Fitting Borika FASTen glue-on mounts.

[Fenlander]

I've had a GoPro for some years now but apart from a few bits of snatched footage using the hand grip I've not really used it on the Aerotec. For this year's hols though I'd like it somewhere fixed to just leave it running without worrying too much about composition and angles and see what we get. Decided to fit a couple of Borika FASTen equipment/fixing mounts on the tubes just forward of the cone join. Movement should be less than any location further forward and the camera does have image stabilisation. In case the footage is rubbish from there I've also bought a pair of cleats to go in the mounts so I can say that was the intention all along.

To mount the GoPro I bought the adjustable version of their camera mount arm.

Waited a few days for the Garage temp and moisture readings to get in the right range then prepped as usual for PVC gluing with the tubes fully inflated. Ribstore glue on this occasion, I find it goes on thinner than some more gloopy types which makes for an easier job, particularly on the second coat.

[Fenlander]

As the mounts are quite strong and keen to stay flat as opposed to the curve of the tubes while the glue was just turning tacky I let enough air out for a firm pressure to produce a concave bonding area so the edges were less inclined to separate. I popped on the cleats and used tight bungees to hold everything for 48hrs.

I rolled the edges a few times initially with a wallpaper roller that has the rubber finished wheel, this enables the pressure to be better distributed to the edges.

A few days later the finished job.

[D4V33]

You’ve managed to do a nice neat job of that! I’m considering doing exactly the same.

[Steve509926]

Very tidy job David. I look forward to seeing the footage you get from it.

[Fenlander]

Thanks. Having owned this same SIB for ten years now I'm running out of things to glue to it.

[Peter_C]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Thanks. Having owned this same SIB for ten years now I'm running out of things to glue to it.

You could glue a patch over the outside edges of the Gopro mount

If you get another part like that to glue down and it isn't conforming before glue up, heat it slowly, really hot with a heat gun, and form (Overform slightly) it over a similar radius to the tube, letting it cool. Think coffee can. You do want a lower pressure when gluing, but preforming parts would allow for a higher pressure than being so easily pushed in and deforming the tubes. Scratch that part and tube with 60 grit sandpaper to rip it up for bonding too.

[Fenlander]

Good tip re heating up any over-rigid part Peter but difficult with these.

The Borika mounts are a bit of a challenge as the central part with the bolts and latching mechanism is hard plastic and rigid. It's only the outer flange that you can flex to any degree. They seemed fine after several days then I deflated and put the boat away. If these mounts have come off in storage when I next unpack I'll really grumble.