Attaching a Cabin to a Rib

[hrcap]

Hello All

I have just sold my sailing boat and am looking at buying a rib and fitting a cabin to it.

What would you guys suggest would be the best method of attaching the cabin to the rib deck?



Many Thanks

[beamishken]

Assuming you dont already own the boat its Probably more cost effective to buy a boat with a cabin already fitted there are a few about if you look hard enough
Seems a bit of a hard way to go finding a boat suitable to convert then finding a cabin to fit it

[hrcap]

Hi Beamishken

Thank you for the swift reply.

I make parts out of carbon fibre so will make a cabin to fit. I am however unsure of the best way to attach the cabin, whether it be bolting to the existing deck, glueing, or making joining with fibreglass.

[Andre]

Originally Posted by hrcap

Hi Beamishken

Thank you for the swift reply.

I make parts out of carbon fibre so will make a cabin to fit. I am however unsure of the best way to attach the cabin, whether it be bolting to the existing deck, glueing, or making joining with fibreglass.

the fact that you make parts does not mean that you can produce it cheaper / better. You will have to consider the windows, console, doors where the fuel inlets & vents will be. will you have access to the fuel tanks ect. Nevertheless an interesting thought.

[beamishken]

I guess it depends if you want it permanent or removable I've seen both bolted and glassed I'd take a look at some existing boats for ideas there's lots of options so just need to find something to suit your needs

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Assuming you dont already own the boat its Probably more cost effective to buy a boat with a cabin already fitted there are a few about if you look hard enough
Seems a bit of a hard way to go finding a boat suitable to convert then finding a cabin to fit it

Without a doubt...IMO .that's the way to go!
Unless you want a long term ...time consuming..expensive ....lesson learning...developmental nightmare odyssey....that'll very probably produce a Dogs Dinner worthless piece of Crap...
with no Pedigree or credibility...which when you do finally hit the water may very well (again very PROBABLY ) handle like a Big Heavy Bag of the proverbial... That is!
Leave it to the Pros and buy one

[willk]

Originally Posted by hrcap

I make parts out of carbon fibre so will make a cabin to fit. I am however unsure of the best way to attach the cabin, whether it be bolting to the existing deck, glueing, or making joining with fibreglass.

Welcome to RIBnet. What type of cabin were you thinking of - a basic wheelhouse for shelter or something more elaborate? Generally they are glassed so they can take a battering.

If you buy a used RIB then you will have to remove the existing controls, console and probably seating - probably the fuel tank fittings too. It will add up to a lot of time and money. Cabin boats tend to behave differently to open boats - the performance will change and a good boat could become a bad one.

[hrcap]

Hi Guys

Thank you for the input so far, its very useful to hear everyones opinions.

I am looking for somewhere between 7.5 - 8.5m (preferably diesel) with a cabin including a berth up front and an enclosed steering position / cabin, for use as a fast weekender.

I have had my eye on the market for the past year as I have been waiting for my previous boat to sell and am struggling to find something to fit the bill, hence beginning research into a custom build.

[breezeblock]

humber done a detachable cabin held on with velcro and ratchet straps if I can dig the pictures out I will post them

[breezeblock]

here we go found them

[willk]

Oh man! I've seen a frontal of that before, not great - but dear God - what a horrible interior!

[breezeblock]

its not pretty but its functional and if it gets a bit more use out of your boat I can't fault that .its better than days getting cancelled due to shit weather I think with some proper sculpting this would be okay

[Poly]

Everything Mollers ever said about cabin ribs just came true!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Poly

Everything Mollers ever said about cabin ribs just came true!

As much as it pains me....I'd have to agree!

[Seaflyer02]

Have a look at this what Humber have for sale for the size of RIB you are looking for; Ribworld - rigid inflatable boats, ribs for sale and rigid inflatables from Ribworld by Humber

[willk]

Originally Posted by Seaflyer02

Have a look at this what Humber have for sale for the size of RIB you are looking for; Ribworld - rigid inflatable boats, ribs for sale and rigid inflatables from Ribworld by Humber

Ah ssschtop - me sides are hurting!

