Lashing RIB to deck on PSC 31

stevemac00 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

We left Wisconsin, currently in Annapolis and heading for Florida and the Bahamas. In the Great Lakes our roll up with air floor was the best choice. But now we have longer distances to dinghy, currents, sand and coral and want a RIB. Most of the time we'll be towing the dinghy but want to be able to place on the foredeck during passages.

I found an older post by djmarchand 42415-psc-31-measurement-dinghy-deck.html but there wasn't a follow up.

I'm thinking of the Apex A8-Lite (or A9-Lite if I can make it fit) as shown here Apex A8-Lite.

There's at least 48" width behind the windlass and seven feet or so to the cowl vents. I expect I would deflate the tubes and place the transom of the RIB toward the bow.

Does anyone have any real world experience or suggestions? I'm not interested in davits. Also interested in any comments on the Apex Lite series.

teejayevans · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

Given the stowed measurements, what about directly behind the mast? I would try to avoid the front cabin top, seems more exposed, more likely to get in the way and you risk scratching the hatch.
Tom

stevemac00 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

I don't think behind the mast would work. It would be right up against the dodger. I used to be happy with the air floor and I've stored that behind the mast when I needed the stern berth room but even a small RIB is just too big.

What type of dinghy/storage do you have? I'm hoping I can find a 31 owner with experience that it works but if not I guess I'm going to do it.

teejayevans · #4 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevemac00

I don't think behind the mast would work. It would be right up against the dodger. I used to be happy with the air floor and I've stored that behind the mast when I needed the stern berth room but even a small RIB is just too big.

What type of dinghy/storage do you have? I'm hoping I can find a 31 owner with experience that it works but if not I guess I'm going to do it.

I have:
RU-260 Sport Dinghy
I like the light weight and it rolls up nicely. When on plane it does tend to slap the water where a RIB would cut through the waves. I have not needed to travel long distances, so going on plane is just for the fun.
It really depends on how you going to use it, if you plan on traveling several miles, RIB would be better, if you are just going to be using it to go ashore, anything will work.
Tom

Vasco · #5 (**permalink**) 09-26-2010

Is Apex still in business? I heard that they had gone under or is that just a rumor. I checked the exhibitors list for the Annapolis boat show and they're not on it. The outfit was started in Annapolis, used to be Calypso dinghies.

stevemac00 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010

I don't have all the facts. Intercoastal filed for chapter 7. At some point in the past manufacturing was transferred to a company in Costa Rico. They are still being made there. Fawcette took over old Apex building and is selling them. What I'm trying to determine is if any PSC 31 ownees lash a RIB to deck.

adamowens · #7 (**permalink**) 09-27-2010

I had a walker bay 270 folding transom rib (8' 10") for a while. Deflated with the transom folded down it wasn't to bad. Inflated it just wouldn't fit. I have granny bars at the mast and the tubes wouldn't fit around them. Even without the granny bars the room left up forward to maneuverto the bow wouldn't have been sufficient. The walker bays are very square bowed though.

Adam
PSC 31 Journey

stevemac00 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010

I bought the Apex A9 and it fits easily. Here's the stowed dimensions:
Stowed Length ft 7'11"
Stowed Width ft 3'5"
Stowed Height ft 1'6"
There's a significant space left to move it closer to the mast if necessary.

southwindphoto · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2010

thanks for the image..

I have a Caribe 9x and was wondering about how to store it on the front deck of my 35 Morgan

okapi3 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010

I finally went with an 8' Porta-Bote for my 31. It's an odd-looking duck at sea but lashed down against the side of the cabin top it takes up very little space (4 inches thick, 1 foot high and 8' long). The seats and transom stow below along the edge of the quarter berth or V-berth. It assembles on the foredeck very quickly (5 minutes by the 3rd or 4th time) and disassembles in 2 minutes so there is no temptation to leave it assembled and tow it, though it tows fine. When away from the boat for any length of time I store the whole boat, folded, in the V-berth.

Warning: Tying up to Annapolis' Ego Alley dinghy dock in a Porta-Bote could cause serious injury to one's ego. A healthy sense of humor is required.