building a retrieval boat
 

.....Or re-building, rather. LOL

I have been shopping around, looking for a Dinghy, Tender or a small 10 foot flat bottom boat to use as a recovery vehicle. The past few weeks I have turned up nothing so it was time to rethink the type/length of boat.

I found this 14 foot John boat today and thought why not shrink it to the size I want?

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04018.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04019.jpg



I brought it home and stared at it for an hour formulating my plan of attack. After removing the middle seat and laying out the spots to cut...

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04020.jpg

I started chopping!

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04021.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04022.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04025.jpg

I called my friend who does tig welding, you remember...the one who works for a "cup of coffee"? :lol: I called to see if he had some time on his hands. I set up the boat, sanded the spots where the welds will go and loaded it in the truck for tomorrow.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04024.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04023.jpg

The joints are overlapped 6" and the gun wale joints are staggered from the main cuts to add lateral strength.

The best part is yet to come and I'm not tellin' what it is. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...devilphppp.gif

RE: building a recovery boat
 

Wow a full size project. I will be watching this one.:D

RE: building a recovery boat
 

That is real good engineering crispyspa. Are you planning on putting a blow motor on it? It would probably work. Dennis

RE: building a recovery boat
 

Man, when you got the will you got a way. Good job. I see twins in your future.

RE: building a recovery boat
 

Nice job! I have plans for a 6' Pram for my recovery vessel...just hard finding the time...someday :eek:

Looking forward to your surprise.

RE: building a recovery boat
 

It is a recovery boat so I will need to keep the utilitarian side of it intact. Nothing too lofty here I'm afraid.
Welding was not a option, so I opted for automotive seam sealer and 3/16 aluminum rivets.


http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...a/DSC04026.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...a/DSC04027.jpg


It did leak a tad, so I had to reseal after the float test, but it will hold two adults fairly well.

Option one for an engine for "daily" use is:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGpnbqMATTw&feature=channel_page
[/youtube]

RE: building a recovery boat
 

That's cool, nice engine.

RE: building a recovery boat
 

I see why you did not answer your phone today......Too busy!

RE: building a recovery boat
 

Yea, sorry Andy. [&o]

Made some racks for the boat on top of the truck today. This way I can have the retrevial boat and a full fleet of rc in the bed of the truck. [8D]
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04028.jpg


...and painted the boat.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2...d/DSC04029.jpg

RE: building a recovery boat
 

Just updating old threads...

I've had this boat for almost a year now and the seams are holding nicely. I had a chance to play with it a bit.

I've actually thought of making a dedicated engine and cage for it but then it would be classified as a "real" airboat and subject to all the regulation of when/where/what times I can run.
Videos for those who haven't seen them:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhepc32lsrI[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmI83fkzvqE[/youtube]

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

Thats the biggest Rc Airboat or the smallest full scale boat!:eek: That engine puts out a lot of power!.

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

That's just to cool.
Nice videos.

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

That's just awesome!

So I don't remember why welding wasn't an option. The coffee not strong enough?;)

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

He was afraid of severe warping. on a corner or near the gunnel is ok, but to do a whole flat seam had him worried. It worked out ok though.

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

Crispy, I didn't see anyone else in the boat. Dennis

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

very cool

someday I am going to ride in an airboat

RE: building a retrieval boat
 

My daughter was seated to my left and was running the camera.