Flatacraft spares+ newbie advice

Fozzyal08 · 05 October 2009, 14:39

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:18

01202 623828 is the last number I had for him.

Nasher · 05 October 2009, 15:27

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:35

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:43

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:47

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:54

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 · 05 October 2009, 15:59

Thanks again!

I'm glad i found this site!!!

Fozzyal

Nasher · 05 October 2009, 16:39

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

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32368

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 · 06 October 2009, 13:02

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!!!!

Daniel · 06 October 2009, 13:04

i can also supply a template for this bow dodger

Fozzyal08 · 06 October 2009, 18:51

Hi mate,

Did you remake your bow dodger? Mine is approximately 6 inches to short from the screen area to the front panel.

The hypalon was going to be used for replacing this bow dodger so I suppose 4ft by3ft ish. I was after red hypalon.

Do you still own that flatacraft?

Cheers,

Fozzyal

Daniel · 07 October 2009, 09:35

Crikey no, i sold that boat 5-10 years ago!!

I take no responsibility for the bow dodger in the pic, but i did buy a replacmnt peice of hypalon which i never bothered fitting. I will measure it.

The boat went well with an old 50 merc, you could ski off it no problem.

Fozzyal08 · 12 October 2009, 17:59

Any luck with finding that hypalon mate?

Cheers,

Alex

Oldun · 24 August 2011, 10:40

I hope it is current but I have 2. 0116 2303100 & 07860455222. I too am about to refurb a force 4. I remember when my family was young whilsst on holiday at Shaws fanm in Wittering I thought they were too pretty to be any good. 75 years on this planet has tought me that I am not always right. Sorry if this is bad manners but I am as new to computors as I am at ribbing but I do have a problem. If Tony isnt still selling I can get hypalon repair stuff from Pollymarine of maybe someone knows of a supplier nearer to me, a good lump of 6mm perspex came with it and the bowdodger should be achieveable. My problem is twofold. 1. The steering gearbox and the Quicksilver engine control were dismantled 4 years ago by the previous owner and placed in the one box. I think I have the Quicksilver unit sorted and the rest must be steering bits. If someone has information on either, please help. I won`t be doing much on either till I have finnished my house and shed roofs. Those items have ensured the my oriinal dream of getting an old Panther sloper on the road. The force 4 will be less expensive and will meen I can cruise and fish when my sons arn`t here or I can deliver the to dive sites when they are. Can`t wait

Hope my contribution helps and my request is fruitfull. OLDUN

Oldun · 24 August 2011, 12:49

Just been rained off the roof so to return to my 5 sons & 1 daughter and what to do with the in the force 4, scenic I can do but info on dive sites would be good for 2 of my lads, one haveing more experience.
Lendalfoot looks out onto Ailsa Craige and the Mull of Kintyre, minway between Girvan and Ballantrae. any guidance? Before anyone has convulsions, they don`t all come to Lendalfoot together - and if the did, I carry a maximum of 3 passengers.
OLDUN