733 Project Boat - Tube Install

[MASATS]

The tubes were installed today. It went pretty well with the help of four other men. Two were Klem and Sylvester from Inflatable Solutions Inc. www.inflatablesolutions.net. They made the project go very smooth. They had some cleaning products which really did a quick job of making the tubes look good. Install time was four hours. Next week we finish the engine install and the outdrive. Electrical is also on going at Diversified Yacht.

[columbiachop]

looks great. so those are new tubes then? do you mind sharing where you got them and giving a ballpark on how much they set you back?

also, are you keeping the blue light? i want a blue light

[MASATS]

No they are the original tubes I bought with the boat. The Coast Guard cut their name out of the tubes and left a rectangle about 6 feet long and 10 inches high on each side. 84 Inflatables of Ft Lauderdale made the repair by removing the tube and gaining access inside the tube. The costs was $2,500 to repair and another $500 to reinstall them on the boat. Inflatable Solutions of Miami and Sarasota did the install along with a few friends.
I like my blue light too but I am going to cover it before sea trials. No point in getting arrested for impersonating a Federal Official on the first run.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by MASATS

No they are the original tubes I bought with the boat. The Coast Guard cut their name out of the tubes and left a rectangle about 6 feet long and 10 inches high on each side. 84 Inflatables of Ft Lauderdale made the repair by removing the tube and gaining access inside the tube. The costs was $2,500 to repair and another $500 to reinstall them on the boat. Inflatable Solutions of Miami and Sarasota did the install along with a few friends.
I like my blue light too but I am going to cover it before sea trials. No point in getting arrested for impersonating a Federal Official on the first run.

Is it just me that thinks your coastguard must be paddling in a gene pool so shallow they barely get their toes wet?

That's like taking the doors off a car to remove signwriting!

Love the rib!

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by MASATS

I like my blue light too but I am going to cover it before sea trials. No point in getting arrested for impersonating a Federal Official on the first run.

In these parts, you would be guilty of impersonating a snow plow!

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Is it just me that thinks your coastguard must be paddling in a gene pool so shallow they barely get their toes wet?

My boat used to belong to a regional marine police unit. They just had a large "patch" of hypalon glued over the wording, so I ended up with a double-thick tube there, which is great as I drag my dive tanks over this area of the tube... Cutting out a huge section of the tube doesn't seem too bright!

Your boat does look great... I love the grey tubes on orange hull. My last rib was "grey on yellow" and I was fond of that as well. It's kind of "understated" for normal use, but screams out for attention should you end up down side up!

[jyasaki]

Cutting out a huge section of the tube doesn't seem too bright!

Seems to be pretty common with surplus boats, though; Gotta admit, it's a lot faster than actually removing the lettering/numbering.

jky

[FedRich]

Any idea what cleaning products they used on the sponsons? The results look great!

[MASATS]

The installers where very secretive about the product they were using. It was in a clear unmarked bottle and had the smell of vinegar. They say they are going to market it soon. Contact them at 941 705 0921. Who knows they may tell you. They used something different to move the mold off my white Nautica tubes and it worked slow but very well.
Sea Trails and final floor and jockey seats are to be installed this week. Hopefully I will have complete pictures and details soon.

[FedRich]

Thanks, I'll give them a call. The tube set on my assigned 733 O/B is 10 years old and the boat is kept outside, so getting the oxidation off and keeping it clean is always an issue.