Weight limit on fly bridge?

[navajas]

Hey folks,

Am hoping to have an offer accepted on a 2019 R29cb. I have a, well, fairly heavy retired mother. Anyone know if there's a weight limit on the command bridge? I've checked the online manual and can find no mention.


Thanks,

navajas

 

[SJI Sailor]

Don't know firsthand, but it seems that ABYC says it should be documented: https://abycinc.org/blogpost/1839308/339862/Upper-Deck-Capacity. I would call the factory and ask.

For my 0.02, I would wonder first about the ladder and whether it might be difficult to climb (or less sturdy that the upper deck itself maybe?) There is also decreased stability when underway with more weight up high. That depends on conditions and is manageable of course.

 

[navajas]

Yeah her mobility is up to her. She might take a look at the stairs up and say, "No thanks", making the entire issue moot. (Well not really, there IS after all seating for four up there.)

That said, she goes up and down stairs in our house (she lives with us) routinely and she's a stubborn go-getter. Didn't notice till now that there's actually a section of this forum specifically to ask question of Fluid Motion Actual. Think I should re-post there?

 

[SJI Sailor]

My impression is that the factory is as likely to see it here in this general forum as there (they answer kind of slowly, best effort), and it's good to keep threads in one place.

But I wouldn't hesitate to call them -- the interaction would be a good piece of info before you write the check (and congratulations on finding the boat!)

 

[Sandro]

Interesting question. Never thought of it but I have the same boat and have had up to five 150-225 lb guys up on the CB. No one has fallen through yet! 😀

 

[navajas]

Interesting question. Never thought of it but I have the same boat and have had up to five 150-225 lb guys up on the CB. No one has fallen through yet! 😀

Thanks for that!

 

[dclagett]

Falling through would certainly be a problem, however the most probable thing that would happend, if overloaded, is flexing the FB which may pullout screws or break seals causing leaks. This happend to me on a non Fluid Motion boat. I would be calling the RT factory to find out the design loading.

 

[navajas]

Falling through would certainly be a problem, however the most probable thing that would happend, if overloaded, is flexing the FB which may pullout screws or break seals causing leaks. This happend to me on a non Fluid Motion boat. I would be calling the RT factory to find out the design loading.

Yep, that's exactly my concern.

I'll post hear if I hear back.

 

[Sandro]

That would be a massive design flaw, especially since there is seating for four adults on the bridge with no warning tags. 4 adults = 1000 lbs.

 

[navajas]

FYI: Talked to Andrew Custis today. Said they have no established weight limit.

EDIT: Should also point out, he also seemed utterly unconcerned.

 

[Chimo]

Don't know firsthand, but it seems that ABYC says it should be documented: https://abycinc.org/blogpost/1839308/339862/Upper-Deck-Capacity. I would call the factory and ask.

For my 0.02, I would wonder first about the ladder and whether it might be difficult to climb (or less sturdy that the upper deck itself maybe?) There is also decreased stability when underway with more weight up high. That depends on conditions and is manageable of course.

In fairness to Ranger Tugs, I didn't see anything on their website that says the are ABYC compliant. Did I miss it?

 

[SJI Sailor]

Chimo, good point about not claiming ABYC. I had thought they claimed that but now I think I was misremembering, based on reading random things like this:

"The company said it made some changes and upgrades for the production boats, including ABYC-compliant electrical wiring ..." https://www.soundingsonline.com/features/ranger-tugs-launches-r-41

In any case, agreed with all that falling through fiberglass would be unlikely but ladder, seats, brackets, rails, flex/seals, etc (and stability) are where I would worry about high loads.

 

[Sandro]

The “ladder” is molded in. There are no other areas of weakness. It’s one big fiberglass mold supported on four sides by full structure all around. There is zero flex, creaking or anything even with six people up there. Driving down with six people up and you can’t even hear them or their walking around. The lack of concern by RT is correct. 🙂

 

[Chimo]

I wouldn't have any concerns about the structural integrity. RT build a pretty good boat. My concern would be stability in unforeseen circumstances. The Sedan and Flybridge models are listed as having the same weight but I suspect the FB already has moved a noticeable weight higher in the boat. Add 6 people, 1,000 lbs+ on top of that and you seriously change the metacentric height. I don't know waterline length and beam but I assume the ratio is < 3:1. I doubt stability testing has been done. All no issues sitting at the dock having a cocktail or in calm waters. There's going to be an enhanced roll if the boat gets a big wake on the beam, maybe when at anchor and nobody sees it coming. Watching out for that sort of stuff is the skipper's responsibility. It's a lot about common sense.