Fitting a Rib in a garage

[deadsquirrel]

Sorry but another newbie question. If my garage had an opening of 2.15 and the Rib im looking at has a width of 2.3 would deflating the tubes slightly be an option as long as the side is protected to avoid chaffing damage? Asking for a friend

[beamishken]

Yes fine but probably best to reinflate once inside as flat tubes dont sit well imho

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[deadsquirrel]

thanks Beamishken. So many questions and slowly getting there so really appreciate your advice mate.

[jeffstevens763@g]

As BK says, I once knocked a hole for the drawbar through the back of the garage to fit mine in

[hinckley_steve]

Hi deadsquirrel and all,

I have just done precisely this to accommodate my new Excel. Fairly wide beam for a 4.2m boat at 2.2m, and on paper the boat would fit… just (the drawbar has to go between my hot water cylinder and workbench!) …yet my garage door like yours is only 2.1m.

This was one of my agonising concerns pre-purchase and remained a worry until I proved it possible, but I can tell you it works! Albeit with a few minor practical limitations.

I set up some old fenders in the doorway to prevent scraping the tubes, but not sure these are necessary. The tube weight makes them sag nicely and the entry was easier than expected, but they do need to be returned to 50% pressure or more to store.

As mentioned I have a very tight fit, leaving only perhaps 10cm around it. Boat needs positioning very centrally. Also space is too small to reach plug sockets or shelves easily, but I have a ‘crawl space’ beneath the tubes to get around the boat, or I can climb through, but this wouldn’t suit everyone.

Height of the door could be an issue and worth checking if you have an A-frame or similar. I have to unscrew the navigation light (easy twist on/off).

I have also considered the ease of reinflation and have installed a connector to enable pump to run directly from the boat battery. It might help speed things up or allow some early starts by enabling me to drive 100m up the road to avoid waking my neighbours!

All in all, I’m pleased with the set-up. I have pretty much given up the entire garage, but soooo much better to have the boat indoors at my home.

All the best,

Steve

[lakelandterrier]

Also think about height on the trailer if you have A frame or VHf antenna, for the latter you may need a folding one.

[beamishken]

My rib fits in my garage fine but I had to take my radar & nav lights off the hard boat

[Limecc]

Originally Posted by beamishken

My rib fits in my garage fine but I had to take my radar & nav lights off the hard boat

Nice Regal Ken.
Is it me, are your RIB tubes soft in the photo?

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Limecc

Nice Regal Ken.
Is it me, are your RIB tubes soft in the photo?

Yeh the shed gets roasting on sunny days so I always let the tubes down a bit but it was a cold day so they were kinda soggy in the picture

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[lakelandterrier]

That's garage and a half

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by beamishken

My rib fits in my garage fine but I had to take my radar & nav lights off the hard boat

Everyone's dream garage! Space for a few more in there too :-).