Closed bow

gtflash · 09 October 2011, 08:58

Anyone ever thought of fitting a closed bow deck to their rib?? Or done it. There's got to be a better use of all that space up front than storing fresh air!!

Courageous · 09 October 2011, 09:18

Do you mean like a hard nosed osprey?

willk · 09 October 2011, 10:07

Before you do it, ask yourself what you want it for. I mean that for storing other than fresh air, you'll have a huge space right at the bow, ideal for stuffing with crap that will weigh the nose down. Of course, having mentioned stuffing, a good deck will be a real asset if you do stuff.

Redbay went down this road years ago, incorporating a fairly modest tube height bow locker with a decked top. They proved popular and were fitted on lots of open and wraparound boats. Someone finally requested one to be extended back to meet the front of the console, as the little deck there was fairly pointless and looked like a wave catcher. At this point the boat had a full enclosed deck forward of the console/wraparound, accessed via the console hatch or a deck hatch. And around then someone said, hey, we should streamline all this.....

gtflash · 09 October 2011, 10:47

The boat has over 5m of open space. It's kinda pointless, when I have limited storage space. It could be a great crawl in cuddy or dry storage. She will carry the weight, as an ex racer there is a bow ballast tank under deck over 4m long by the width of the boat. (hence my lack of storage).

biffer · 09 October 2011, 12:16

I've done it. I filled Neil Harvey front in on his rib. It just happened to be with a full cabin

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Oldun · 09 October 2011, 12:29

Have you not seen an old FLATACRAFT FORCE 4. Look at Nasher's pictures of the very model. haevy duty velcro holds it in place to cover a good sized fuel tank PLUS. Some can advise that it has worked well for 40 years. oldun

biffer · 09 October 2011, 13:48

Just look at the old sr4/5m I think what they did with the dash , dodger and seats were a stroke of genius

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gtflash · 09 October 2011, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

I've done it. I filled Neil Harvey front in on his rib. It just happened to be with a full cabin

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Biffer, how much does the cabin weigh? Approx? I wonder if it could be cut into my racing console

biffer · 09 October 2011, 20:29

You could make it very light with foam etc. Probaly 100/150 kgs. If you're going to keep your console you wouldn't need the full monty

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Cookee · 10 October 2011, 08:28

Here you go .........

biffer · 10 October 2011, 09:08

as with John, there you go, we craned the mould on to see what it would fit like before we went too far on the Shakespeare rib

Neil Harvey · 10 October 2011, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

as with John, there you go, we craned the mould on to see what it would fit like before we went too far on the Shakespeare rib

but we only did that after i had taken loads of measurements of my rib and biffers mould, which convinced me it should work and was worth a go.

I also took side on pics of mine and biffs rib, scaled them roughly, and literally cut out the pic of his cabin and stuck onto pic of my boat - it looked like it could be spot on, which offering up the mould with my console removed proved

It's a good result, but still have to fit it out inside

Courageous · 11 October 2011, 07:14

Nice work boys

Idrian · 11 October 2011, 15:13

A russian example of a closed bow on a smaller rib.

Korsar Inflatable boats. Launch RIB Roger

biffer · 11 October 2011, 17:39

The Russian one gives me a good idea. I reckon I could do that as a cover with fibreglass stiffening poles and little cups glued on the tubes to take the rods

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Poly · 11 October 2011, 18:40

Biffer,

You're basing it all on this aren't you

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....5&d=1223404468

biffer · 11 October 2011, 19:33

Bugger me that's ugly

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jwalker · 11 October 2011, 20:11

IMHO it depends on the boat's bow shape and how and where you use your boat. It was one of the options I considered when designing my boat layout but it was rejected in favour of an open front deck. I often boat lighthanded and for safety reasons standing on an elevated bow to deploy or lift and anchor, rocking and rolling in a fource 4-5 was too dangerous an option. I you have an anchor windlass then this might not be a consideration provided it is reliable at releasing and stowing the anchor, many are not. Also, I use the front deck as a social area and it has protection from the sea breeze provided by the raised bow tubes, which is useful.

If there is a possibility of a stuffing in your boating then a front deck will need to be strongly built to carry and deflect the substatial weight of water.

gtflash · 12 October 2011, 09:08

Thanks gents. Some serious food for thought. There is some structural work to do down below deck, But thinking about biffers boat, the deck would probably come up in the front for that sort of install. My only concern is I want to maintain the low slung bucket seat style, having neary been spat off my other boats jockeys. I have given up on them and being up high on a deck.

As for stuffing. Is it possible?? Always in any boat surely.

but with twin steps and tapered tubes. I'll let you know......

biffer · 12 October 2011, 09:29

Tapered tubes would need a bit more thought and probaly that mould couldn't be altered enough to suit your boat. I'm assuming you want something low that you can crawl into or stuff gear into. That is quite doable

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