Show us yer arse (SR4!)

Shaz · 02 September 2009, 22:55

Right, another proper newbie question I'm afraid, but I want to get this done before October and I'm really nervous about any kind of hole-drilling / serious work on the thing. I'm missing the D-rings on the transom for attaching correctly to the trailer - the previous owner just used to strap across the tubes. I've been strongly advised against doing this, and I can see why as they do appear to be marked from it, so I don't want to make it worse.

Question is then, any advice for fitting D-rings ?? I've found a few pictures on the Searider gallery thread which help, if anyone has any that show them in detail, or any advice, please bring it on.

Thanks very much for your help.

JSP · 03 September 2009, 07:13

Does your SR4 have transom legs?

ollyit · 03 September 2009, 07:33

http://www.ollysrib.741.com/images2.html

sorry about pop ups, free web space

9D280 · 03 September 2009, 12:20

I think I know where JSP's going with this......

Replace the bolts that hold the legs to the transom with M10 (may have been M12, I can't remember) eyebolts, or a slightly cheper version - standard hex bolts with eyenuts.

Worked for me!

JSP · 03 September 2009, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

I think I know where JSP's going with this......

Replace the bolts that hold the legs to the transom with M10 (may have been M12, I can't remember) eyebolts, or a slightly cheper version - standard hex bolts with eyenuts.

Worked for me!

If Shaz's SR4 has legs fitted.

Shaz · 15 September 2009, 20:58

I wasn't quite sure what you meant by legs so was going to get a picture (but haven't got around to it) ... do you mean the diagonal struts between the transom and the deck ? There is a bolt to the outside of that but it looks kind of important so didn't want to mess with it.

I think I will go with strapping around the A-frame for now (one strap each side + winch and rope on bow), and try to get some expert advice at the gathering. I'm only going to manage 1 or 2 more outings before then anyway, if I'm lucky, and I still have lots of bits of trailer to try and replace as it's looking quite rusty.

Olly's pictures are really good, I will have to look at them more carefully, thanks for that.

chewy · 15 September 2009, 21:03

Could you strap around the outboard if you used a suitable pad to stop chafe?
How secure is the A-frame?

Shaz · 15 September 2009, 21:27

It seems very secure, there's about 4 bolts each side and it feels pretty solid. I put a strap round the outboard as well but I thought that was just to keep it to one side rather than trying to swing across.. it looks like it should need more than that to reduce any chance of it sort of twisting sideways if the road is bumpy ? I may be being paranoid of course as it is all quite new to me.

chewy · 15 September 2009, 21:57

I usually put my steering hard over to port so none of the steering ram is exposed to the elements.
I don't think you need to strap the engine to one side. Try moving it from side to side by hand, if you struggle to move it by hand it shouldn't move when been towed.
None of the RIB's I've used have had the engines strapped when been towed.
The A-frame sounds strong enough to lash to.

Hope this helps?

9D280 · 16 September 2009, 09:17

Those bolts are reasonably important, but at the same time, it's not difficult to replace them.

I did that, used bolt form the inside, big washer (to spread the load) Nylock then an eye nut. Theory being if the eye nut ever worked loose, the nylock would keep the strut in place. The main reason I did it was for a towing bridle, the ability to tie to the trailer was a bonus! If you can strap to yur frame, I guess the problem solves itself! (I didn't have a frame on mine)

As for strapping engines while towing, I should maybe add to the discussion if your engine isn't Power trim, you will probably need to strap the leg down as you don't have that nice hydraulic ram to hold it in place. I use a block of wood (takes the strain off the "keep it up" bracketry), then have a short length of dinghy mainsheet (12mm) that is lashed over the leg & fixed to the trim adjusting pin. Like chewy I also tun mine "hard to port" to keep the steering toob grease free of road dirt.