deck holes in SR 5.4

zubol · 05 March 2010, 11:08

Hello,

Could you please explain to me for what my SR has the front holes (look at the picture)?
What I should do with them? Leave as it is or remove material and open them?

Also, I would like to paint the deck (inside and outside). What kind of paint should I use?

Cheers.

chewy · 05 March 2010, 11:13

The holes are vents for the flooding hull, at the stern you'll have had a big hole that lets water in at rest to increase stability.

Rogue Wave · 05 March 2010, 17:24

It increases stability at rest and low speed, at high speed the holes are out of the water so they have no effect.

whether to block them up or not is up to you but if I had the boat for diving or fishing I'd leave them open, if I was using it for cruising then close them up

i wouldn't paint the outside of a hull if I could help it, but if you must use Antifoul. 2 pack deck paint will be fine for the inside

Knot Yet · 05 March 2010, 19:34

What he says

Seriously the RIBs were designed with holes to flood and my personal opinion is that you should leave be as that was the design perfected over many decades.

And of course it sounds pretty cool to say you have a RIB that floods - anyone fancy a trip out

Downhilldai · 06 March 2010, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knot Yet

Seriously the RIBs were designed with holes to flood and my personal opinion is that you should leave be as that was the design perfected over many decades.

Were they?

Avon used to offer the option of a sealed hull on Seariders. Not sure whether this is still the case.

Knot Yet · 06 March 2010, 16:37

Thats interesting DHD - I did a lot of research on Avon before committing and one of the things I did was to ring Avon and ask about the holes in the hull and the benefit of blocking them up - my words above are quite literally what I was told by them - seems like you can't even trust the maker

TQ for clarifying

J

Downhilldai · 06 March 2010, 16:47

I suppose it depends on who you speak to at Avon.

Knot Yet · 06 March 2010, 17:02

I guess so and I'm sure that's always the excuse for differing information

doralmark · 06 March 2010, 18:21

I recently purchased a 5.4 and must admit it took a little getting used to, the fact the thing had holes in it, I am going to use mine for tubing,boarding and skiing and as i have not had a chance to try it out yet I'm not sure weather to block them or not, I'm thinking as long as I have enough power to get it out of the hole then I will leave it as it is. In a nutshell what I'm trying to say is it all depends on what your using it for If its not broke leave it

Downhilldai · 07 March 2010, 16:30

If you decide to seal it off, 25mm end plugs for round tube work well in sealing up the holes in the bow.

zubol · 08 March 2010, 09:24

Thank you very much for your answers guys.
Right now, holes are closed and the boat is quate stable. I use it for skiing and cruising.

So, looking at your expiriense and answers, probably I'll leave it as it is.