Methods/Materials for building a Pilothouse

boatster_sr4 · 30 November 2007, 02:42

I've looked at "marine wood ply & fiberglass" or "high density foam & fiberglass". Has anyone tackled building a nice roomy pilothouse on a smallish 18' Avon Searider like rib? How about building methods?

Nos4r2 · 30 November 2007, 07:56

Not quite what you're asking but how about building something like this instead? It was on Ebay a while back.

If I found one (or had the room and knowledge to build one) for my Searider I'd snap it up as it has the advantage of being removable. Looks like it's a bit more aerodynamic than a pilothouse too.

boatster_sr4 · 30 November 2007, 09:18

That looks just about perfect. A few small design changes (aesthetically) and I'm in. I wonder how much weight that adds to the boat? I would also want to take out the center console and put a leaning post/bolster for stand up driving.
I've experienced after several outings that standing up works best for me, especially in the rough.

I have saved pictures of a few of my own too. The one similar to what you've posted is made by Zodiac Hurricane for the 5.9 meter ribs. The other is a prefab pilot house that bolts onto the hull. I like the idea of having a little cuddy though.

Now the question is what materials should the pilot house be made of? I think to keep the rib performing well they'd need to be light as to not throw off the cg and balance of the hull.

Nos4r2 · 30 November 2007, 09:32

Personally if I was going for the cuddy I'd have a setup similar to the separate seat/helm you built on your sr4 and have the option of standing or sitting.

Besides, it looked very smart and wouldn't detract from the boat with the cuddy removed.

Poly · 30 November 2007, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

I've looked at "marine wood ply & fiberglass" or "high density foam & fiberglass". Has anyone tackled building a nice roomy pilothouse on a smallish 18' Avon Searider like rib? How about building methods?

Possibly a bit big for what you are thinking... http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...hlight=tractor

boatster_sr4 · 09 December 2007, 03:00

Here are some drawings I have for my pilothouse.
The grey rectangles on the A frame are going to be fuel tanks mounted over the tubes. I'm thinking this will increase internal space in the boat.

The cabin is going to be grp laid over a foam core to keep it light. My only concern is how it will blow in a cross wind.

What do you think? Is there some potential problems or improvements that could be mad to this design? I want to keep the pilothouse under 200lbs in weight. I was thinking of mounting on top of the tubes like the photos above.

Limey Linda · 09 December 2007, 03:07

I would not mount the fuel tanks there. It will seriously effect the C of G of the boat and have an adverse effect on stability.

boatster_sr4 · 09 December 2007, 03:25

I was thinking of that. Here are two ribs that I've seen that put the tanks on the A frames though. One of them is a regular poster here on rib.net (the name escapes me at the moment).

jwalker · 09 December 2007, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

What do you think?

With a front cabin, if you are stopped in the water, your boat will blow stern to the waves. However, with the tanks and the cabin you might end up floating beam on which could be a little uncomfortable. Just a thought.

Rogue Wave · 11 December 2007, 01:19

I loved that Nissan Patrol and was very fond of the Sea Rider.too

boatster_sr4 · 03 February 2008, 00:06

Well,

I've been messing around in 3dStudio Max. Here is what I have. The back part of the pilothouse thats green all the way to the floor is going to be made of canvas and can roll away. The hole in the front of the pilothouse will have a canvas cover to block from the wind. When sleeping at night I am going to use a canvas pop up like tent with tent poles to cover the bow section of the rib.

Neil Harvey · 03 February 2008, 09:03

are you goin to have some clear sections in the green canvas side sections as well? otherwise I think your vision will be seriously hampered.

boatster_sr4 · 03 February 2008, 22:24

Yes. I didn't model in the side windows. I'm still roughing out the dimensions. There is going to be side windows and icing glass (?) on the canvas roll down as well.

BogMonster · 04 February 2008, 10:44

You can use almost anything for a pilothouse... this one even has a sunroof

BumbleAbout · 04 February 2008, 16:12

And "alpine windows" (it's a Landrover thing) - fantastic !

tango1 · 16 February 2008, 11:55

http://www.sacs.cz/cs/nafukovaci-clu...y-s-600-mamba/
where, how, etc would you start to form this mould?

kitten · 16 February 2008, 12:06

Hull, fwd liner, deck.

tango1 · 16 February 2008, 13:02

can you expand a little please?

boatster_sr4 · 05 March 2008, 03:30

Here is the latest design refinements. I'm much closer to a final design. I'm going to use Joubert Okoume bs 1800...(?) 3/8" for the pilothouse. It will be mostly painted wood with structural use of fiberglass and polyester resin. I'm not exactly sure on the finish yet but it will be mostly made of Joubert Okoume plywood.

boatster_sr4 · 09 March 2008, 21:55

I think I have the color scheme down. I few more progressions on the windows. I also modeled an A frame out of 1-3/4" diameter aluminum which has a nice hefty thickness to it. The pilothouse will be a glue and stitch assembly using Epoxy instead of Polyester resin. Any exposed wood will be sealed with epoxy as well. I will be getting the materials soon.