Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

[Nevets]

I'm looking to add a small console (perhaps the aluminum/stainless tube type) + throttle and trim controller to a new RIB...any advice or experience to share? It would mostly be for my wife and kids to use (otherwise I'd be fine with a tiller motor).

Per Tohatsu Guru comment the manufacture is West Marine, it is their 350 model...11'5" Hypalon. They do not make one.

Per ronaldj post - I also looked at the boats-to-go model you referenced. I may go with that unit as it is light weight, slim design and really inexpensive.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

The type of console and whether or not it would be practical to add it, would be dependent on the brand and model of the individual inflatable boat. IE Your putting the cart in front on the horse.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

Depending on who made your RIB there are console's already made by the mfg
As an example Walker Bay makes a console kit
http://www.walkerbay.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/CONSOLE-GENESIS-NOV-16-2012.pdf
You may also want to check out the portable console from Boats to go
Central Console System For Inflatable Boats, RIBs, Jon Boats.

Im sure there are others but these are the two I looked at

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

A console takes too much pretty available deck space on a 12" footer specially for intended 4 persons use, personally would preffer an open deck tiller option on that size rib, you can always have a break once at a stop sitting on deck and on top whatever you find suitable to do so...

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

A console takes too much pretty available deck space on a 12" footer specially for intended 4 persons use, personally would preffer an open deck tiller option on that size rib, you can always have a break once at a stop sitting on deck and on top whatever you find suitable to do so...

Happy Boating

I had a Walker Bay Genisis 310 with the console. It was pretty nice and had room for 4 reasonable sized people (two at the console, one next to the console, and one at the bow). You could carry things in the bench seat and the console. If you are just cruising there should be enough room. For activities with a lot of gear you might not have enough space.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

I had a Walker Bay Genisis 310 with the console. It was pretty nice and had room for 4 reasonable sized people (two at the console, one next to the console, and one at the bow). You could carry things in the bench seat and the console. If you are just cruising there should be enough room. For activities with a lot of gear you might not have enough space.

Were you able to fish from that boat or did the console get in the way?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Console steering and throttle for '12 RIB?

I had a Walker Bay Genisis 310 with the console. If you are just cruising there should be enough room. For activities with a lot of gear you might not have enough space.

Those Walker Bay Genesis are one of a kind, don't think can get all those nice inner center console, seats, hidden drawers, etc, as spares parts and fit, organize them same into a WM 350 rib. In that case better buy a WBG of your size election.

According to WM web page the rib you intend to buy is made with Orca Hypalon 215 which is only a 0.7 mm fabric, that rib should have been built with at least Orca Hypalon 820, 0.9 mm longer lasting fabric. It's a crime to build larger ribs with thin fabrics mostly used on small 280 and under size ribs just to have attractive prices...

Happy Boating