Searider A frame

henryfreston · 27 April 2014, 16:43

A friend of mine owns a welding company and says he is more than happy to fabricate one to my specifications.

It is for a SR4 so I don't want a great lump on the back, just something light that I can install the nav lights into and the VHF antenna. The look is also quite important

I was thinking something on the lines of just one plain single stainless tube but not sure it will suit the searider. I have attached a picture of what I mean.

So i wondered if anyone has any a frames on there small ribs that they wouldn't mind sharing just so I can get a few ideas before I submit some drawings.

Cheers

popeyethesailor · 27 April 2014, 17:39

If he wants to make two if the price is right I would be interested in one!

henryfreston · 27 April 2014, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by popeyethesailor

If he wants to make two if the price is right I would be interested in one!

Ok will let you know

tom russell · 27 April 2014, 21:47

Nice hen!

Chris Caton · 27 April 2014, 22:12

Nick Hearne gave me the details for his A frame which Marine Fabrications tweeked a little for me, picks up on the same mounts as the original transom supports

tom russell · 27 April 2014, 23:58

That looks lovely Chris

Pikey Dave · 28 April 2014, 05:49

Just bear in mind that whatever you end up with, will be used as a grab rail by someone, so it needs to be robust enough to support a lardy lump swinging on it. CCs looks the way to go.

Chris Caton · 28 April 2014, 06:58

it's Nicks design, as PD says needs to be reasonably strong to take some knocks

henryfreston · 28 April 2014, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

Nick Hearne gave me the details for his A frame which Marine Fabrications tweeked a little for me, picks up on the same mounts as the original transom supports

Looks nice, does it provide the same strength as the transom supports?

I found one on ebay I like the look of but I don't think it is as strong as yours. What do you guys think of it? I may extend the bottom of it so I can put another 2 bolts in to give extra support.

I Know it's not the best looking one, but hopefully mine will be a bit shinier as that one is a bit dull in colour.

I am also aware that the person making it is doing me a favor so I don't want to make the design too complicated and take up too much of his design, if you see where I am coming from.

Cheers

Chris Caton · 28 April 2014, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

Looks nice, does it provide the same strength as the transom supports?

I found one on ebay I like the look of but I don't think it is as strong as yours. What do you guys think of it? I may extend the bottom of it so I can put another 2 bolts in to give extra support.

I Know it's not the best looking one, but hopefully mine will be a bit shinier as that one is a bit dull in colour.

I am also aware that the person making it is doing me a favor so I don't want to make the design too complicated and take up too much of his design, if you see where I am coming from.

Cheers

hopefully it should be at least as strong as the original supports if not stronger. if you need to keep it simple and just go for the single hoop it definitely needs to extended to give extra mounting points, and why not pick up on the original support top mounting point to save too many holes in the transom

henryfreston · 28 April 2014, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

hopefully it should be at least as strong as the original supports if not stronger. if you need to keep it simple and just go for the single hoop it definitely needs to extended to give extra mounting points, and why not pick up on the original support top mounting point to save too many holes in the transom

Yes, as nice as yours is I think it is just a bit cheeky of me to ask him to make one that complex.

I will update on my refurb thread when I've got the frame made

Nos4r2 · 28 April 2014, 10:01

Be aware that not all SR4 transom supports are in exactly the same place if you get one made to a pre-used design. I get the feeling they were very much 'glass the pad in then see where the hole needs to be.

henryfreston · 28 April 2014, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Be aware that not all SR4 transom supports are in exactly the same place if you get one made to a pre-used design. I get the feeling they were very much 'glass the pad in then see where the hole needs to be.

Yes i will be taking measurements from my rib and applying it to the design.

Not sure I know what you mean (the bit I've highlighted)

cheers

henryfreston · 28 April 2014, 18:12

Can anybody recommend any navigation lights? Need the all round white and the port and starboard light.

Nos4r2 · 28 April 2014, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

Yes i will be taking measurements from my rib and applying it to the design.

Not sure I know what you mean (the bit I've highlighted)

cheers

The bolts on the deck for the transom supports are passed through a plywood pad then the whole pad is glassed in, which is why there's a raised bit on the deck round the transom support bolts. They aren't always in exactly the same place, which means as the transom support stainless rods are a premade part, the holes in the transom for the supports to bolt to aren't always in exactly the same place either. Hence one a-frame may fit one SR4, but might need a bit of wiggling to fit another. If it's something beefy that won't flex a little you could have an issue.

henryfreston · 29 April 2014, 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

The bolts on the deck for the transom supports are passed through a plywood pad then the whole pad is glassed in, which is why there's a raised bit on the deck round the transom support bolts. They aren't always in exactly the same place, which means as the transom support stainless rods are a premade part, the holes in the transom for the supports to bolt to aren't always in exactly the same place either. Hence one a-frame may fit one SR4, but might need a bit of wiggling to fit another. If it's something beefy that won't flex a little you could have an issue.

ah ok cheers, ye I will make sure the measurements come from my boat

henryfreston · 29 April 2014, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

Nick Hearne gave me the details for his A frame which Marine Fabrications tweeked a little for me, picks up on the same mounts as the original transom supports

Chris how much do you reckon that was in materials?

Chris Caton · 29 April 2014, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by henryfreston

Chris how much do you reckon that was in materials?

not a clue Henry, they made and fitted the seat backs, console grab rail and A frame at the same time and I just paid for it as a finished job, so no idea how much the materials were, just very happy with the finished job and would recommend Marine Fabrication to anyone

henryfreston · 29 April 2014, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

not a clue Henry, they made and fitted the seat backs, console grab rail and A frame at the same time and I just paid for it as a finished job, so no idea how much the materials were, just very happy with the finished job and would recommend Marine Fabrication to anyone

Found a materials website but I am not sure if I use grade 304 or grade 316 stainless steel. Can probably answer it myself by just choosing the more expensive one

henryfreston · 29 April 2014, 08:09

I presume your frame is 2" tube chris?