The Team Britannia RIB will use an innovative commercial grade fixing and insert to secure its massive inflatable tubes on its round the world record attempt later this year. The solution could be of interest to other commercial grade aluminium hulled RIB constructors.
The fixings and inserts from Technifast have been specifically developed to allow the fitting of the two white tubes, which each weigh around 250kg, to the side of boat, without large numbers of people working on either side of the hull.
This is important as should either tube be damaged during the 23,000 nautical mile record attempt, the crew need to be able to replace the tubes without putting the vessel into a dry-dock.
The announcement was made at the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company on Hayling Island, where the 80ft RIB is being built, by ocean racing legend and Team Britannia’s skipper Alan Priddy and Technifast’s Senior Engineer, John Garner.
Alan explained: “We encountered an issue attaching our two huge inflatable tubes to the port and starboard sides of the boat. The hull of the boat is constructed from 6mm aluminium plate, and the fixing plates for the tubes required M10 bolts to be used.
RISK OF STRIPPING
“Tapping directly into the aluminium hull with M10 bolts would not be strong enough, as the softness of the aluminium material coupled with the constant slamming of the boat, would pose a risk of the bolts stripping the threaded aluminium and pulling out.
“If that was not enough, we needed a fitting that would allow the crew to remove and replace the tubes without having to take the boat out of the water.”
After conversations between Alan and Technifast’s Senior Engineer, John Garner, a design was finalised for an insert, which would increase the holding strength in the aluminium, but still allow the M10 fixings to be used to hold the two tubes in place. Crucially, it will give the option to release the tubes quickly in an emergency and for easy replacement.
John Garner explained: “As soon as it became clear what Team Britannia were attempting to do we were delighted to offer our services and support as a partner to this record attempt.
“The new design, uses a larger metric external thread to give more surface area and better grip. We also removed all undercuts and extended the exterior thread length to ensure that every available millimetre of the insert will provide hold to the relatively thin and light hull of the boat.
“The increased strength also means that the inserts only need to be installed at 750mm intervals over length of the boat, along the top of the hull with the holding plate bolted on. The tubes can then be attached and removed with relative ease.”
SIMPLE SOLUTION
Once the fixings and inserts from Technifast are installed at 750mm intervals over length of the boat, along the top of the hull with the holding plate bolted on. The tubes can then be attached to complete the distinctive look.
Alan continued: “The bespoke solution developed by Technifast, is beautifully simple, practical and most importantly effective. Yet again we are pushing the boundaries to ensure we have a boat that is both light and incredibly tough. I am delighted to be working with another Great British company.”
The boat is a completely new design from Professor Bob Cripps, former Technical Director of VT Halmatic. It has been designed in the UK and is being constructed on Hayling Island out of marine-grade aluminium. It encompasses “an exceptionally efficient hull,” which will cut fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent.
In addition to the hull design the vessel will be powered by a revolutionary fuel emulsion, a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifying agent from Clean Fuel Ltd. This will reduce harmful emissions such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.
John Garner concluded: “We look forward to following their progress and wish them every success in breaking the World Record.”
By Jake Frith
