71 22-2 Flatback Re-build Watch and Comment Please

[RickK]

Look at some of the other FB rebuilds and see what size tank they used and how they build the cradle to hold them.  Moeller is a good place to find tanks.

[mshugg]

What do you plan for power?  Your flatty should be more fuel efficient than my CCP.  I went with 58 gallons assuming that I’ll get 4-5 MPG at most efficient cruise with a 150-200. 

Assuming 4 MPG and 90% useable (52 gal) , that should gives me a range of 208 miles.  Keeping 1/3 in reserve, that’s still 140 miles range, or more than enough for 30 miles out, 30 miles back and a full day of trolling.

Make your plans based on your intended use.

[Marcel4t]

What do you plan for power?  Your flatty should be more fuel efficient than my CCP.  I went with 58 gallons assuming that I’ll get 4-5 MPG at most efficient cruise with a 150-200. 

Assuming 4 MPG and 90% useable (52 gal) , that should gives me a range of 208 miles.  Keeping 1/3 in reserve, that’s still 140 miles range, or more than enough for 30 miles out, 30 miles back and a full day of trolling.

Make your plans based on your intended use.

Right now my ideal motor would be a newer 175 Suzuki.
Where I do most of my fishing, off Boynton, we are lucky enough that we only have to go about 1.5 miles off shore and we are already in 200ft of water, I spend most of my type drifting live baits between 200 and 120ft, so I dont do a lot of trolling usually.  On nice days I may shoot out into the gulf, maybe 15-20 mile for the weed-lines.  If the weather is really nice, I would hop across to West End of Bahamas and go diving, which is 80 miles (Id go in a group with other boats).  But that happening would be rare if any.  I would probably trailer to keys once in a while also. 
So, 52 gallon tank would be plenty for my needs.  I found a 52g Moeller poly tank that has the perfect dimensions to fit between my stringers!  One of the challenges on a FB is not much space height wise for a tank, but this one is 13"H.  I found a place in Ft Laud that has the best price on them, $410 and I'll pick it up.

[mshugg]

I’ve fished out of Boynton more than a few times.  The inlet can be a bear, but it’s nice being so close to the stream.  I think you’ll be happy with 52 gal.  I hope your tooth fillings are in good shape for making the Bahamas run in a flatback, though.

[Marcel4t]

The Boynton inlet is listed as one of the most dangerous on east coast. Ever winter someone's boat winds up on the beach. I only go out when its flat/light chop and always wait for other boats to go through before I proceed. Ive never ridden in a flatback, so I guess I shall see how rough a ride it is. I grew up going out on my neighbors Hews Bonefisher, and that boat was rough out in the gulf. 

[Marcel4t]

Center stringer OUT!
New Poly 52G tank ACQUIRED!
Fits like a GLOVE!

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Looking good. Are you planning to mount it that way or turn it around? If you flip it, you may be able to run your fill tube through the existing stringer cutout.

[Marcel4t]

That's a good idea, I thought of that for a minute, but the tank will be moving forward a few inches, and that notch will not be next to the fill spout.  I'd also like to have the inspection plate under the center console.  I also kinda like the gas cap on the left side so when I pull into a gas pump, the drivers side is up against the pump and it's easier for me to see how Im parking. 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Ok, cool. Sounds like you've considered everything. 

[theFunsmith]

I would flip it around. You'll want your fuel pickup at the rear end, otherwise when you throttle up and the fuel goes aft, you may not get any at the pickup tube. The bow will be rising as well.

[Marcel4t]

I would flip it around. You'll want your fuel pickup at the rear end, otherwise when you throttle up and the fuel goes aft, you may not get any at the pickup tube. The bow will be rising as well.

This is why I love these forums.  Now, I gotta see if my live well will be on top of where an access hatch will go. 

[Marcel4t]

Okay, so I scooped all the old foam out of all the stringers. I pressure wash the insides of the stringers as well, and we'll be waiting a week or so for them to dry out.  One of my concerns is using the old stringers and having them delaminate eventually, as it seems to be something that happens with these old flat backs. So what I would like to do is tab in the insides of the stringers to the hull. My plan would include making fillets out of peanut butter, and then laying strips of glass, inside all the corners. Question is what type of glass should I use? Bi axle of some kind? My other question is how would you guys repair that one Stringer on the port front side in the last picture? I don't think it's a complicated fix just wanted to get some ideas.

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I've been using 1700 for my tabbing but that is partly because I got a good deal on a few 6 and 8 inch rolls of it. I'm no expert but it seems to be working well for me. As for that crack, does it go all the way through the roving or is it just the outside layers? If it's just the outside, I would just grind back all the cracked stuff and lay in 3 or 4 layers to build it back up. When I poured the foam back into mine it really helped to stiffen them up more.

[Marcel4t]

Okay, I need to get something that will be pretty flexible, because some of the angles I will need to tab inside the stringers are pretty tight. 
And the crack of that transom goes all the way through the wall of the transom.  There is that big piece of missing glass.  It's very thin there too.  I guess I can put something behind it, like wood, with some peel-ply, and start building it up from the outside. 

[Tampa Bay Mike]

Maybe you could cut a thin piece of foam to size, like 1/4" divinycell or something, and then coat it real good in resin and clamp it in place. Then when it's cured you can just use it as a form and glass over it and not have to worry about getting it back out? Might work, might not? Just kinda thinking out loud.