Dive Bottle Rack at Bow?

[diver 1]

I'm refurbing a 7.4m Delta and as it will sometime be used for scuba diving I'm looking to mount some deck fixings for my bottle rack.

Ive fitted quite a heavy outboard (max for boat) and want to keep weight forwards also wanting to keep 6ft clear rear deck space for potential to camp on the boat at times.

The boat will have dual console and 4 x single jockey seats installed so I'm thinking of mounting the bottle rack forward of the console, broadways across the boat.

It fits well here I can still deploy the anchor and open the console hatch easily enough however I'm thinking the motion at the bow might be a bit excessive for something like this and my concern is either the whole thing complete with dive cylinders being ripped out of the deck or the likelihood of cylinders breaking free.

Anyone else had much experience of ribs with forward mounted bottle racks, pros and cons?

thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by diver 1

I'm refurbing a 7.4m Delta and as it will sometime be used for scuba diving I'm looking to mount some deck fixings for my bottle rack.



Ive fitted quite a heavy outboard (max for boat) and want to keep weight forwards also wanting to keep 6ft clear rear deck space for potential to camp on the boat at times.



The boat will have dual console and 4 x single jockey seats installed so I'm thinking of mounting the bottle rack forward of the console, broadways across the boat.



It fits well here I can still deploy the anchor and open the console hatch easily enough however I'm thinking the motion at the bow might be a bit excessive for something like this and my concern is either the whole thing complete with dive cylinders being ripped out of the deck or the likelihood of cylinders breaking free.



Anyone else had much experience of ribs with forward mounted bottle racks, pros and cons?



thanks

No experience as such, but I’d share your concerns re. The weight & mechanical forces on the mountings. The other thing to consider is access, will you have enough room to get the bottles (rigged?) Past the console to the kitting up area without lifting them onto the tubes, easy to drop one over the side.

[Maximus]

I'd say you're plan is sound...although another option might be HEAVY DUTY anchored points and ratchet straps especially if only a couple of sets of gear?...ultimately everyone configures their own RIB to suit themselves and thier usage.

If you need a Rack and with keeping the Camping option it's probably a forgone conclusion anyway...plenty Lager Ribs do have passenger seating in front of the Consul with little or no detriment...although the Consul (may) be but a little more aft.
The High Bow sheer on the Delta and its overall size will help together with heavyish engine may well will help ballance the RIG with forward mounted Bottle Rack.....
Weight towards the aft of any RIB is to be avoided ...whereas weight on the nose is only really of consequence in a BIG following seas when stuffing the Bow off a "Biggie" is the Danger .....when you probably won't be diveing anyway
I dived in all sorts of weather for years in RIBs some a lot smaller ...who didn't even have a Bottle Rack....we got by.
Go for it

[jeffstevens763@g]

we lay ours down on the deck with ratchet straps across and if possible retaining pieces to stop movement

[diver 1]

Good point ref moving them to the back, but with a few bodies onboard it shouldnt be hard to pass them back. We only dive single 15s anyway normally. Havent dropped one yet, but there is always that risk. I think I might go for it, the fixings I'd use for the bottle rack can easily have M10 male eye bolts wound into them and then the rack could be left at home and exchanged for some foam matting and ratchet straps instead to secure cylinders flat, or indeed, any other things that need securing down.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by diver 1

Good point ref moving them to the back, but with a few bodies onboard it shouldnt be hard to pass them back. We only dive single 15s anyway normally. Havent dropped one yet, but there is always that risk. I think I might go for it, the fixings I'd use for the bottle rack can easily have M10 male eye bolts wound into them and then the rack could be left at home and exchanged for some foam matting and ratchet straps instead to secure cylinders flat, or indeed, any other things that need securing down.

My last RIB had a 6bottle rack fitted by Ribcraft during the construction. It had 8 x M10 big heads glassed into the deck to hold it down.

[Salty Pete]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

we lay ours down on the deck with ratchet straps across and if possible retaining pieces to stop movement

Same here Jeff. I only carry one tank ratchet strapped to the deck. Centre of gravity low, not in the way. Even use it as a foot stool.

[treerat]

I've dived with a few that have front end cylinder racks, they work well as long as there are enough people on board / kit / weight at rear to counter balance.

When diving with mine I have a cylinder attached to each seat back with a strap, allows for good support in a balanced location.

[SimonCh]

My previous RIB (it was only 5.4m) had a bottle rack infront of the console. I always felt the console should have been further forward as the boat always felt light in the bow as I never had bottles on it! Can't see it being an issue on a boat your size though.