Is an A-FRAME usefull??

[Manos]

I've been wondring and thinking whether an A-frame is such a usefull piece of equipment on a RIB.
What is its purpose (not to put nav lights on because you can put all those on a pole or on the console).
So why a RIB should have one? It increases weight aft which is bad thing and makes you slow as is completely non aerodynamic. Fishing traulers have one but this is for a purpose to heave the nets up from the sea.
Any ideas?? I have my own but I think that this may be an interesting topic for discussion. And who knows may be we decide that an A-frame is not usefull after all

[ashbypower]

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

Phew
Well I'm glad you said that considering I just spent £700 quid on a double A Frame today for my New Rib!! Cos the above is exactly why I bought mine

[Nick Hearne]

And they look cool

[Louise]

And, boys, don't forget they give you something to hang on to so you don't fall in whilst 'relieving' yourselves.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Phew
Well I'm glad you said that considering I just spent £700 quid on a double A Frame today for my New Rib!! Cos the above is exactly why I bought mine

Nauti, IMHO good move I forgot to mention that the additional height gives the VHF an advantage.

Regards

Brian

[Andy]

I find mine useful to climb on if I need more height ... for taking photos, for seeing divers etc. Its also very good to lean on when your hanging over the back looking at prop, echo sounder transducer etc. Good for flags, lights etc. Mine also acts as a bottle rack for diving cylinders.

Once I also saw a RIB loose it in the surf and the A-frame stopped the engine and boat internals from getting smashed to bits.

However I think its real purpose is to mount a self righting bag on.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Louise

And, boys, don't forget they give you something to hang on to so you don't fall in whilst 'relieving' yourselves.

Louise, I'll have to look around more carefully in the future

Brian

[Manos]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Hi Manos

We have Aframes on our RIBS, we mount Nav lights, GPS & VHF antenna, Flag poles for Ensign, RYA and "A" flag,
DRY Boxes (Same a on Dive RIBS) this gives us additional and easy to reach storage, frame is also usefull for connecting an elastic strap to when towing, this helps raise the tow line when slack.
I believe that the extra drag is minimal and the weight well with a large OB as a % the aframe is close to nil.

Regards

Brian

Also the look

But you can mount the GPS antena on the console, the flags on a pole aft together with the white round light on top and the VHF antena. Dry boxes you can put them in the double bottoms. You see I have A-frames on all of our boats too and just been discussing here whether they could have done without them.
I agree they look cool one plus point so far

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by Manos

But you can mount the GPS antena on the console, the flags on a pole aft together with the white round light on top and the VHF antena. Dry boxes you can put them in the double bottoms. You see I have A-frames on all of our boats too and just been discussing here whether they could have done without them.
I agree they look cool one plus point so far

Thanks MANOS need all the point I can get GPS Antenna on the consul yes but you can loose signal if someone "Shields it" from the sky view, OK on RIBS with seats but on Dive RIBS seats are normally a Luxury reserved for the helmsman everyone else sits /stands wherever. DRy Boxes can clutter the Doubles so by placing on the A gives more storage + point on a small RIB. I'll give you a point however for the Pole mounted Antenna and alround white.

Brian

[tim griffin]

yes they are very useful for all the above mentioned things , but all can still be achieved with a well designed pole for the addition of ariels , they are a pain when you have photographers onboard , they are useful for attaching life buoys to.dont like the flare boxes on them as this does create drag, they are useful for selfrighting bags as the only place to attach them, i guess its a bit like bull bars on a 4x4 if you like em fit em if a pole will do the same job fit it instead, think next rib we get for the school will have a light pole and lights fitted to the consul.
regards Tim
www.griffmarineservices.co.uk

[ashbypower]

Qoute" i guess its a bit like bull bars on a 4x4 if you like em fit em if a pole will do the same job fit it instead,"

You've confused me there TIM (Easy I know) I'll stick to my Bull Bar


Regards

Brian

[Manos]

Ashby for a dive boat is different and I agree with you.

Tim as always no argument there. Re the new boats we are thinking to go the same route you say. Is a cheaper option for starters.

[chrisallse]

Not to mention the flood lights, louder hailer, radar reflector, hand cuffs etc.

[Manos]

Originally Posted by chrisallse

Not to mention the flood lights, louder hailer, radar reflector, hand cuffs etc.

Yes Chris exactlly!!
How did you know that I have all those on my 700. You forgot to mention the SS fishing things for the lines and the horn.

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by chrisallse

Not to mention the flood lights, louder hailer, radar reflector, hand cuffs etc.

Good point chrisalle I Knew I forgot something, DoH!! another senior moment. Ah well back to me bath chair.

Brian

[Hightower]

Wouldn't have anywhere to hang the trailer board if I didn't have mine!

[ashbypower]

Manos, The list appears to be Endless

Brian

[Manos]

Brian we are 4 people here debaiting the issue and reading the posts. We too think that an A-frame is quite usefull for ceratin uses i.e. dive boats and apart from the high the cost of putting one up we haven't come with anything else.
This is the reason I've asked to get some more ideas.

[ashbypower]

MANOS, Quite agree, you've asked a very sensible question and judging from the responce some good answers are coming back, and yes cost justification is difficult, however a lot of people do seem to follow the heart, cause they look
I see numerous ribs with A-frames and nothing mounted on other than Lights!!

Regards

Brian