Rigging a elephant trunk

JSP · 24 July 2009, 15:39

Has anyone ever come up with an idea to rig string from the console to the elephant trunks so they can be let out and pulled back in from the console?

jyasaki · 24 July 2009, 16:25

Depends on how straight a run it is. A small formed brass tube would give you conduit to route the control string.

The problem I see is not so much pulling them up, but letting them back down. You'll get enough force to pull them up using a string housed in a tube (think steering cable); going down, though, you need enough weight at the other end to pull things back down (which can be considerable.)

Hmmm. Perhaps a cable between the transom and the console, with string on a short run through the transom to the trunks?

I can also see something along the lines of a remote spotlight: wireless control of a small electric motor.

jky

m chappelow · 24 July 2009, 17:21

it would work better perhaps if the trunks were sleeved with plastic pipe only leaving the flexi bit to move ,they would then flop down with their own weight ,

JSP · 24 July 2009, 17:30

Wouldn't the water pull the trunk down? I know when I've forgot to tie mine up they have come down on their own.

Poly · 24 July 2009, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Wouldn't the water pull the trunk down? I know when I've forgot to tie mine up they have come down on their own.

john - others here have done it. the only boat I have used with them "strung up" seemed to 'fall back down' when released by themselves - not sure if they were weighted. Jky was talking about "sleeving" the "cable" which is a bit OTT and would add a lot of resistance. the set up I used - was basically bits of sailing dinghy spinaker halyard and guide pullleys, jam cleats etc.

Jizm · 24 July 2009, 20:15

I ran the cord along the top of the tube with a stop knot in it and a small sailing pulley on the transom end, it did the trick.

BogMonster · 24 July 2009, 22:09

Yes there was an article in Rib Intl a few issues back about a special RIB (forget the make) designed by/for RYA coaches which had exactly this, a cord up to the console for controlling the trunk.

jyasaki · 26 July 2009, 05:22

As I said, it would depend on your boats configuration. I would assume that the line would have to come through the transom fairly high up, drop down to the deck (or under the deck), over to the console, and back up to a handy height. I'd run some kind of conduit, I think, especially if it runs where you can't see it, as it would be tough to clear if it snagged something.

jky

chewy · 26 July 2009, 08:16

You got me thinking now.
Looks like its another job to add to my list, either that or i'll just leave em down whilst I'm on the boat?
How much water will an SR4 fill up with at rest, it still has the flooding hull.

BogMonster · 27 July 2009, 00:20

I was just sitting on the throne and happened to pick up the old issue with the RYA coaching ribs in.

They are a VSR 5.8 R see here

http://www.vsrlab.com/?mod=catalog&action=view&group=11

if you look at some of the photos you can see the routing of the trunk operating cord down the starboard tube from just adjacent to the helm, and over the transom.

9D280 · 27 July 2009, 08:41

Not seen the pics referred to above, but I have a similar sounding setup, but rather than the string ending at the console, it ends at one of the toob grab handles. I have a figure 8 knot at an appropriate place on the string, to which is tied a length of elastic that has the other end fixed to the A frame. The string just goes over the top of the transom. When let go, the elastic pulls the string backwards, ensuring the trunk drops.

Granted I have a 2m beam, so the toobs are easily reachable from the jockey. might not work so well on a wider rib?

Chewy, the amount will depend on the weight of your engine - my old SR4 was once properly swamped and with a Suz DT25 on the back sat with a nominal 2 inches of transom above the water with me still on the jockey.

chewy · 27 July 2009, 11:00

I have a 60hp clamshell hanging off the back.

Scousedeli · 27 July 2009, 14:55

My 5.4 has a system you maybe interested in I'll take some photos and post them asap.

Lee

9D280 · 27 July 2009, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I have a 60hp clamshell hanging off the back.

Which is (bizarrely) not that much heavier than the Suz was! Having said that, if you are that full, trunks become slightly irrelevant for the first while as a chunk of the water will leave over the top of the transom!

Nos4r2 · 27 July 2009, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

Which is (bizarrely) not that much heavier than the Suz was! Having said that, if you are that full, trunks become slightly irrelevant for the first while as a chunk of the water will leave over the top of the transom!

Yeah, but the rest that's left is enough to prevent the boat from planing as the bow comes up.

JSP · 29 July 2009, 10:59

Thanks lads. Trying to catch up with things on here at the moment. Been out of action.
Lee would like to see those photos'.

It can be a pain as you all know if you forget to put the trunks down once your underway.

chewy · 29 July 2009, 11:22

I've got some 5mm paracord which I'm running through 10mm clear PVC pipe along the top of my tubes where the life lines are fastened.

JSP · 29 July 2009, 11:25

How about a little rope clutch on each end as well?

chewy · 29 July 2009, 11:26

Sorry forgot to say I putting little carabiners on each end that will clip into a stainless D-ring mounted on the tube.
Yes I have been bored at work!

JSP · 29 July 2009, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Sorry forgot to say I putting little carabiners on each end that will clip into a stainless D-ring mounted on the tube.
Yes I have been bored at work!

How is Norway?