My Winter Project

NSS · 25 May 2010, 16:09

Hi all

Not much compared to some of the beautiful RIBs you guys own, but this is my first RIB so I've started small. It's an Avon Rover 340. Bought the bare hull (second hand but in mint condition) and set about fitting it out myself over the winter. Motor is a Tohatsu 18hp 4-stroke, I imported the console from Canada (didn't like what was available here in the UK), built the seat boxes, seats are Tempress Fish-ons from the US. Battery is housed under the helm seat, fuel tank in the rear seat box. All the cabling is discrete (wherever possible at least). Launched for the first time at the weekend and after 'tweaking' the tilt/trim she lifted up on the plane and zipped across the Solent to Cowes and back. Hope you like it.

matt h · 25 May 2010, 16:16

That looks fun!!, I got a similar one,great fun and a whole day out for £25.00!!

NSS · 25 May 2010, 16:22

Hi Matt

Nice one! I looked at a couple of Avon Jet RIBs but really wanted a project that I could fit out as I wanted it. Funny thing was that the local Avon dealer told me the layout I wanted wasn't possible. I'll have to take it down and show him sometime. Still, his loss is my gain and I've had a lot of fun sourcing the bits and building it myself (not to mention that I saved about £3.5k on what he quoted me!)

PeterM · 25 May 2010, 17:31

A fantastic looking little RIB - very 'professional' looking that puts 'real' manufacturers to shame .

Nothing wrong at all with small boats . My 4m is huge fun and still makes it to Yarmouth in January !

Pete

Screaming04 · 25 May 2010, 17:33

Looks nice! Where exactly did you get the console from?

NSS · 25 May 2010, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

A fantastic looking little RIB - very 'professional' looking that puts 'real' manufacturers to shame .

Nothing wrong at all with small boats . My 4m is huge fun and still makes it to Yarmouth in January !

Pete

Thanks Pete, kind words indeed.

NSS · 25 May 2010, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screaming04

Looks nice! Where exactly did you get the console from?

Cheers for that. Console came from http://www.grandboats.com/cons.htm but is not actually shown on their site. The one I bought is the CL-07 which is similar to the 01 but with the stainless grab handle rather than the perspex screen and, most importantly, it is a two piece console which hinges open for easy access to the electrics & steering hub.

I'm fortunate to have family living in Toronto and one of them works for Air Canada so shipping cost me nothing!

matt h · 25 May 2010, 17:42

love petes boat, i think ive made that clear in previous post

I took this 320 down to poole last weekend, what awesome fun, cheap to run, cheap to tow, and space left over in the garage.

I do agree with aformentioned comments, looks a great fitout

just checked out the link,
Great consol "for the minimalistic ribber"

NSS · 25 May 2010, 18:10

A few more pics...

Erin · 25 May 2010, 20:39

That all looks very smart. I agree that there is a certain amount of satisfaction fitting it all out yourself.

One word of caution though, I notice you have used the twist/turn padlockable latches to secure your rear seat box. I've had these fail on my boat as the turnbuckle is only rivetted onto the base plate, and not very well at that. I imagine it could be a bit of a safety issue if they failed on a choppy crossing somewhere.

NSS · 25 May 2010, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

That all looks very smart. I agree that there is a certain amount of satisfaction fitting it all out yourself.

One word of caution though, I notice you have used the twist/turn padlockable latches to secure your rear seat box. I've had these fail on my boat as the turnbuckle is only rivetted onto the base plate, and not very well at that. I imagine it could be a bit of a safety issue if they failed on a choppy crossing somewhere.

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep a close eye on them.

Chris.C · 26 May 2010, 20:14

looks great! - very smart. I've been working my 340 the past month or so - I've got an Outhill JC12T console. Probably slightly too heavy for the boat but very comfortable.

It needed a good clean up when I got it and I've since added the backrest and lower handles to the console and tidied up the cables with washing machine outlet tubing - slice it in down the centre and it does a very neat job of bunching and hiding the cables with some zip ties every now and again.

I've got a Lalizas pole light coming which I'm going to mount on the back of the backrest? Probably too short for the transom at 65cms.

NSS · 27 May 2010, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris.C

looks great! - very smart. I've been working my 340 the past month or so - I've got an Outhill JC12T console. Probably slightly too heavy for the boat but very comfortable.

It needed a good clean up when I got it and I've since added the backrest and lower handles to the console and tidied up the cables with washing machine outlet tubing - slice it in down the centre and it does a very neat job of bunching and hiding the cables with some zip ties every now and again.

I've got a Lalizas pole light coming which I'm going to mount on the back of the backrest? Probably too short for the transom at 65cms.

Hi Chris. Nice set up, and suspect your Outhill jockey console is lighter than my marine ply seat boxes and seats. I see you have the Honda 20hp. Almost bought one of those myself, with power tilt/trim, but couldn't get the price down to one I was willing to pay.

I have the same 65cm Lalizas pole light on mine, mounted on the back of the rear seat box.