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BWB
04-23-2008, 03:31 AM
Could I ask a few of the flatbottom riggers to post a couple of pictures detailing some engine rail systems?
Thanks
RiverRacer
04-23-2008, 04:54 AM
Is this for a drag boat or circle boat???..
BWB
04-23-2008, 12:27 PM
A ski or circle boat.
RiverRacer
04-23-2008, 03:35 PM
I made these a while back for a circle boat on blown gas!..

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9271/21completedkw2.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/7153/13reardonebv7.jpg
BWB
04-23-2008, 03:49 PM
Nice job. So, am I seeing it right - the rails are aluminum angle that is bolted to the longitudinal stringers?
V-Drive Video
04-23-2008, 04:10 PM
http://www.v-drivevideo.net/pictures/albums/userpics/normal_DSC05677.JPG

http://www.v-drivevideo.net/pictures/albums/userpics/normal_DSC05676.JPG
RiverRacer
04-23-2008, 04:14 PM
Nice job. So, am I seeing it right - the rails are aluminum angle that is bolted to the longitudinal stringers?

Yep, top is milled to the stringer and a flat plate on the outside for backing!..
BWB
04-23-2008, 04:38 PM
Great job. Probably wwwaaayyy overkill for the vintage, low HP ex-ski flatbottoms we are working on! It is funny, we have had only a couple of older circle boats come in here, and many recreational flatties come through. The recreational boat stringers are always more beat up and abused than the race boats. What do they do to these things?!
Thank you for sharing your work.
shooter2
04-23-2008, 10:41 PM
Jerry: That is the exact way I did my boat, and like it that way. I wouldn't change it if I had the chance. But some of the critics said it would make the boat to stiff. Made the blocks that hold the motor plate in out of solid aluminum and milled them out. Saw that idea in one of Bob Goettel's Revenges. They also doubled as sling hooks as they were similar on the v-drive, just beefier. Just wondering what peoples opinion on this may be. Dont forget this was in a Can Am boat, not a SS, so I wasn't to concerned about wieght.

Brian
Norseman
04-23-2008, 10:43 PM
Art;

Are you using 1 X 3 X 1/4 angle and then 3 X 1/4 flat stock or 2 X 3 X 1/4trimmed to the width of the stringers?

Bob
RiverRacer
04-24-2008, 03:46 AM
Bob,

It all depends on the height/thickness of the stringers and where the motor ends up at, I do use 1/4 structural and get the closest that fit and mill the rounded edge off, I always line up the motor first then figure the rest. The one in the pic was mostly done but the plates and mounts were garbage, so I did it to match the existing stuff!..
flatbroke
04-24-2008, 05:29 AM
Here are some pics of the rails only on a Ski Boat set-up that has worked for 28 years. These pics also show what happens to Annodizing over time when the sun fades it. This boat only sees sun when it is in the water and all that aluminum used to be RED.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/flatbroke-1/inside1.jpg

The plate on the outside of the stringer is new. It had stringer washers previously and one of them was cracking the fiberglass. After grinding it out and repairing I made a flat plate to spread the load. Keep in mind, I work with a hacksaw and file and EVERYTHING is low budget!!!:(

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/flatbroke-1/inside2.jpg
RiverRacer
04-24-2008, 05:37 AM
That's pretty good for 28 years, red is the worst color for fading even worse than black, had to be a good shop that did it!... I don't know why they ever did stringer washers on anything structural, even though the stringers are glassed the wood still compresses, I've seen stringer washers pulled in a 1/4", backing plate is the only way to go!...
George1301
06-14-2008, 05:49 AM
One thing I found that will extend the life of the material... Most extruded materials are what are classed as H32 grade... somewhat soft and "guey"... For structual plates I would recomend grades such as 2024-T4 or 6061-T6 stuff... They polish brighter as well.
As for the hacksaw & file... Never leave the shop with out it..!

Geo
RiverRacer
06-14-2008, 05:58 AM
6061-T6 is the stuff to use for plates and stuff, and on the cav plates make sure the grain runs for and aft!..
gfinishline
06-30-2008, 06:32 AM
WOW ! I haven't seen a chromed Power Glide ring in over 15 years!
SonnyGlide
06-30-2008, 11:55 AM
thats a good look'n Sanger
Roaddogg 4040
06-30-2008, 05:17 PM
WOW ! I haven't seen a chromed Power Glide ring in over 15 years!

I have one in the K boat, George. Ya got to have a little chrome once in a while...:D

Steve
Norseman
07-01-2008, 01:54 AM
WOW ! I haven't seen a chromed Power Glide ring in over 15 years!

Thats part of Art's secret stash!!!
gfinishline
07-01-2008, 03:27 AM
I've had to weld "spools and plates" together to make a part that does the same job, as that GM part. Art! Got any Warren Hurricane hulls in your stash???
RiverRacer
07-03-2008, 04:42 AM
Thats part of Art's secret stash!!!

Shhhhhhhh, I do have one though, never will get chromed though!..:D
RiverRacer
07-03-2008, 04:43 AM
Art! Got any Warren Hurricane hulls in your stash???

Sorry bud don't have any, unfortunately!...:D
gfinishline
07-03-2008, 05:11 AM
I wonder where the molds are located?
RiverRacer
07-03-2008, 05:17 AM
I wonder where the molds are located?

That's a good question, I've asked around and nobody seems to know what they are let alone where the molds are, they got to be around somewhere collecting dust though!...
shooter2
07-03-2008, 05:34 AM
Shhhhhhhh, I do have one though, never will get chromed though!..:D


I think I have 3 or 4 of them left. Getting hard to find. I know Mel had alot of them, sold some to Bergeron I think.

brian
RiverRacer
07-03-2008, 05:41 AM
I think I have 3 or 4 of them left. Getting hard to find. I know Mel had alot of them, sold some to Bergeron I think.

brian

Keep them they are an investment,lol. I can remember seeing them stacked up at the Swap Meets for next to nothing, couldn't get give them away now they're priceless!..