RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

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briantroy

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 9, 2013
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I am new to boating, so please forgive my ignorance. I am looking at a used 9.5 ft fiberglass rib and have some questions regarding storage. I have heard mixed opinions about storing while deflated and wondered if there was a different way I could go about it. I live in a condo and I am very limited on space. My garage is just large enough for the car so that would be a very tight squeeze even if deflated. I do, however, have plenty of headroom with rafters in the garage. I'm wondering if I couldn't keep it inflated and hang it from the rafters (over the car) using a pulley system attached to the lifting points. I'm not sure where the lifting points are, I think they are in the floor (inner hull?) and maybe the transom.The motor would be off and stored on a stand. I'm not sure if this would cause too much stress or if there are better ways of going about this. I think the weight would be about 175-200 pounds. Any thoughts?
 
Sea Rider

Sea Rider

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

Go for it using rib's lifting U rings or hull's underneath lifting slings, just make sure all garage hanging points are proper size and well secuered over car, just in case.

Happy Boating
 
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briantroy

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

What are the hull's underneath lifting slings? Does this RIB have them? What value would you give this RIB? Owner says it has only been used 3 times.
JP MArine.jpg
 
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Guest

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

briantroy said:
I am new to boating, so please forgive my ignorance. I am looking at a used 9.5 ft fiberglass rib and have some questions regarding storage. I have heard mixed opinions about storing while deflated and wondered if there was a different way I could go about it. I live in a condo and I am very limited on space. My garage is just large enough for the car so that would be a very tight squeeze even if deflated. I do, however, have plenty of headroom with rafters in the garage. I'm wondering if I couldn't keep it inflated and hang it from the rafters (over the car) using a pulley system attached to the lifting points. I'm not sure where the lifting points are, I think they are in the floor (inner hull?) and maybe the transom.The motor would be off and stored on a stand. I'm not sure if this would cause too much stress or if there are better ways of going about this. I think the weight would be about 175-200 pounds. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I am a fan of gravity and would hesitate hanging a 150lb rib. If you get a sib u can keep it in your car like I do
 
Sea Rider

Sea Rider

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

Slings are used for raising and lowering sib/ribs from docks onto trailers by means of a crane, these slings can be folded in U to suspend inflatables against ceilings. Better is to hung rib with a rope and pulley system. My boating club uses same to hung ribs, rowing boats from ceiling with no issue at all. Check that rib's lifting U rings are adjusted tight to transom and bow before hanging. After boating with a rib won't like sibs. Test a sib before going for one way before you get rid of your rib.

About price, if in mint condition, check how much is a new one and offer 50% of that price if it's ok with you and seller.

Happy Boating
 
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Guest

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

If I had to keep a boat inflated, I would just buy a nice boat with a cuddy. Reason I have an inflatable is because a marina is 3k per year. Depends where u live, if u have some old neighbors with a boat load of room u might get away with paying 500 bucks for a year and get a real boat
 
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briantroy

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

JP Marine doesn't make this model anymore so it is impossible to see what a new one costs. When I asked the salesman from JP Marine what model was closest to the 2010 I am looking at, he pointed out a 2013 model that is priced at $2500. The seller claims the RIB is in great condition. He has had this advertised for over a month and has dropped his price from $1300 to $600. He is located 60 miles south of the border (Ensenada, Baja Mexico) and I suspect he is having trouble finding an American buyer willing to travel that far into Mexico. He is an American guy renting a slip at a marina and I suspect he is leaving soon and wants to get rid of it. I don't know much about boats, but I haven't seen anything nearing this deal since I started looking a few months ago. I only hope it isn't too good to be true.
 
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ssobol

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Messages
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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

With the tubes inflated a rib can be pretty deep (top of the tubes to the bottom of the hull). Even if you can hang it from the ceiling will there be enough clearance to still get your vehicle in the garage?

Even if you can hang in your garage, how are you going to get it from there to the water? While a rib is lighter than a comparably sized hard boat, they can still weigh a fair amount. The shape and size of the tubes make them bulky for the weight.

I had a 10 foot rib. It weighed about 400# with the engine on. The rib had a console and a rigged engine so taking the engine on and off was not practical. It was possible to pick it up and move it with sufficient people, but it was not something that was easy to do.

The boat had a trailer. This made it easy to move around and provided a storage device.

You could make a dolly to move the boat around over short distances (the dealers use these in the store). But you'd still have to get it to the water and then you'd have to store the dolly. You could make the dolly so it had attach points and doubled as the cradle to hold the boat when it was hoisted up.
 
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briantroy

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

I was thinking of attaching these transom wheels I have seen on youtube and ebay: Launching wheels for Inflatable boats. Foldable transom wheels. Made in Germany on eBay! That way I can wheel the thing around. My garage has some pretty good headroom, I don't think space will be a problem. I have a cargo van to carry the boat. I might have to deflate the tubes a little to get it in, but re-inflating with an electric pump shouldn't take but few minutes. I don't think it will be a hassle taking the outboard off and placing it on a wheeled stand that will fit nicely into a corner. I figure the rib weighs 200 lbs max and all I need to do is wheel it into place, attach pulleys and lift. I wish I had space for a trailer, things would be much easier.
 
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briantroy

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Messages
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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

Bought the RIB yesterday. Now I am looking at pulley systems and I am afraid that storing the RIB using the contact point (1 in bow, 2 on transom) that it will not give enough support to the inflated tubes. Would putting a couple wide nylon straps around the whole RIB help? Any comments/advise/ideas? Thanks.
 
Sea Rider

Sea Rider

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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

On a rib you need to support the hull, not the tubes. We hang ribs all the time at back of sailboats using their hanging rings with no issues. Can you post pics of your current hang rings to have a look if good for hanging...

Happy Boating
 
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briantroy

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Sep 9, 2013
Messages
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Re: RIB Storage Via Lifting Points?

Thanks! I was pretty sure it was OK since I see pic and hear about people hanging them from davits. I just wasn't sure if that was a temporary thing or not. After more research, I figured you can hang a RIB indefinitely from contact points so long as it is otherwise cared for. I appreciate your input. Thanks again.
 
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