Attaching stuff to my A-frame...

DGR · 27 November 2004, 12:04

What's the best way of permanently attaching things to the a-frame, without having to resort to welding?

I'm trying to mount 2 liferings to the a-frame and although they come with a plastic clamp to attach to 1" tubes (like a rail on a yacht) - mine are 2" tubes and so won't fit directly - they came with a stainless steel mounting bracket/adaptor - but there isn't really anywhere to attach it to!! The only flat bit of steel on the side of the A-frame is where the Nav lights are, and apart from obscuring them, they would look stupid stuck up that high.

The only thing I've though of so far is 2" ss u-bolts and a ss plate to give me a flat that I can attach the bracket to.

Any other ideas?

Dylan...

Pics of the bits/problem attached...

Scott2 · 27 November 2004, 12:16

cable ties?

attach them onto that box you've got at the back, flat instead of upright?

DGR · 27 November 2004, 12:45

I just KNEW someone would suggest cable ties!! The whole assembly keeps moving round on cable ties until they rest on the tubes.

I had thought about putting them flat - but I think that they would slide out of their cradles. I'll have a look to see if there is any obvious way of keeping them in...

Dylan...

Scott2 · 27 November 2004, 12:47

or other option, mounted upright on the box at the back, on the sides.

Jono Garton · 27 November 2004, 13:33

Hi Dylan

If you buy the next plastimo one up around £60, it comes as a kit with a cover that straps around your a frame and a long line on a roll attached. The ones you have there will not meet coding requirments unless you put drogues on them or long lines (ill post a pic when i'm back 2 moro)

Failing that take the plastic bit of the ones you have, get two jubilee clips and fasten them on (i did it this way on the pro sports).

tue · 27 November 2004, 13:45

My flag pole is held on with 2 heavy duty stainless steel exhaust clamps. They work like jubilees, but have a nut and bolt to clamp up rather than the screw and thread on the jubilee. Will take a pic tomorrow if I remember. They are very strong (I can drive at 20knots with my 'A' flag up and it doesn't budge and inch).

This is the best I have of one at the moment

nickjaxe · 29 November 2004, 20:05

Stainless jubilee clips.

Nick.

Simon B · 30 November 2004, 12:08

We use a lightning banding type product from Cromwell tools its basically endless jubilee clipping that you can cut to length its in stainless and can be done up quite tight. Its good for emergency hose clips

Pete7 · 30 November 2004, 13:42

Dylan, thats a really nice boat, do it properly, frame off and in to have two new plates welded on and polished up. Won't be much if you take the frame off yourself.

Pete

Simon B · 30 November 2004, 17:22

Get a stainless fabricator to do it in situ using a TIG set there wont be any spatter just a nice clean weld, no need to take A frame off. Only thing to be wary of is welds near to the base of the frame might conduct heat into the deck or to the tube and melt/burn it.

Pete7 · 30 November 2004, 18:11

and the GPS lead / lights wiring inside the A frame legs.

Jono · 30 November 2004, 18:18

...and polishing it in situ..nice

Simon B · 01 December 2004, 11:05

Is it common to route cabling through the tubing in the A frame? Not seen it on the boats I've been on, mind they tend to be similar!!

swginn · 01 December 2004, 11:16

Yes its very common, I don't think I've only ever seen a handful wired on the outside of the A-frame and they tended to be older RIBs. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Looks neater and gives the cables added protection IMHO.

Jono · 01 December 2004, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by swginn

Yes its very common, ..... Looks neater and gives the cables added protection IMHO.

...and a good source of annoying rattles, when not done properly!

slimtim · 01 December 2004, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

...and a good source of annoying rattles, when not done properly!

Just out of interest, how do you stop the rattles? Must be difficult to stop the wires hitting the inside of the tubing?

Tim

DGR · 01 December 2004, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimtim

Just out of interest, how do you stop the rattles?

For the small rattles that just niggle me, I use the noise cancelling lever on the console. You push it all the way forward, and then I can't hear anything!!

Seriously, the cables on mine are all bound up in a type of 'soft' plastic wrapping, which (I think) must either deaden any noise from the cables in the frame, or be stiff enough that they don't bang around. I've been sat on the engine box when Nicky has been driving at various speeds, and I've not heard any rattling noises in the a-frame. The nav lights, GPS and VHF cables are all internal on mine.

Dylan...