Tank rack for Zodiac Cherokee RIB

[bertschb]

I just bought a used 1995 15' 9" Zodiac Cherokee RIB. It has a center console but no seats anywhere else. Very open floor plan. I need a way to organize the gear. I took the boat out with two other guys and we had enough room but what you wanted always seemed to be under something else.

Also, it was tough to put the tanks on while sitting on the floor. Has anybody built something for a boat like this to store tanks and/or allow you to sit on it to put your tank on while gearing up? The floor right in front of the console actually is recessed about 7" or 8" so laying the tanks in there works pretty well but then they are under your feet.

This is what my boat looks like but without the rear seat/bench. I just sit on a cooler instead.
http://www.inflatableboatspecialists.com/zodiac_cherokee.html

Also, I'd like to hang something over the side so the tubes don't get cut while pulling the gear back into the boat after a dive. Any ideas on that?

Thanks!

 

[Uncle Pug]

Nice looking boat! You could make a holder (or buy roll control brackets) to hold two rigs on the front of the console. A shelf above them could be used as a donning station.

 

[bertschb]

Thanks! Of course, mine is a 1995 model so it aint that purdy.

I'll have to think about mounting something to the front of the console. That's a good idea because it's really the only solid thing in the boat other than the floor to mount anything to.

 

[Uncle Pug]

I don't know if you've seen the pictures in my thread on setting up a BW Montauk for diving but I made a holder for the console front that holds three rigs. I didn't make a shelf for donning as we use either the seat or the anchor locker and just hunker down.

 

[Snowbear]

Also, I'd like to hang something over the side so the tubes don't get cut while pulling the gear back into the boat after a dive. Any ideas on that?

I use an old floor mat from a pickup I used to have.

I don't have racks or anything in my inflatable, but set the rig on the tubes to gear up. It helps to have someone balance it by the tank valve, but even without help, it's better than gearing up on the floor. The other alternative, until you get your racks, is to gear up in the water.

 

[bertschb]

Hey, thanks for the pictures. That gives me something to think about.

 

[bertschb]

Speaking of the tubes, are they tough enough for guys to sit on all the time (going to and from dive sites, while helping guys in and out of the boat etc.)?

 

[bertschb]

I use an old floor mat from a pickup I used to have.

Do you just hang the mat over the side or is it attached to something?

 

[Snowbear]

Speaking of the tubes, are they tough enough for guys to sit on all the time (going to and from dive sites, while helping guys in and out of the boat etc.)?

I sure hope so :11: My Avon is only a 13 footer, so the tubes are the seats

Do you just hang the mat over the side or is it attached to something?

Yup. Just drape it over the tube and drag the rig across it. I toss it on the floor and put something on top of it to keep it from blowing out while underway.

 

[bertschb]

Great information! Thanks again for your help.