Plastimo Tubular radar reflectors

Rupert Bear · 09 June 2005, 10:19

Anybody have problems with these falling off the boat?
The first one I fitted fell off the first day it went out, was replaced FOC and fitted with an additional bracket to steady it and lasted a year till the wife took it off on a yacht prow.
The new one fitted last week lasted less than six miles without the bracket.

Now plastimo say this is a rare event but the twice I have fitted one soley using their bracket for support it has fell off within the first few miles by the lug on the bottom shearing. It is supposed to be for a powerboat and and it wasn't as if it was rough.
Before calling and complaining has anybody else had the same problem?

Biggles · 09 June 2005, 11:06

Interesting,

I was thinking of getting one of them. Guess I'll wait now tho'

Richard B · 09 June 2005, 11:58

The only way to fit tubular reflectors is using cable ties through the eyelets at each end. Any other method is futile. The "bracket at one end" fitting just isn't suitable for a RIB.

Viper · 09 June 2005, 12:08

Same here

First one, bracket broke: second one, broke again same place...

Now held on with cable ties.

Neal · 09 June 2005, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

The only way to fit tubular reflectors is using cable ties through the eyelets at each end. Any other method is futile. The "bracket at one end" fitting just isn't suitable for a RIB.

Not sue if same make but our bracket did not even make it to sea, as Richard said cable ties each end works well .I know with it tied along the top of the A frame it not the correct mounting but my view it was better than nothing.

Rupert Bear · 09 June 2005, 12:58

I did fit the one that lasted a year with a small bracket near the top which seemed to work.
I made and fitted one to the new one too but unfortunately it came loose and off the reflector went (I put in a plain nut as it was all I had at the time and was going to replace it with a nyloc...............

)

codprawn · 09 June 2005, 13:27

Is fitting a radar reflector to a commercial rib a legal requirement??? If so does it matter if it works???

The reason I ask is that many of the ones tested in a boating mag recently were next to useless!!!

Basically only the active seemee annd the larger echomax were any good - also the larger trilens.

Richard B · 09 June 2005, 13:32

Strictly speaking, it's a legal requirement for any RIB, in fact any craft putting to sea!

The Garfish · 09 June 2005, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

If so does it matter if it works???

downt bee a twatt yew twatt. de articul sed orl de reeflektors waz crapp. wot thay didunt tel yew waz dat thay fownd owt a weak layter dat de raydar waz fukt

gArf

Rogue Wave · 09 June 2005, 21:42

cable ties for me

Tim M · 09 June 2005, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Strictly speaking, it's a legal requirement for any RIB, in fact any craft putting to sea!

This confuses me. I read this somewhere (SOLAS regs?) - my take on it was that is the boat is small (can't remember the exactl length now) you had to have one if it was "practicle" to do so. Now, for me, without an A frame, it isn't really without it being terribly in the way on the transform (won't work in any case). Who decides what is practicle, and could I get sued or otherwise screwed over if I had an accident becasue say a big ship couldnt see me?

Richard B · 09 June 2005, 22:10

You're right.

The definition of "practical" in this scenario is anyone's guess. It's agruable that it would be "practical" to fit an A-frame to your RIB...

Actually, to be pedantic, the word that they use is "practicable"!

Check out: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/solas.pdf

Tim M · 09 June 2005, 22:16

Definintion of practicable: "capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are" and "capable of performing in accordance with applicable specifications, available at a reasonable price and within a reasonable period of time"
which implies to me that I can reasonably use my boat at sea without a reflector....

Richard B · 09 June 2005, 22:19

you eaten the dictionary for your dinner?

codprawn · 10 June 2005, 03:18

Only really big reflectors seem to work ok - many are just a token effort - so what is the point? They would probably condemn you if you DIDN'T have one fitted but what about a crap one??? Just goes to show token efforts are more important than common sense!!!

Scary Des · 10 June 2005, 07:43

I think the issue here is that being seen is to your advantage what ever the law says, so by fitting a token reflector it is only you who will suffer. If you read the test reports on reflectors you’ll see that the basic catch rain reflectors perform well for the money and one of these fitted to a pole on the transom would be a very cost effective solution

Des

Rupert Bear · 10 June 2005, 08:25

Most of the small cheaper reflectors are useless, however fitting one satisfies the requirements to fit one and in the event of an accident and/or insurance claim keeps you on the right side of the regs.
For the size of RIB's I would ever own the large effective ones are far too large and expensive so keeping a good lookout is a better option especially considering that relying on a radar watch on a large ship to stop something running over you is not the most reliable method there is.
Next boat will probably have a see-me but I am not convinced totally by any active system as yet, how would you know it was working?

codprawn · 10 June 2005, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupert Bear

Most of the small cheaper reflectors are useless, however fitting one satisfies the requirements to fit one and in the event of an accident and/or insurance claim keeps you on the right side of the regs.
For the size of RIB's I would ever own the large effective ones are far too large and expensive so keeping a good lookout is a better option especially considering that relying on a radar watch on a large ship to stop something running over you is not the most reliable method there is.
Next boat will probably have a see-me but I am not convinced totally by any active system as yet, how would you know it was working?

Actually the see mee has a warning light or buzzer to let you know when it is "painted" - useful because it lets YOU know about other ships in the area!!!

It is so typical of this day and age - as long as you fit one you will be ok - even if they are totally unsuitable and don't work!!!

I think I will go for the tri lens from Viking - easy to mount on an A frame and not too expensive at £120 - also happens to work pretty well. Had fun trying to find one but these seem to sell them:

http://www.marine-super-store.com/po...der=4&format=2