September 21, 2006
Forward Thinking... RIBCRAFT's Console Placement
I’m often asked why the consoles on RIBCRAFT models appear to be placed further forward than many of our competitors. It’s a great question - and as you can imagine their placement isn’t done simply by happenstance or by some marketing guy who thought it was a great marketing gimmick.
BALANCE
One of the chronic problems with RIBs is that they tend to be extremely stern heavy and can struggle when it comes to getting the bow to come down while coming onto a plane. We’ve all seen RIBs with the bow shooting high into the air. This is extremely problematic – not only do you lose visibility, but it can be very unnerving. By placing our consoles forward, we improve the overall balance of the boat by offsetting the weight of the engine(s) with the weight of the operator. You will find that a RIBCRAFT RIB easily pops up on a plan and rides nice and flat. Though this is a function of the great hull design, it is also greatly assisted by console placement and improved weight balance.
RIDE
Another reason for placing the consoles a little further forward is that they are located over the deepest and sharpest point of the V hull, delivering a very smooth entry into the water with virtually no pounding for the operator. Additionally, by being slightly further forward, it’s a much dryer ride for the operator by taking full advantage of the high bow sheer.
VISIBILITY
Not only is a dryer ride more comfortable – it’s also much safer as the operator doesn’t have to deal with wiping salt out of his or her eyes or seeing through a water soaked windshield. Additionally, by placing the console forward we improve the operator’s visibility by having them in the middle to front of the boat. Whether you’re using the boat for work or pleasure, it’s essential to have an unobstructed view of where you’re going. Too often the driver has to look over, through, or around their passengers to simply see where they’re going.
DECK SPACE
Lastly, but no less important, one of the trade offs we hear with a RIB is the decreased deck space. However, by placing the console forward we maximize useable deck space on the RIB. By having the console forward we leave the widest part of the deck open for gear and seating arrangements.
Posted by ribcraftusa at September 21, 2006 11:02 AM
Comments
The visibility and balance makes sense, but I would think with the console that far forward the driver would be tossed around up there. My thinking is that the further back in the boat you go the smoother the ride as it moves around the least.
Posted by: Justin Cabs at September 22, 2006 10:07 AM
Justin, I can understand your thinking about the ride being rougher with the console forward but I have had my 190 in fairly rough water multiple times and that has never been an issue. It may be slightly rougher but I prefer the feel foward (more true feel)and it is much dryer than sitting back further. I would not want it any other way now that I have experienced it forward.
Posted by: Dave Baker at September 24, 2006 08:03 PM
Justin, great comment and thanks for your feedback Dave! It’s always great to hear customer’s impressions. What you say Justin makes sense and is perfectly logical to think, however what you find is that by having the console and weight further forward, the added weight actually serves to flatten the ride and minimizes the amount of bouncing. Yes, there is some movement up there, but nothing like you’d experience in a hard sided boat.
Posted by: Fred at September 25, 2006 01:55 PM
Fred Dawber wrote:
"Re Forward Thinking - Is there a point where too much weight towards the bow can lead to "bow steering"?"
If by “bow steering” you mean the bow wants to dig in – then yes. The forward location of our consoles is in large part dictated by this as well. First, let me say that I’m not naval architect, but as I mentioned before, we typically place the console over the deepest point of the V. If you were to look at the boats out of the water, we never place the console forward of that. If we were to, it would be sure to affect the boat's balance and would probably cause the bow to dig. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Fred at November 6, 2006 02:12 PM
