A frames - Do we need them?

[Richard Selman]

Agree with the part fashion thing. I just don't think the boat looks right without something sticking up at the back. Like the tail of a plane. If the engine head sticks above the tubes it looks OK but when it is flat like on an inboard it looks like there is something missing. Must be the Top Gun music in my head......

Like an R8. To me it needs a spoiler.

Definitely notice the drag on mine. Think I have lost 2 knots off the top.

Can be a pain though. Made an a*se of tuning in tight spot in our marina and managed to get a bowsprit stuck through it. Miss twins......

Quite like letting someone else drive and then stand my back against the frame. Also fun to do this when no one is driving (hurrah for NFB steering).

[willk]

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

Quite like letting someone else drive and then stand my back against the frame. Also fun to do this when no one is driving (hurrah for NFB steering).

You're a very naughty man!

[willk]

Originally Posted by 9D280

and the only way to really reduce that sort of nonsense at the stern is an A- frameless inboard diesel!

I could never warm to the idea, but then I saw this one. When I say saw, I actually paced it across the North Channel. It really grew on me. Clean lines, no faff. Couple of ScotSeats in there and it would be a Contender.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Max...

Kind of useful to hang onto when moving about the boat but a PITA lowering and raising it every time to go in/out the garage.

At least you can get it in the garage Max....

[Rokraider]

Originally Posted by PeterM

But to be fair if someone is missing that long the RNLI & coastguard will have been called so are far better equipped to deal with any search.....?

The ESO will alert the Coastguard and they will organise the search, but we will still be out searching, it would be negligent not to.

[9D280]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

As a Safety Boat, you do not get stood down until everyone is accounted for. If somebody is missing you could all be searching into dusk or later, in my case out in Hayling Bay / The Solent.
it is not uncommon for fogbanks to come rolling in, in which case a GPS is invaluable, even in broad daylight.

Rok, I agree for your setup nav etc make sense, however.....

Originally Posted by TwoBob

we are on fairly sheltered inland water with the clubhouse never too far away so peeing over the side is not really a problem. I can see the bring a Topper aboard working but again being inland if we have a cold "victim" aboard we leave their boat whilst we take them ashore and fetch it later.

Horses for courses.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

As a Safety Boat, you do not get stood down until everyone is accounted for. If somebody is missing you could all be searching into dusk or later, in my case out in Hayling Bay / The Solent.
it is not uncommon for fogbanks to come rolling in, in which case a GPS is invaluable, even in broad daylight.

I'm not convinced - the GPS antanae can easily be mounted on the console (or even inside it with better ones) or integrated into the plotter. Lights if required especially only occasionally could easily be rigged on a removable pole. Indeed they could even be battery operated like that - if only for emergency use. MOST sailing clubs have no real need for an aframe, and some downsides to getting stuff caught in it (sheets, sails, booms etc).

Originally Posted by hobbit555

Gets your VHF Ariel away from head height. It wont then fry your brain if there is any truth in that rumor.

For most clubs a rubber ducky type ariel and low power is probably fine for normal operations anyway.

wee

presume the OP is sailing on a resevoir where such things are not encouraged!

Somewhere to attach the drag causing flags that some ribs can't seem to be without!!

actually for certain club duties this may actually be a reasonable use. Flags can help designate boats as having specific duties (safety, judge, 'press' etc) or help differentiate similar looking boats.

Originally Posted by Rokraider

The ESO will alert the Coastguard and they will organise the search, but we will still be out searching, it would be negligent not to.

Do your crews practice searching at night / in fog much? if its a genuinely perceived risk that justifies an aframe for the accessories then it probably also warrants some training.

Originally Posted by TwoBob

Lot of food for thought - we are on fairly sheltered inland water with the clubhouse never too far away so peeing over the side is not really a problem. I can see the bring a Topper aboard working but again being inland if we have a cold "victim" aboard we leave their boat whilst we take them ashore and fetch it later.

There is another reservoir local to you where none of the safety boats have a-frames. Do you always carry "abandoned boat" tags/labels (whatever your local system is) for when you take a cold child ashore and leave their boat? I know some clubs who only do this at big events (when they perceive a risk of lots of abandonments) but who don't bother during weekly sailing.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Rokraider

The ESO will alert the Coastguard and they will organise the search, but we will still be out searching, it would be negligent not to.

Didn't mean to offend or anything like, but as Polwart has said night boating, then in bad weather , doing a search, then with added pressure of it being a serious incident can all add up to a huge workload....

Bt I'd still rather not have the frame getting in the way if its avoidable.

[lakelandterrier]

A-frame also useful for storage of lifebuoy / flare jar etc, giving more working room & less to get underfoot.

A-frame will also give some protection against swinging booms etc, and will give engine some protection from sheets etc. I'd prefer to be disentangling a rope from an A-frame than from around the engine.

All depends on your individual use & local conditions I suppose

LT

[Boats&Outboards]

From a trade point of view

If its fitted they are great, if it's not then I don't see the point in them anyway

Seriously though, I was quoted £1,000 for one to be fitted last month on a Rib. Now all things considered, I don't see the justification in that kind of expense. It won't add any more value to the package price to make it worth while.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[Maximus]

Personaly quite like an A-FRAME, for most of the reasons above.In the event ,(and my opinion) they represent an evolution since the early days of infatables..,i.e They would'nt have been developed,and exist on so many craft, in so many configerations... IF they were'nt useful!!
Like so many things on ANY Boat they are a matter of usage, personal choice,and preference.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Maximus

They would'nt have been developed,and exist on so many craft, in so many configerations... IF they were'nt useful!!

You got still fins on yer car then Maxi?

I suspect that Fashion has as much to do with it as Function.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by willk

You got still fins on yer car then Maxi?

I suspect that Fashion has as much to do with it as Function.

Pink one too! Bit of a 'Redgay' Pattern forming?

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Pink one too! Bit of a 'Redgay' Pattern forming?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Pink one too! Bit of a 'Redgay' Pattern forming?

I'll accept that from a Rubgay aficionado like yourself...

[kerny]

willk
Redgay supporter

Country: Ireland
Make: Quicksilver
Length: under 3m
Engine: Toohotsue 9.8 2T
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,262



Sorry willk I couldn't resist

[Jeff Hutcheon]

Originally Posted by kerny

willk
Redgay supporter

Country: Ireland
Make: Quicksilver
Length: under 3m
Engine: Toohotsue 9.8 2T
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,262

Sorry willk I couldn't resist

I use mine to stand on to see how far Dean is ahead, I can't afford radar,

[ncp]

Originally Posted by Boats&Outboards

From a trade point of view

If its fitted they are great, if it's not then I don't see the point in them anyway

Seriously though, I was quoted £1,000 for one to be fitted last month on a Rib. Now all things considered, I don't see the justification in that kind of expense. It won't add any more value to the package price to make it worth while.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

Without an A-frame, I'm at a loss at where to put my radar....but on a smaller rib, there may not be a point.

[joakimhansson]

For towing use a TurboSwing or a TowRescue

TurboSwing sleepbeugel - waterskiën, wakeboarden, funtuben

in uk from the c-fury team.

Very smart thing...

[willk]

Originally Posted by kerny

willk
Redgay supporter

Sorry willk I couldn't resist

Hmmm, just checked your Profile Kerny.

It says you're a "Member"...