Flatback Fireboat Rebuild

[seabob4]

And Aaron, how is your flatback coming?  We haven't seen pics in a while.  You're not going to surprise us with a finished product, are you?

LOL, I doubt that Craig!  Although when that boy gets a wild hair up his butt, he can put out some work...

Craig, while undoubtedly that fabricator has seen the situation he talked about many times, with a properly prepped deck and stringer tops, and the proper material, well, that just ain't gonna happen.  The key is to make sure the underside of the deck where it meets the stringer tops, the tops of the stringers, and any other mating surfaces are properly prepped, and clean.  I've "un-decked" a few boats in my time, NONE of them would have separated from ANY force that a T-Top could have exerted on them.  At times (more often than not) we resorted to dragging out the 20 ton pneumatic bottle jacks to separate the deck from the stringers...and when that baby pops, you better be ready!

When people who are putting boats together, do it for a living, know what they are doing and what they are using, trust me, some pissant T-Top ain't gonna make that boat separate...  

[CLM65]

I'm sure you are right Bob.  He did say it was a rare occurance.  I imagine the risk is greater for a tower than a t- top, but it shouldn't happen regardless.  While we are on the subject, can you recommend a bonding material for attaching the deck?

[gran398]

Great point SB. With modern adhesives...and Plexus being the real deal on high-end production...the boat breaks before the bond does.

On the other hand....we all know the best top/tower builder in Tampa.

 Because of their expertise, they are also known and respected across the Southeast and Gulf Coast.  Am sure they have seen deck/stringer separation given the stress of a big boy wallowing side to side ten feet up in a small boat tower.

Craig, kudos for thinking this through and being proactive regarding what is to follow. Regardless of adhesive....sink that tower straight to the stringers with the aluminum plates. Overkill...nah. The grandkids will be fighting over that Georgia Fireboat fifty years from now

[Aswaff400]

And Aaron, how is your flatback coming?  We haven't seen pics in a while.  You're not going to surprise us with a finished product, are you?

LOL, I doubt that Craig!  Although when that boy gets a wild hair up his butt, he can put out some work...

LOL. had alot go on over the summer that i didnt post about on either board, i just havent had the time or energy to work on it. she's pretty much where i left her back in may. been trying to take care of some other things.

i did do a little work this weekend, added some glass to the outer bulkheads.

[seabob4]

I'm sure you are right Bob.  He did say it was a rare occurance.  I imagine the risk is greater for a tower than a t- top, but it shouldn't happen regardless.  While we are on the subject, can you recommend a bonding material for attaching the deck?

Here...http://www.arjaytech.com/index.php/our- ... nding/4001

[CLM65]

Excellent, thanks Bob!

[gran398]

Found this on the web.

Google "Flatback Fireboat".....then "Images"

[CLM65]

Oh, that fateful day when I picked up the flatback...what the heck was I thinking   ???

[slvrlng]

Maybe----- What a deal!!!!

LOLLOLOL!!!

[slvrlng]

Or maybe it was this smooth talkin sales guy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh1Hh6-o ... e=youtu.be

[seabob4]

No accoutrements...no accoutrements...

Hmmm, gonna have to think about this one...

[gran398]

Think Craig did pretty good. He got it for less than asking

That carney announcer didn't know what he had :flower:

[seabob4]

Lack of accoutrements, Scotty...

[gran398]

Or lacking, without, etc.

It could have been smoother...the dummy forgot his lines

[seabob4]

Or lacking, without, etc.

It could have been smoother...the dummy forgot his lines

Keep practicing, might be able to sell some jewelry some day... :)