Frib 460 S

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DrHair Great Britain
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Joined: 08 Sep 2016, 19:42
Boat Make: Frib 460S
Outboard: Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke
MMSI Number: 10
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by DrHair » 30 Apr 2017, 09:38

I agree, I think the fundamental point is that the tubes need to be folded inwards but there is a propensity for the tubes on a 460 to hang down and they easily catch on those sticking out "shoulders". Then they either get overstretched against them (and see how sharp and rough those edges are on the photo from underneath) or they get entrapped as the hull is dropped down.
Probably, because the 460 has long, relatively thin tubes, they will just hang down in the way. The shorter versions will probably not "roll" outwards in the same way. The shorter length to the bows keeps them from splaying out.
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So I have now developed a single handed technique to keep the tubes rolled in (easy to miss them rolling out again when standing behind, lifting the rear section) as I lower it down, whilst pulling backwards! But I'm now happier I can avoid problems in the future. In the below photos, you can see I've smoothed the razor sharp edges of the fibreglass shoulders and use a bungee to hold the tubes in - if I don't they immediately fall outwards and become trapped on those shoulders.
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I'm still not happy however, that I have an unused boat with two patches already. I've not yet heard from Steve so either he's on holiday or the email is in the spam but he does need to get some documentation on this! And pass the message back to the manufacturers as it is something of a design fault - it may be unavoidable because of the very useful folding design. But maybe improving the quality of those corners might help.

I don't think many 460s have been sold so maybe not been any problems before but if it does start selling well, he could have many complaints. It is now "out there" as a known problem so customer service needs to kick in to prevent others having problems.

I'm still looking forward to using it though and will report back.

New

DrHair Great Britain
Active Member
Posts: 90
Joined: 08 Sep 2016, 19:42
Boat Make: Frib 460S
Outboard: Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke
MMSI Number: 10
Location: Warwick
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 21 times
Contact:

Re: Frib 460 S

Post by DrHair » 22 May 2017, 19:30

Update!
I never did hear back from Steve but sadly I've had another problem...

I went to Dartmouth this weekend as usual and here follow a few photos
First is a Frib 4.6 S fits in the back of a Volvo XC90 with two outboards plus sails and mast etc
Then the package on the pontoon becomes inflated and Mark 1 bow canopy attached
then Disaster!
We sailed 100m and then the mast snapped :-x
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DrHair Great Britain
Active Member
Posts: 90
Joined: 08 Sep 2016, 19:42
Boat Make: Frib 460S
Outboard: Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke
MMSI Number: 10
Location: Warwick
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 21 times
Contact:

Re: Frib 460 S

Post by DrHair » 22 May 2017, 19:44

If Martin could just turn the photo around 90 degrees please... much appreciated :)

So first use and it broke - I can't decide whether a manufacturing fault or design issue. The sailing rig comes locally so hopefully it can be remade quickly but it clearly isn't up to the job.
It feels really "brittle" resin with no flex at all and maybe a metal ferrule around that bit of section might help.

On the plus side, even with just a 3.5hp Mariner 2 stroke, it managed 6 knots with two up (Dartmouth speed limit) but not quite planing.
With the Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke, it was easily on the plane at half throttle and more to come but not within the harbour so just pootled up to Totnes and back for lunch.

And for that 100m it sailed quite well and the centreboard really does help to make it less "tippy".

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The Gurnard
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by The Gurnard » 22 May 2017, 20:33

Wow.. a fibre glass mast ??

Perhaps phone steve direct at F Ribs..(you will get his phone number on the F Rib site)... tell him what happened .. and ask why the Winboat F460 ..which I suspect the F ribs are based on ..has an aluminium mast and yours has a fibre glass one ?! :o .

It doesn't even look windy in your photos ..so something major is wrong :(

See this advert

https://www.amazon.com/Winboat-F460-Fol ... B00XMMQLN8

Down the page it describes it as modular aluminium

Getting afloat was never so easy before! Unfold, hoist a sail and experience thrills of sailing in 15 minutes Unique sailboat with Foldable fiberglass hull and German PVC tubes. Modular aluminum mast and boom.

