieces of square box section 1 long 2 short joined so as to form a collapsible rack that could fold flat into the floor.This does have major implications if your decking is non removable.

Do you need to access the hatch at all times? Had you considered a transverse mounted rack just behind the helm jockey?that can take sets more than 2 deep

[pettal]

I've been thinking about this for some time as well.

I'd like a portable lightweight dive rack that I can take on and off without too much hassle.

I'd also like this to be moveable within the boat so that I can place it where the hell I like....either right near the transom or just behind the back of the seats (to aid with load balancing).

I've toyed with the idea of some high density foam in two rows and lie the tanks down flat in the grooves (if you see what I mean) and fit the bottom of the foam with non-slip conveyor belting.

I would have thought, (but could be wrong until I try it) that the weight of the tanks would be sufficient enough to keep the tanks and foam and conveyor belt in one place without the need for fixing to the deck.

But like all good plans!