A Part of the boat we don't often see

Nauti Buoy · 24 May 2007, 09:44

Just spotted Jon's Ribcraft 9m and the under deck layout. It's interesting the way different boat builders configure their under deck layout and materials used for the main deck. Ribcraft opting for the Marine Ply deck, Parker opting for the Moulded Deck. First time I have seen below the deck of a 9m Ribcraft.

How often does the buyer see what is below the deck?

Have attached 2 pics for comparison, both 9m Ribs and both gonna be Sea Safari set up.

1st Pic Parker 900 Baltic

2nd Pic Ribcraft 9m

Does anyone else have any other underdeck layout pics of similar size for comparison?

Jono · 24 May 2007, 10:15

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

GED · 24 May 2007, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

looks like a spray pump

timw · 24 May 2007, 11:39

Interesting...

What I've never really understood, is that the underfloor fuel tanks are presumably sealed for life once the deck is installed and bonded in.

If anything was to ever go wrong with fuel tank(s) is the only way to get them out by performing major surgery and cutting out a huge part of the deck? Why aren't large hatches normally fitted?

Nauti Buoy · 24 May 2007, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by timw

Interesting...

What I've never really understood, is that the underfloor fuel tanks are presumably sealed for life once the deck is installed and bonded in.

If anything was to ever go wrong with fuel tank(s) is the only way to get them out by performing major surgery and cutting out a huge part of the deck? Why aren't large hatches normally fitted?

Parker fit large access hatches which are unboltable, above the fuel tanks so you can access/remove the tanks without having to cut up the deck.

Pic 1 Fuel Tanks under deck
Pic 2 More detailed shot
Pic 3 Best shot I have I'm afraid roughly showing the Fuel Tank Covers in place.

joakimhansson · 24 May 2007, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

How often does the buyer see what is below the deck?

Scorpion does.... Pics on every part, and even pics on other brand to compare.....

Jono · 24 May 2007, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GED

looks like a spray pump

...Spray gun for Gel/Flo..or a chopper gun?

timw · 24 May 2007, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Parker fit large access hatches which are unboltable, above the fuel tanks so you can access/remove the tanks without having to cut up the deck.

That's what I think should be the norm.

I wonder why it's not the same with other manufacturers. Perhaps they think the tanks and all the ancilliary underdeck fittings will outlast the boat?

Tim M · 24 May 2007, 15:20

It worries me that I can't get to the tank on my Solent. Should anything ever go wrong its going to be a matter of cutting the deck up to get to the tank

Dave Berry · 24 May 2007, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

Looks like a resin spray system to me. It speeds up the hull laminating process quite a bit. Any time you need to wet out some fibreglass you just spray it on and keep going. No need to mix pails of resin and go like hell before it sets up on you.

Just curious, what type of deck do people prefer - the hand finished marine ply version or the molded version? I am working on the plug for a 5m boat here in Canada and have not decided if I should make a deck mold.

timw · 24 May 2007, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

It worries me that I can't get to the tank on my Solent. Should anything ever go wrong its going to be a matter of cutting the deck up to get to the tank

Me too...especially as I've got expensive Tek Dek fitted.

Alan · 24 May 2007, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Berry

Looks like a resin spray system to me. It speeds up the hull laminating process quite a bit. Any time you need to wet out some fibreglass you just spray it on and keep going. No need to mix pails of resin and go like hell before it sets up on you.

Just curious, what type of deck do people prefer - the hand finished marine ply version or the molded version? I am working on the plug for a 5m boat here in Canada and have not decided if I should make a deck mold.

The beauty of a molded deck is that there is no chance of a ply deck getting wet through a crack/leak/damage and ultimately rotting out. The downside of course for the manufacturer is that an additional mold needs to be created to do this. Ply decks are cheaper but molded decks better IMHO. (& I've owned RIBS with both.)

I do like those fuel tank hatches on the Parkers though. Seems an eminently sensible idea but again drives additional cost (at least in the design/set up phase). Not even Scorpion do that AFAIK!

gtflash · 24 May 2007, 16:13

moulded. Look sooooooo much better. Ive never got a real answer on how a moulded deck is fitted to the hull though!

Nauti Buoy · 24 May 2007, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

The beauty of a molded deck is that there is no chance of a ply deck getting wet through a crack/leak/damage and ultimately rotting out. The downside of course for the manufacturer is that an additional mold needs to be created to do this. Ply decks are cheaper but molded decks better IMHO. (& I've owned RIBS with both.)

I do like those fuel tank hatches on the Parkers though. Seems an eminently sensible idea but again drives additional cost (at least in the design/set up phase). Not even Scorpion do that AFAIK!

Parker make all their Plugs and Moulds in house, which makes it cost effective. Personally I prefer the moulded deck as it is not only practical, non slip, but also enhances the final product.

Attached is another picture showing a 4 tank set up. These are standard sizes, 2 x 225l & 2 x 100l the sizes cannot be increased as this would only compromise the strength of the hull.

bedajim · 24 May 2007, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Parker make all their Plugs and Moulds in house, which makes it cost effective. Personally I prefer the moulded deck as it is not only practical, non slip, but also enhances the final product.

Attached is another picture showing a 4 tank set up. These are standard sizes, 2 x 225l & 2 x 100l the sizes cannot be increased as this would only compromise the strength of the hull.

Are the Parkers all their own design etc

James

Nauti Buoy · 24 May 2007, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Are the Parkers all their own design etc

James

The Baltic is 100% Parker Design, the RS Hull and the 630 Range are a UK design, the moulds were purchased in the UK circa 1999, perhaps Andre can comment.

Andre · 24 May 2007, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

The Baltic is 100% Parker Design, the RS Hull and the 630 Range are a UK design, the moulds were purchased in the UK circa 1999, perhaps Andre can comment.

Correct. We first introduced the Baltic range in 2003. To save time and money we put the tube and a madeshift console on the plug. Installed twin optimax 150 and let loose Dog Phillips and his brother Stephen into the Bay of Gdansk. They came back with thumbs up and the rest is history. Ribex 2004 was the first introduction to the UK market of the Baltic hull. Perhaps the cabin version was not the right choice at the time but Ribex 2006 and 2007 only confirmed that there are very few 9 mtr hulls that can match our Baltic.

nugent · 24 May 2007, 19:46

defo chopper set up,, not as strong as laying layers of mat .......

jwalker · 24 May 2007, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Anyone identify this piece of equipment......?

You're a trouble maker.

Jono · 24 May 2007, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

You're a trouble maker.

No shit, Sherlock........

To Quote Ribcraft's website... " Chop Strand Mat and roving clothes are placed and laminated into position by Ribcraft's highly skilled laminators. All stages of construction are closely monitored by computer to ensure correct humidity and temperature "
...so it couldn't be a chopper... could it?