Size of Boatshed?

doncanavan · 12 August 2005, 10:36

Does anyone have any advice on the optimum headroom required for working on a Tornado 8.5m or 9.5m RIB, while on its trailer?
We are currently designing a home for one and need to leave room for working within the boat as well as the height of the rear framing.
Many thanks.

Nick Hearne · 12 August 2005, 11:02

Why not call Barnet!
Barnet Marine Centre Ltd
Greenhill Parade, Great North Road, Barnet, Herts, EN5 1ES, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8449 4142 Fax: +44 (0)20 8440 7326
Nick

hard1 · 12 August 2005, 11:19

I think that would depend very much on the trailer! I had a Vector Vagabond on a drive-on trailer that I needed a step ladder to get into, whilst I can get my leg over (!) the tubes on my Cobra on a Snipe. I would certainly plan for a 3 metre clearance for 'A' frame and console ( 10') . (Lowering the aerial and GPS of course)

Daniel · 12 August 2005, 14:01

Slightly off thread but i'm keen to know anything about a Vector Vegabond since my friend has one and we know very little about it - never seen or neard of another - any idea when they were made and what happened to the hull - it's very quick.

hard1 · 12 August 2005, 14:31

Probably made around 1995. They are a curious design with a flat run aft, (as opposed to a deep 'V') allegedly designed for inshore fast patrol craft. They are quick allright, being of narrow beam and 7.25 metres long. Not the most comfortable in waves and they do tend to chine walk from side to side - very scary! I could see myself flipping it in a sharp breeze in a Solent chop! If you try to ride out a short steep chop in a Vagabond at a "sensible" speed, you're gonna get very wet,the way to run it is flat out over the top. A former Coastguard mate of mine looked at the hull and reckoned they'd been playing around with such a design for speed and inshore capability. Mine was used as race support for Offshore RIB racing and made many cross channel trips in sometimes filthy weather. In fact, lost a crew member still strapped in, seat and all running flat out through the Cascades!

Company went bust in 1996 I believe, and they were made in Poole area. Mine was famously owned by a former Hamble Harbourmaster who wanted to catch speeding miscreants! Interesting boat though, pretty well made. If you look closely at the attached, you'll see the weirdly designed stepped hull aft, although the flat bottom is not evident.

By the way, apologies for any thread hi-jack.

Pete7 · 12 August 2005, 14:55

Hmm, familiar name, Daniel have a read of these two threads. Wonder what happended to all the Vector moulds.

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....highlight=xr24

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....highlight=xr24

Pete

Daniel · 12 August 2005, 15:49

Thanks, i'll dig out a piccy. The seats are almost identical to those in my friends, although i would not agree with all your comments re: handling - what engine did you have?

"Childs Play Too" had a 200Suzuki which we immediatly replaced with a 150Mariner and now has a 150 Optimax. She will clear 40knts with the Opti which is good for a 7m+ boat i think.

hard1 · 12 August 2005, 17:56

200 Suzuki 2.8 litre 2 stroke.. I ran it for a year as a charter boat. Remember, the engine was set high for speed so it was kind of "skittish" to say the least. It would certainly keep you awake though.

Daniel · 12 August 2005, 19:04

I'm begining to wonder if it was/is the same boat with those seats set high up in the back, but there is no evidence of any seating for charter in the front of the boat i know. The rear "bucket seats" are mounted on a (approx 300li) fuel tank???? Did the suzuki have twin spark heads?

Daniel · 15 August 2005, 18:01

As promissed, taken this morning on the way back from Calais!

(Prehaps JK can split this thread into something called "Vector RIBs"???)

hard1 · 15 August 2005, 20:38

Yup! That's a Vector Vagabond allright, and a very smart one too. I think that looks a later model than mine. Bucket seats mounted on "dry" lockers. 300 litre tank lined with EsplosoSafe below deck. Seating for 7 with 'V' seats forrard (4) 2 on cockpit front and 1 next to driver in bucket. Much too dangerous (for the bench seated passengers) with any sea running so it had to go, although I had considered fitting toe straps for the front seats. Yes The Suzi was twin spark heads and at full chat, the Floscan would show 120 litres per hour!!!!

Got quite attached to it - it was so different from any other RIB. Sorry to see it go...