How to mount inland gold license plate on FRIB

adamjs16 · 04 March 2021, 13:06

I have just brought an Excel Vanguard 435.

I have brought a gold license to enable me to take it on inland waterways in the UK. The plates are sent through email and you need to print them yourself.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to mount them to the FRIB?

jeffstevens763@g · 04 March 2021, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

I have just brought an Excel Vanguard 435.

I have brought a gold license to enable me to take it on inland waterways in the UK. The plates are sent through email and you need to print them yourself.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to mount them to the FRIB?

are you mounting to both boats?

Fenlander · 04 March 2021, 13:24

What I do with a river licence on a SIB is to print it out at a sensible size then laminate and fix to the inside of the transom.... small screws... glue... bluetak... double sided tape etc.

Pikey Dave · 04 March 2021, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

I have just brought an Excel Vanguard 435.

I have brought a gold license to enable me to take it on inland waterways in the UK. The plates are sent through email and you need to print them yourself.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to mount them to the FRIB?

Are there any specific rules as to where it has to be mounted or is it “where practicable”?
If you can put it on the transom, get a local sign shop to do you a cut vinyl sticker.

Steve509926 · 04 March 2021, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

I have just brought an Excel Vanguard 435.

I have brought a gold license to enable me to take it on inland waterways in the UK. The plates are sent through email and you need to print them yourself.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to mount them to the FRIB?

Hi Adam,
Do you have two boats or are you thinking your Vanguard is a Frib? If so your Vanguard is actually a SIB not a Frib.
I would be very suprised if you are ever asked "why haven't you displayed your licence"? I would print it laminate it and carry it with you every time you use a canal or river.

adamjs16 · 05 March 2021, 17:49

They say that I must "fix one to each side of your boat so that they can be clearly seen from the outside" so I don't think I am permitted to mount it to the transom so I will need to attach it to the tubes.

Do you think the vinyl sticker would stay on the tubes?

I could also look into laminating them but I'm not sure how to attach them to the tubes. It can't be permanent as I have to renew it each year.

I would prefer to have them mounted even though the risk of me getting stopped for it is low.

I thought it is a FRIB as it has a folding metal floor?

Thanks for your help!

Steve509926 · 05 March 2021, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

They say that I must "fix one to each side of your boat so that they can be clearly seen from the outside"

That statement clearly indicates that they are expecting the licence to be displayed inside a cabin ie: a narrow boat

I would still just carry it with you.

The only other thing you can do to stay within their rules, is fix it to a backing and hang it from the hog rail. I would suggest something like a car number plate.

A SIB can have either an airdeck, ply deck or an aluminium deck. A Frib is a small folding RIB

Pikey Dave · 05 March 2021, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

They say that I must "fix one to each side of your boat so that they can be clearly seen from the outside" so I don't think I am permitted to mount it to the transom so I will need to attach it to the tubes.

Do you think the vinyl sticker would stay on the tubes?

I could also look into laminating them but I'm not sure how to attach them to the tubes. It can't be permanent as I have to renew it each year.

I would prefer to have them mounted even though the risk of me getting stopped for it is low.

I thought it is a FRIB as it has a folding metal floor?

Thanks for your help!

Make 2 boards with the license printed/stuck on. Put a bit of string through the boards & tie/clip them to the lifelines.
You have a SIB, an FRIB is a proprietary boat with a folding GRP hull.

Pikey Dave · 05 March 2021, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve509926

That statement clearly indicates that they are expecting the licence to be displayed inside a cabin ie: a narrow boat

I would still just carry it with you.

The only other thing you can do to stay within their rules, is fix it to a backing and hang it from the hog rail. I would suggest something like a car number plate.

A SIB can have either an airdeck, ply deck or an aluminium deck. A Frib is a small folding RIB

Snap[emoji106]

Steve509926 · 05 March 2021, 22:03

Hi Adam, would I be right in thinking your maiden voyage will be on the Thames?
Don't forget, we love pictures and a description of how it goes.

adamjs16 · 06 March 2021, 02:45

My maiden voyage certainly did not go to plan. Car broke down, transporting and assembling, launching and landing the boat where not as simple as I expected. I even bent the metal pole that one of the transom wheels was mounted on.

Despite all this I had a great time on the water. I'm very excited to take it out again. Though I certainly have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to when lockdown is eased and I can take power boating level 2.

I have just been furloughed, so I am considering going on a multi-day boating trip and staying in hostels or camping over night, when lockdown is eased.

I have to thank Pikey Dave for recommending Excel. I visited their site before his recommendation. It looked so old and was not easy to navigate which put me off. Though I'm glad he made me reconsider as despite this the boat is really sturdy and well built.

Here is a link to some videos from the day:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/E1hVUax8vFrXuw9u9

I will look into your suggestions for the license plates. I might call to ask if it is necessary for a SIB.

Steve509926 · 06 March 2021, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamjs16

My maiden voyage certainly did not go to plan. Car broke down, transporting and assembling, launching and landing the boat where not as simple as I expected. I even bent the metal pole that one of the transom wheels was mounted on.

Despite all this I had a great time on the water. I'm very excited to take it out again. Though I certainly have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to when lockdown is eased and I can take power boating level 2.

Good that you enjoyed it so much. Trust me assembly, launching and landing does get easier the more times you do it.