RIB Finishing Kit – Anchor & Fenders

[RichA]

Scoping what I'll need for a new RIB that I hope to be getting soon. The RIB I am looking at is a 4.8m Zodiac w/60 HP outboard.

The likely use is Salcombe estuary and local beaches; anchoring for a few hours whilst we are on the beach.

• What would be the best weight/length Anchor for this boat? Thinking 2kg Claw and 5m chain.

• Are Fenders worthwhile for a RIB. Say 3x Size1?

Thanks.

[Matt]

Fenders - yes. Load of people say no - but in reality, the toob is intended as a functional part of the boat, not just a big fender. Fenders are cheap and help look after your tubes. Tubes are not cheap. I'd perhaps not go with quite such big fenders, just for storage and convenience sake, as I would on a hard boat, but I would still have them. In fact, was tied up alongside a revenger 29 rib yesterday as we drifted around chatting and we had fenders out.

Anchor - If you mean what I'd usually call a bruce anchor, then yeah, I like them and would follow the standard calculators for anchor/chain/rope size & length specs.

[RichA]

Thanks.

Size 0 feels like it would be was probably a little on the small side.

Size 0 - 30 x 9cm / 12 x 3.5"
Size 1 - 48 x 12cm / 19 x 5"

Maybe 2x F0 and 1x F1.

[Matt]

Depends what fits well. On my 28’ hard boat I have 4x size 2s.

Without being able to see how they fit/hang, I’d go on the larger side, size 1, 4 of them (2 for each side) But it’s just guesswork depending on how well they hang on your boat.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by RichA

Thanks.



Size 0 feels like it would be was probably a little on the small side.



Size 0 - 30 x 9cm / 12 x 3.5"

Size 1 - 48 x 12cm / 19 x 5"



Maybe 2x F0 and 1x F1.

I think on a rib you are really using fenders to protect from abrasion so diameter is not critical whereas on a hardboat the larger diameter adds the ability to deform under pressure which the tubes already have. The other advantage of big fenders is to manage the curvature of the beam - again most ribs are fairly straight along the “gunwale” so don’t need this. If the things you tie up to are not flat then you might want diameters that can manage this - harbour walls and ladders are probably the main “lumpy” things to tie up against.

On a 4.8m rib storage space will be a premium.
Harder decision is probably whether to put out fenders on the other side which might encourage/invite rafting or not put anything out and come back from the pub to find someone else hasn’t bothers because you are a rib! (Those people have probably tied to the handles or your tubes or seat backs too for good measure!).

[Voodoo]

We use these the articulated rib fenders from Force 4......they are brilliant



http://www.force4.co.uk/item/Plastim...RIB-Fender/WX6

[Matt]

They look excellent. The purpose of my note about size was that I've found the very smallest size can roll themselves up and out. The bigger ones with a bit more weight and length seem to be happier to keep hanging. But those force 4's look perfect for the job.

[Voodoo]

And they still work if the boat gets caught under the pontoon.....

[GuyC]

It's a bit early for talking Xmas but they might appear on my list. I've never seen those before but they look really good.

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by RichA

• What would be the best weight/length Anchor for this boat? Thinking 2kg Claw and 5m chain.
Thanks.

The general rule of thumb for anchors is 1kg per metre.

Jimmy Green Marine are quite a good source of info for anchoring stuff.

[treerat]

I like these - https://boatworld.co.uk/boatworld-pw...RoCN9YQAvD_BwE one fo teh companies does a 3 section version that fits nicley around a tube.

Was planning to get some but ended up with large foam squares cut from pool floats - cut to fit into the locker space.