If only they made a ...

[ScottyDog]

Hi

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding solutions needed to (what seem) simple problems. I shall have much time on my hands over the coming 3 months and will have some great facilities at my disposal. It would be great to have some positive impact on perhaps common problems.

It seems there must be lots of things that may not be available commercially that a couple of hours brainstorming and a bit of stainless, electronics, etc. could resolve. I have full CNC machining, mould making/casting, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical prototyping and small scale assembly facilities as well as a personal interest in improving RIBs and their application.

If there is anything that seems universally appealing it may be a good seed for a manufacturer to nurture. Meantime I am happy to put together a few prototypes which can be tried by anyone with suitable needs.

No requests for carbon fibre trailers, that might be taking the p**s.

Cheers, great forum, by the way.

[Scary Des]

It’s not a problem on my boat but I know that a lot of people would love to have a ladder that worked over the tube

Most ladders are designed to fit on the transom but on ribs this is a busy little area. I know that some people have fitted ladders to the A frame and this appears to work, I have also used webbing type ladders but I find them award.

Is the type of thing you had in mind?

Des

[geoff]

How about a set of trailer wheels where the brakes will still work after one season's use. Having just replaced the axle of my trailer after only four years, the inside of the wheel drums was brown mush, even though it was regularly serviced. It can't be right to continually dunk a load of steel and iron into salt water and then drive on it and expect it to continue working.
Rapide are offering disc brakes (maybe this is the answer).
And dont get me started on brake cables!!

[ScottyDog]

Yes, that's exactly the kind of thing. Thanks.

I shall have a think about it as that would be useful for many people with RIBs, especially as the tubes are very high for a youngster to climb.

I could easily bend some stainless on our rig and TIG on some rungs.

Away to the drawing board (or AutoCAD more likely)

[ScottyDog]

Hi Geoff

We spoke some time ago, great work on Boatlaunch. Am I right in thinking you bought the RIB instead of a yacht for cruising in Scotland ?

Anyway, the disc brakes look like a good idea but time will tell.

One thing I have tried is a piece of tubing aimed at the drums, through a hole in the back of the drum (aids drainage), I then used a stored pressure fire extinguisher (water not AFFF) and gave a quick squirt which flushes the salt water away instantly. Portable and refillable from any air line. Obviously it is advisable to rinse the hubs as soon as possible with fresh water.

Thanks for the idea, perhaps a small rig to allow easy attachment of the water supply and remove the need for crawling around on the floor would be good.

Keep 'em coming.

[Hightower]

Foot straps that you don't trip over and that'll attatch without the need for going below the deck!

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Foot straps that you don't trip over and that'll attatch without the need for going below the deck!

On my rib they are surface mounted (sorry on pics), just big squares of hypolon with the rubber straps sticking through, still I keep tripping over them . How about Big Velcro and woolly boots?
Des

[ScottyDog]

Thanks for another deserving idea.

Again it is another thought that crossed my mind when reading a post about a coded rib with footstraps that got in the way when using the boat socially. I had imagined a small stainless plate with slots that would allow the straps to be threaded in from above and easily removed with the minimum of tools. The plates could be bolted into captive nuts on the deck. If you have any thoughts please keep the feedback coming.

I think I have seen a side mounted boarding ladder (with a 'U' shaped top) offered as an optional extra by one of the RIB manufacturers, does anyone know who that may have been ?

[Scary Des]

Another common thread is how to use the anchor line over the tube.

Things like bow rollers and fairleads never quite work as well as they could mainly because the tube is not solid.

The Navy us an elaborate system of frames and rollers to stop the rope cutting the tube, maybe a removable ladder that was deployable over the front of the boat that doubled as a solid fairlead might have some merits . Des

[ScottyDog]

Good idea, Des. I shall look up some of the posts about fairlead problems.

Spreading the load seems like a good alternative use for a small ladder.

I think I may have found some use for my spare time.

[Jelly]

Des
Got me thinking on that, For Roped access SRT work ( rope work on buildings / clifss etc abseiling and going back up) some one came up a roller on a frame that was connected to another via mallion rapides on each side all these make a chain that lead the rope over the edge without damaging either.
Wonder if something like that would work on RIB tubes.

Got to re inforce / add wear pads on the tops of my bow tubes as the springs have worn the top layer of hypalon off in about 10 minutes when a ***# came passed to fast to the pontoon when I was at a briefing a couple of weeks ago. - You often have a bow line keeper but the springs do most of the work and they run at an angle that makes it harder to add a protcetor.
Rgds
James

[ScottyDog]

Something like the Petzl Caterpillar ? (For going round sharp edges)
It would spread the load across the tubes.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Another common thread is how to use the anchor line over the tube.

Things like bow rollers and fairleads never quite work as well as they could mainly because the tube is not solid.

The Navy us an elaborate system of frames and rollers to stop the rope cutting the tube, maybe a removable ladder that was deployable over the front of the boat that doubled as a solid fairlead might have some merits . Des

Anchor line over the Tubes should not be a problem. We teach Achoring by attaching the Painter (attached to the Bow eye) and allow the eye to take the weight. The remaining anchor warp can be left aboard and used to recover anchor when required. Difficulty still comes however when retriving due to the warp rubbing on the tube!!

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Anchor line over the Tubes should not be a problem. We teach Achoring by attaching the Painter (attached to the Bow eye) and allow the eye to take the weight. The remaining anchor warp can be left aboard and used to recover anchor when required. Difficulty still comes however when retriving due to the warp rubbing on the tube!!

It can still happen! I had my boat on a boy earlier this year the weight was on a short line from boy to D ring, then the painter also went to the boy & back over the tubes BUT very loose as a back up!
After a day & night of force 9 gales the loose line had started to where through the top layer
I too kneed where patches on my bow!
Nick

[codprawn]

A good ladder would be great and a curved plate to fit over the bow for anchor recovery.

One trailer maker has just started offering disk brakes - about time to!!!!

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by codprawn

A good ladder would be great and a curved plate to fit over the bow for anchor recovery.

One trailer maker has just started offering disk brakes - about time to!!!!

Which one?
Des

[codprawn]

One of the big boys - sbs or bramber or similar - can't remember at moment - read it in a boat mag other day!

[ScottyDog]

The only people doing disc brakes on boat trailers are Rapide who are now owned by Dixon Bate (as far as I know)

[Manos]

Originally Posted by Scary Des

It’s not a problem on my boat but I know that a lot of people would love to have a ladder that worked over the tube Des

There are and are made in South Africa and also a more simple version in the UK. I have both and if you want any photos will gladly take a few. Sorry Des

[Scary Des]

Originally Posted by ScottyDog

The only people doing disc brakes on boat trailers are Rapide who are now owned by Dixon Bate (as far as I know)

Yes they are owned by Dixon Bates but there website doesn’t make reference to disc brakes. Des