[gtflash]

It's been done before. I presume whisper got this mould when he took over from biffer

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/no-secre...ore-36831.html

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/fast-for...fit-70426.html

Some of the early scorpions cabins rested on tubes and were glasses down over tubes. From memory though the valve holes remained open for access and one was nearly lost at sea cause of it. Think they changed that design

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by hrcap

I make parts out of carbon fibre so will make a cabin to fit. I am however unsure of the best way to attach the cabin, whether it be bolting to the existing deck, glueing, or making joining with fibreglass.

I've done what you're planning and to answer your question about fastening to the boat, I chose a hull where the deck is not flush with the internal tube flange so there is some hull side above the deck. The cabin mounting points are bolted through the hull side so access is available for mounting both inside and outside the hull. Plainly, there's more to it than a few bolts through the hull but that's the method of fastening.

If you're going to embark on this build project, consider, swither and plan and then do it some more until you're very sure of your requirement before you start. Particularly, you must decide whether you will live in it for any length of time because that with dictate much of the build plan and materials. Also, consider where you are likely to do your boating because your cabin may need to withstand a serious beating. Then, model it in cardboard to get a final feel for it from inside and out. The model need only be a couple of hundred millimeters tall but it's an essential exercise when designing in my view.

So, your living requirements, your structural requirements and the aerodynamic and styling requirements....get out the resin and brushes, what are you waiting for!?....

[GuyC]

Ribtec 1070 for sale UK, Ribtec boats for sale, Ribtec used boat sales, Ribtec Inflatable Boats For Sale 2000 RIBTEC 1070 WHEELHOUSE - Apollo Duck

It's a bit bigger than the size you've indicated.

I think to achieve a berth rather than a shelter, 8m is possibly a little short for a cabin rib.

If you are happy to erect a 'tent' at the end of the day, it widens your options considerably but from your questions it sounds like you want a proper cabin.

In terms of attaching a cabin, I'm a fan of Sikaflex. You do need to prep the surfaces properly though.

Is a rib the best type of boat if you are after an 8m cabin 'cruiser'? If you were to compare a rib against a Beneteau Antares 8, for example, you get a lot more bang for you buck out of the Beneteau.

As it's more of an affair of the heart than the head, I'd be looking at the advert at the top in more detail and persuading myself that 2 extra metres wasn't too much!

Good luck with the search.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by jwalker

I've done what you're planning and to answer your question about fastening to the boat, I chose a hull where the deck is not flush with the internal tube flange so there is some hull side above the deck. The cabin mounting points are bolted through the hull side so access is available for mounting both inside and outside the hull. Plainly, there's more to it than a few bolts through the hull but that's the method of fastening.

If you're going to embark on this build project, consider, swither and plan and then do it some more until you're very sure of your requirement before you start. Particularly, you must decide whether you will live in it for any length of time because that with dictate much of the build plan and materials. Also, consider where you are likely to do your boating because your cabin may need to withstand a serious beating. Then, model it in cardboard to get a final feel for it from inside and out. The model need only be a couple of hundred millimeters tall but it's an essential exercise when designing in my view.

So, your living requirements, your structural requirements and the aerodynamic and styling requirements....get out the resin and brushes, what are you waiting for!?....

OR YOU COULD...
Forget the Cardboard and Scissors and Sicoflex and search around for something new OR used (Professionally built) you can ACTULLY look at and get aboard!
A finished article which at your leisure you can appraise...The Size/Room Test drive...Guage the Feel/Performance/Balance/Sea Keeping...economy...inspect the quality of Build and finish....AND give a "serious beating" in the first instance...for real!..
At the very least you'll then have some idea if THAT.... (or ANY) Cabin Rib is going to be right for you
As for Biffers Cabin RIB's...he built quite a few...and did it for a living!