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The Gurnard
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by The Gurnard » 22 May 2017, 21:43

A little more research shows that the Frib 460s is advertised on certain web sites in the UK and in Florida as also having a modular Aluminium mast..that mast you have just does not look right to me ? I would ask why you have been given that mast when its advertised as modular Aluminium.

https://www.frib-se.co.uk/f-rib-460-sail

http://www.nauticalventures.com/blog/f- ... r-sailboat

Both sites say ..

Modular aluminum mast and boom with a fully battened sail. Sail area around 55 sq. feet.

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Martin England
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by Martin » 22 May 2017, 22:16

I'm sickened for you Dr Hair, But I think this has got to be left to the guys at F-Rib to sort out, We are independent to them and unfortunately have no influence over how they deal with things..
Give Steve & Ricky a ring and hopefully you'll get the result you require. :thumbsup
F-RibsAndSibs.Com.... :whistle
Because it's a big old WWworld out there :mrgreen:

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James England
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by James » 22 May 2017, 23:25

Hi

I just read the full threat. Sorry to hear your having major problems.

I hope you get it sorted soon.

James
James

2015 F-Rib 360 married to a 1999 fully rebuilt 15hp 2 Stroke Johnson engine and 22 litre fuel tank.
Mods: Launch wheels, Towing Eyes, 2 Bench Seat Cushions, and 1 Bench Seat Bag
Boat name: Cichlid

DrHair Great Britain
Active Member
Posts: 90
Joined: 08 Sep 2016, 19:42
Boat Make: Frib 460S
Outboard: Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke
MMSI Number: 10
Location: Warwick
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 21 times
Contact:

Re: Frib 460 S

Post by DrHair » 23 May 2017, 19:44

I spoke to Steve today and he was very helpful - I explained about my conclusions with the tubes getting damaged and I'd emailed the pictures of the broken mast.
He does have a new supplier who makes the mast from aluminium so that sounds more promising but hopefully will add strength without extra weight. The new mast may be ready in the next few weeks.
Since this is a review:
One other thing I noticed was that water did leak in until the joining bolts are quite tight - I didn't want to tighten too much in case it stripped the threads but that didn't happen so all good.
Lastly, I can confirm to Gurnard that it will quite easily go on the plane despite the length and the non standard rib hull shape.

How do I add a video made on an iphone?

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Martin England
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Boat Make: F-Rib 3.75 - Special
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by Martin » 23 May 2017, 20:35

Great news regarding your contact with Steve, sounds like you have a resolve there. :thumbsup

Videos are generally uploaded to YouTube and then embedded on here.
If you have any problems let us know and we'll help you out.

Re:pictures, I'll soon then asap for you. I just seem to be manically busy with work stuff at the moment. :shame
F-RibsAndSibs.Com.... :whistle
Because it's a big old WWworld out there :mrgreen:

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The Gurnard
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Re: Frib 460 S

Post by The Gurnard » 24 May 2017, 05:52

DrHair wrote:Lastly, I can confirm to Gurnard that it will quite easily go on the plane despite the length and the non standard rib hull shape.
No need to prove to me it planes easy Dr Hair..I have never had a doubt in my mind it will.

Perhaps you are a little confused with my remarks I made when you asked opinions on its “seaworthiness" compared to a 360 or 375 that made you think I needed proof ?

Here is my remark from this thread .. so all can see. ..and I stick by that ..the other Fribs do speeds of 30+ knots.. I may be wrong but I doubt I would want to be in that hull shape of the Frib 460s at those speeds :o

http://f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1564

"However I suspect its length may make it marginally less seaworthy at speed than the likes of the F Rib 375 or 360 ?"

DrHair wrote:On the plus side, even with just a 3.5hp Mariner 2 stroke, it managed 6 knots with two up (Dartmouth speed limit) but not quite planing.
Yup..that is what I would expect.. at displacement speed..a longer hull has less drag than a shorter hull. My Frib at 2.75 m at full displacement speed is 5kts..so there is no surprise there either..well except its not a 3.5hp Mariner 2 stroke hanging off the back of your boat in the photo..its a four stroke so carefull with the oils. ;-)

Glad you have things sorted.. the instruction manual mentions slight leakage until the seals settle so that is not an issue.

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