Is an A-FRAME usefull??

[Andy]

I like the look of my A-frame (See page 12 of RIB International, we are the Blue RIB in the background). It makes our boat look complete. Yes it cost the earth and weighs a load, but I think boats that dont have them look half finished!I have never seen a pole system that works as well. However I like to be educated, if people have pics of things that work, please post them.

And also the A-frame is ideal for hanging the love swing from, directly above the throbbing outboard!! oooo

[ashbypower]

Andy, now there's an Idea

Brian

[Manos]

Cheers Brian

Most of the RIBs we see here they have nothing on them except nav lights
Andy that is a GREAT idea!!

[Hightower]

I think A frames are very useful for all the before mentioned and have to agree that a RIB without one looks half finished, but what the hek is a "love swing" the mind boggles?

Andy

[Manos]

Hightower this will make your sex life go to another plane The LOVE SWING

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Manos

Hightower this will make your sex life go to another plane The LOVE SWING

Manos, It will only Plane if he goes fast enough otherwise it's just displacement

Brian

[Manos]

is the wine you know not enough

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Hightower

what the hek is a "love swing" the mind boggles?

You asked!!

http://nawtythings.com/swing.html

Seriously, if you have a radar reflector, 3 large lights, a radio aerial, GPS recevier pod, flags and a deck light ..... thats a lot to stick on poles. Also poles are not as rigid. Most wobble, especially with the weight of attachments at the top. A frame is far more stable, even a single tube frame is fixed at 2 ends.

[Manos]

Andy the pole I'm thinking about is SS about 1.5 mtrs high, you can have a top lights (all-round white, 2 all-round red lights when you do not have power) and a VHF antenna plus the flag.
The GPS antenna can go on the consol and despite the popular believe that it loses signal if you put anything on top of it ours doesn't for some reason.

[swginn]

Originally Posted by Manos

The GPS antenna can go on the consol and despite the popular believe that it loses signal if you put anything on top of it ours doesn't for some reason.

Yep, we've got ours there, even though we have an A-frame as it will be simpler to change when we upgrade our GPS.

Have never lost signal even covering it with hands, jackets and people leaning over it. I think it's a common misbelief that people have.

[Nickytynick]

Manos,

I had my A-frame built in 2" 316 S-Steel tube and fitted it using substantial plating and bolts to provide a solid tow point to drag my mates around on a plank!
Works well !
(Not the best Pic in the world but you get the idea)

Nick

[lc0021]

hand place for tying up the back of the boat AND - it's a handy place to mount rod holders for those of us who occassionaly fish (like for those times when the love swing is off ...)

On that note - what does a woman get every month that lasts 4 days ???

[lc0021]

..... her husbands salary!

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by lc0021

..... her husbands salary!

Four Day's what she doing Saving!!

Brian

[Manos]

Originally Posted by Nick Hensel

Manos,

I had my A-frame built in 2" 316 S-Steel tube and fitted it using substantial plating and bolts to provide a solid tow point to drag my mates around on a plank!
Works well !
(Not the best Pic in the world but you get the idea)

Nick

I'm sure it does but you could also have used D rings bolted on the transom. we have those fitted on all boats and are used for towing skiers, kneeboards, donuts and broken down boats from time to time

[Pete7]

Having now owned a rib with just a pole I have to say it has its advantages, and yes there are some disadvantages as already mentioned. But getting that engine cover off is much easier with a pole. This one is about 3" in dia, holds the nav light, VHF and even takes the A flag.

horses for courses...

Pete

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Manos

I'm sure it does but you could also have used D rings bolted on the transom. we have those fitted on all boats and are used for towing skiers, kneeboards, donuts and broken down boats from time to time

For wake boarding you want the tow as high as possible & yes D ring work for water skiing but it helps to have it higher again!
I also have a cleat on either side of my A frame, 2 rod/flag pole holders.
It also gives people something to hold on to & stop the flying of the back!
Not that I do not warn them when opening the throttle
Nick

[Nickytynick]

Manos,
I have the D-Rings also which we use for skiing but that extra height doesn't 'alf make it easier to get air on a wakeboard!
Nick

[Manos]

I see Nick. Now I understand the reason that it takes a bit of doing on the knee board. Cheers, will try this one

[Jelly]

As you are debating the A frame at the stern against the single pole.
May I point out the option of moving a smaller frame onto the console a la Redbay.
I first saw these on the camera versions of the camel challange boats, if you have a wide enought console (I don't think singles are wide enought and hence strong enough for it).

I was thinking about it for mine but cost became an issue, but if you were spec'ing from new its a different thing.
By having it there you get short cable runs for the GPS radios etc and if you wanted Radar it would be high enough to avoid the crew.
Another point is that if you were towing etc you have a clear path to aft avoiding the normal thing of getting the tow lines wrapped round the frame.
Rgds James