Flatacraft spares+ newbie advice

[Fozzyal08]

Hi all,

I'm totally new to ribbing and have just purchased/rescued a Flatacraft Force 4 as a winter project.

The boat has seen better days but due to its age its how I was expecting. It's all there including seats and throttle/steering controls.

I used touleone? (spelling) this morning to clean it and then washed with washing up liquid which has made a slight improvement however it is very faded and covered in black spots, possibly mildew? Is it wise to try milton baby fluid on this?

I have been desperately trying to find Tony Lee-Elliot's number to ask about sourcing a new bow dodger because mine has shrunk somewhat! Guessing it was left in the sun.
I went to buy some hypalon this morning but it worked out at £143 to get the right size. Does anyone have a number for him please?

Thanks in advance,

Alex

[Dirk Diggler]

01202 623828 is the last number I had for him.

[Nasher]

Tony sold Flatacraft a few years ago now, and the new company went under.

The last time I spoke to them they were taking over all the spares as well, so I'm not sure what's happened to them now.

Nasher.

[Fozzyal08]

Ok thanks guys.

Nasher, I 've seen from your previous posts that you know a fair bit about these boats. Do you have any idea how to remake the front canopy that attaches to the bow plate? I was thinking of using PVC as I dont think I can stretch to hypalon. I've got the old one but as I said its really shrunk.

Alex

[Nasher]

Fozzy

I'd make a template using a large sheet of paper and go from there.
Any waterproof material will do, as long s you can stick or sew the Velcro on the sides.

Nasher.

[Fozzyal08]

Good plan, I'l give it a go.

You don;t happen to have any plans for the windscreens you made for yours lying around do you? I'm totally clueless not having even seen one.

Fozzyal

[Nasher]

Hi.

Don't have any plans laying around I'm afraid, but I'll find some images at home later and post them to give you a clue.

Nasher.

[Fozzyal08]

Thanks again!

I'm glad i found this site!!!

Fozzyal

[Nasher]

Sorry mate, I can't find any better images than those I posted here:-

Early Dive boats and Flatacraft Force 4's

The screen is just a flat sheet, so again a thick paper or card template could be mocked up first to get the shape how you want it.

The early ones did have a small Lip turned over across the top edge, but Flatacraft soon gave up with them and supplied any replacements without it.
If you look carefully you can see it in the very early image of Anna XXV on the slipway.

The material you use will need to be quite strong, as we always found passengers first reaction when getting in or out was to grab the screen for support and could break it.

Good luck.

Nasher.

[Daniel]

how big'a peice of hypalon do you need and what colour? I happen to have a large peice surpless in the garage... for a lot less than £150!!!!