Rib restoration

[Wilko45673]

I am thinking of restoring an old rib 5m rib which has a 70hp engine. And I was wondering can I put the steering console to the side rather than the middle for a better seating arrangement or would it mess up the weight distribution?

[GuyC]

It might a little bit but you may be able to compensate with something else.

Whilst some people will rail against the arrangement not being symmetrical I think if it works for you, then why not. A side by side console ends up being asymmetrically loaded with one person on board.

Do some Googling of side console ribs.

[samt]

A lot of Avon Seariders were offset. This was my 4.7, came from the factory like it.

If its done carefully it can help counteract prop torque.

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by samt

A lot of Avon Seariders were offset. This was my 4.7, came from the factory like it.

If its done carefully it can help counteract prop torque.

I was always under the impression they did that so you can lay an injured person down rather than for performance reasons?

[samt]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I was always under the impression they did that so you can lay an injured person down rather than for performance reasons?

That is true, but if you do offset you want to go to starboard.

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by samt

A lot of Avon Seariders were offset. This was my 4.7, came from the factory like it.

Is the steering wheel also offset?
On my 4.7, the wheel was central to the console

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

Is the steering wheel also offset?
On my 4.7, the wheel was central to the console

Looking at the picture, the steering wheel is central to the console but the whole console is offset to stbd.

You can offset the steering wheel as well so that your hand on the wheel and your hand on the throttle are equidistant about your body's centreline but most consoles have the centre of the wheel in line with your body's centreline and the throttle is off the port / starboard.

[samt]

The steering wheel is offset, again was done from new. Either to allow space for the gauges, or to give clearance on the control box lever, was never an issue to use, just looked a bit odd.

[Ribtecer]

My steering wheel is off set, but I think weather it is right or left depends on the side that the throttle is mounted.

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by samt

The steering wheel is offset, again was done from new. Either to allow space for the gauges, or to give clearance on the control box lever, was never an issue to use, just looked a bit odd.

That'll teach me just to look at the thumbnail!