Avon S400 floor boards

entropy · 03 September 2009, 00:39

I just picked up a used Avon S400 inflatable. It needs some patch work and a couple of new valves, but nothing too extensive. Overall in good shape considering its age. Avon really built these things well. This will be a step up from my Avon Redcrest and Redseal boats!

I'm not sure if I may be missing some parts for the floor board system, and I'm hoping someone here can help. I have the floor panel sections, but that is all. There are no stringers, but I don't know if this boat uses stringers. If anyone here owns one of these boats could you please post some photos of the floor mounted in the boat? I'm not clear on how it is attached to the boat.

If someone has a copy of the owner's manual that they could scan that would be great.

Thanks!

chris123 · 03 September 2009, 07:40

Yes, the S400 should have stringers - hopefully this thread should give you a few pointers:

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31138

Cheers

Chris

entropy · 03 September 2009, 13:35

Chris,

Thanks for the reply, very informative. I definitely don't have the stringers. I'm going to look online to see if I can track some down. If anyone has a good source for these please let me know.

Thanks,
Greg

entropy · 05 September 2009, 13:43

It looks like I'm also missing the wood block at the base of the transom. I can see where it was once attached by a series of screws.

Does someone have a photo of an S400 transom they can post so I can get an idea of what I need to build?

Thanks.

chris123 · 06 September 2009, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

It looks like I'm also missing the wood block at the base of the transom. I can see where it was once attached by a series of screws.

Does someone have a photo of an S400 transom they can post so I can get an idea of what I need to build?

Thanks.

Sorry, I don't have a photo but it should be quite straightforward - it should just be a strip of timber 1" square (or maybe a bit bigger) running across the width of the transom. I'll try and get a photot later of my current SIB which is similar but somewhat bigger.

Cheers

Chris

m chappelow · 06 September 2009, 09:22

does this photo help ,

entropy · 08 September 2009, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

does this photo help ,

Thanks, yes that helps a lot. This forum is a great resource.

Do the floor boards wedge tightly between the transom board (transom batten I guess it's called) and the rubber floor, or is there a little space between the bottom of the wood floor and the rubber? I need to determine how far up to mount the new batten board.

m chappelow · 09 September 2009, 09:50

i would fit the floor board/s in the boat then fully inflate, make sure the boards are fitted in correctly ,and then place the battern against the transom and the floor ,,the battern goes on top of the floorboard ,,to see how close fit you will need, rather than guessing it ,that way you know it will be right .mart

entropy · 11 September 2009, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

i would fit the floor board/s in the boat then fully inflate, make sure the boards are fitted in correctly ,and then place the battern against the transom and the floor ,,the battern goes on top of the floorboard ,,to see how close fit you will need, rather than guessing it ,that way you know it will be right .mart

Good idea, I'll try it that way.

I'm missing the stringers for this boat. Does anyone know of a source for them? I've been looking for aluminum channel, but I can't find any that has the triangular shape shown in Avon's manual:

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....8&d=1121334581

chris123 · 11 September 2009, 16:01

The older Avon's stringers were made up of an aluminium U section with a triangular wooden section attached (as per photo)

Might be an easier option?

Cheers

Chris

markg · 11 September 2009, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

Good idea, I'll try it that way.

I'm missing the stringers for this boat. Does anyone know of a source for them? I've been looking for aluminum channel, but I can't find any that has the triangular shape shown in Avon's manual:

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....8&d=1121334581

i looked for quite some time time and contacted avon who never got back to me, your best option is probably to cut a single piece main deck from a sheet of ply, my main deck board was 10ft, so a 10ft sheet cost me £75, if yours is 8ft or less you should be able to do it quite cheaply

entropy · 11 September 2009, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris123

The older Avon's stringers were made up of an aluminium U section with a triangular wooden section attached (as per photo)

Might be an easier option?

Cheers

Chris

Excellent idea Chris, thanks. I had assumed based on that page from the Avon owner's manual that the stringers had to be all metal. I'll look for some U channel and then make some wood pieces for the triangular section that wedges under the tubes.

I'm thinking I'll use ipe wood for water resistance. Any idea what wood Avon used?

entropy · 19 September 2009, 03:03

The previous owner of this inflatable stripped the floor boards and the transom. What would be a suitable coating, polyurethane?

chris123 · 20 September 2009, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by entropy

The previous owner of this inflatable stripped the floor boards and the transom. What would be a suitable coating, polyurethane?

Any yacht varnish would do - eg International Original or Goldspar:

http://www.yachtpaint.com/uk//produc...t.asp#CP321583

The two pack polyurethane are overkill really, and will only work on bare wood.

USA stockists here:

http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/salesO...utletsMain.asp

I don't know if it is the same where you are, but over here the DIY stores sell products marked up as 'yacht varnish'. Performance in my experience is rubbish, better to stick to a 'real' yacht varnish.

Cheers

Chris