Effort in placing the factory RIB 290 on foredeck ?

[baz]

Subject: Effort in placing the factory RIB 290 on foredeck ?

I'm having to use a longer slip at my Marina going from the R27/OB to a R29 S.

The overall length of the R27/OB (including swim step) is 31'-4".
The overall length of the R29 S (including swim step) is 33'-4".

I'm currently in a 30' slip with my R27/OB and barely fit without too much of my raised outboard sticking out into the fairway.

With the R-29 S with a RIB 290 hanging on the swim step likely adds another 2' to the 33'-4" I show above.... thus 35'-4".

I've talked with my Marina and it's agreed I can put the R29 S into a 32' slip so long as the RIB 290 is removed from the swim step and either floated alongside the boats bow (I dock bow in) or placed on the foredeck or placed in a dinghy rack nearby the slip (which cost about $50/month). When not needing the RIB 290 I can leave it at my slip without issues.

If the space between my neighbor on the opposite finger is sufficient I'm allowed to float the RIB to be alongside the bow, otherwise the foredeck or the dinghy rack are my only options.

Now the question is: Lowering the RIB 290 to the water is a piece of cake, but getting it up onto the foredeck is another matter. I've seen other boats at my Marina that have their RIBs on the foredeck to be able to use a shorter slip and save some brass, so I know people do this. Just how much effort is required for this and can it be done solo I wonder ? What's the weight of the factory supplied RIB 290 ? The difficulty I see is more to do with getting the RIB over the bow railings when wanting to have it on the foredeck.

One other thought I have is that as the R29 S will be in a covered slip and the overhead structure has some nice looking I-beams that a block and tackle could be attached to. Using an I-beam I could arrange for lines to be attached to the RIB to hold it in a horizontal position and raise it easily with the block and tackle line and swing it onto the foredeck.... what a thought indeed. 😉 :roll:

Hmmmm.... and another option might be to place the RIB 290 directly onto the swim step to save space in the slip, but then there's the locker holding the propane tanks to consider.... 🙁

Thanks... 🙂

 

[Tug Travelers]

Hi Baz,

I have not tried to pull my dinghy up on the foredeck. I have done it with a couple of Hobie Adventure Island center hulls. It was definitely the best way to get the kayaks up to the top of the R29 classic that we had chartered but it was not something I could do singlehanded. I do not know the exact weight of our 290 dinghy but is is not light and it is awkward.

I don't think there is any way I could get it up on the foredeck. We have an R31.

I do like your idea of using the marina roof structure to lift up the dinghy if they allow it.

When I go fishing I leave my dinghy behind. I normally dock bow-in. I just back the boat out, spin it around and back in half way, drop the dinghy, tie it up and away I go.

John
Tug Travelers
Guided Flotilla Cruises

 

[baz]

Well, reviewing what I would need to pay for the Factory RIB 290 + a small 2.5 HP motor it seems it comes to around $6,240 plus sales tax at 10.3% which brings it to some $6,883. This is a sizable chunk of cash for what I think the RIB 290 low usage would be. The RIB 290 does offers safety in the event one has to abandon ship and of course getting ashore at places when on the hook and in and around a marina at times.

I think for many of my cruises I would be leaving the RIB 290 behind at the dock as I'm no real fan of having a dinghy spoiling my rear views. Now having owned the R27/OB for over a year I'm now fully appreciative of having the glorious rear views at all times.

Currently I have the SeaEagle 385ft-FastTrack inflatable Kayak which I have inflated and installed on cradles on the R27/OB's roof. I paid some $1,979 for this back in July 2017 when it was on sale. In addition I added extra D-rings to allow 2 adults + a child to have backrest seats in this Kayak + Electric pump with integrated battery for inflating and deflating the FasTrack quickly and all done in 5 mins. I also invested in a small WaterSnake Venom SX 34 lb thrust electric motor that can be installed on the FasTrack easily along with a wonderful 50 Ah Lithium battery (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MR34NPR/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) that weighs in at 10 lbs that fits nicely behind me at the rear of the FasTrack. So I have an investment in all of this for around $2,600. The FasTrack can be deflated to fit into a water proof bag that would easily install and secured on the R29 S's swim step to starboard side of the propane locker. Paddles, motor and back-rest seats could be stored in cockpit side lockers easily as well. If I have no need for the FasTrack for a cruise I can leave it plus the other stuff at home.

Thus, I maintain my investment in the SeaEagle, can fit into a smaller slip, will not have to worry about the hassle figuring out what to do with the RIB 290 at times when not needing it, enjoy rear views 100% of the time and save spending some $6,900.

So I do believe I've solved my issue and will abandon the thoughts of buying the factory RIB 290. 😀