what is under the deck of a valiant rib

two stroke mick · 10 February 2013, 23:19

I am considering installing removal seats into my valiant dr 490. does anyone know how they are constructed under the deck?

i.e. are there stringers and cross members or just foam.

I was thinking of a stainless steel plate with four nut units welded to the under side of the plate. the deck would be drilled to allow the bolt units to sink under the deck. the plate to be screwed and sika flexed to the deck

tsm

Tim M · 10 February 2013, 23:24

There isn't much under the deck. I re-fitted one last year, adding under-deck cables and didn't have much trouble running the cables from the back to the front through newly drilled holes. There are a couple of under deck "constructions" but I can't remember in which direction these ran.

GRAHAM SOMERS · 05 March 2013, 10:16

It depends on the age of the RIB. The earlier models had stringers, and the later models ( in the past 5 -6 years were foam filled.) To identify this you could pass on the hull number or if it is a later model it will have a ' Unsinkable hull ' sticker somewhere on it.

two stroke mick · 05 March 2013, 10:59

drilled a trial hole. The deck is fiberglass, on plywoo the base of which is firberglass and then the inside of the hull has a solid type foam in it. Thanks for coming back graham

RIB-Teccie · 05 March 2013, 20:22

You could use blind stainless big head fasteners attached to the deck, which would fit in and be flush fitting. A lot less hassle than cutting the deck up. I made an alloy plate with studs for the console to sit on, plate was secure with self tapping screws and sikaflex.

Maximus · 05 March 2013, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

I am considering installing removal seats into my valiant dr 490. does anyone know how they are constructed under the deck?

i.e. are there stringers and cross members or just foam.

I was thinking of a stainless steel plate with four nut units welded to the under side of the plate. the deck would be drilled to allow the bolt units to sink under the deck. the plate to be screwed and sika flexed to the deck

tsm

Hi Mick,I have a couple of SS Plates + Nuts Welded to them, ( About 5''x3'') Useualy used for A Frame Deck mounts so Plenty Strong which would do the job...A Tenner pluss postage and they're yours

Drop me a pm if you want them.