Aerotec mods over winter

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 15:48

Could not find a bow dodger so made one.
Made new seat so fitted battery, Fish finder, Rod holder etc.
Do not like laying zodiac wheels in boat when under way, so manufactured to inside transom.
Unable to stear with zodiac paddles, so fitted row locks etc.
Reorganised pelli box.

Will add pics,

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 15:56

Few more pics

matt h · 23 March 2013, 17:21

You got too much time on your hands Mr!! Fantastic bow dodger!

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 17:24

Toooooooooooo much time but gets the job done.

whisper · 23 March 2013, 17:30

Well done! Nice mods

lockieboi · 23 March 2013, 17:53

Very nice

What's the second radio for? Looks like a PMR.

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 18:13

Yes the second radio is PMR two way , just another form of communication with friends on shore,

Peter_C · 23 March 2013, 19:02

Nice job

I made some similar mods to yours. No dodger since that is precious space, which is where the anchor and scuba tanks go. I changed out my original wooden paddle for two plastic resin ones with aluminum handles. Had to build mounts for the oars but did so inside the boat out of the way. No rowing just paddling and hopefully never. I built my own wheel launching setup, but didn't even consider not have them store on the transom when in the water. I use a chartplotter too, but put mine into an electronics tower with my VHF, and battery. It slides into a mount on the floor.

Funny how similar some of our mods are

Adamn · 23 March 2013, 20:07

Where are you going to put the sofa?!

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 20:15

Hi peter
I have aerotec bow bag,
But made bow dodger to keep bag contents totaly dry,

I could not believe £250 zodiac launch wheel han no fixings to boat for when on water,
so did some fabricating.

Have you any pics of your launch setup ?
cheers Graham

Nos4r2 · 23 March 2013, 20:51

Looks good!

Where did you get the clips for the bow dodger and is that bungee cord holding it on?

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 21:46

Bow dodger clips from zodiac not cheap and you need to heat up and reshape as they are for rib not sib strake.

6mm bungee cord ebay.

The bow dodger on the boat pic was the first try,
But the one on the sofa fits boat really good.
good luck

SmithG · 23 March 2013, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamn

Where are you going to put the sofa?!

Adamn

yep will fit sofa soon just doing a few calculations.

graham

Peter_C · 24 March 2013, 02:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithG

Hi peter
I have aerotec bow bag,
But made bow dodger to keep bag contents totally dry.

Although rare when I do want to keep stuff dry we have a couple of dry bags.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithG

I could not believe £250 zodiac launch wheel han no fixings to boat for when on water,
so did some fabricating.

Seems to me like almost everything needs a modification in some way. I spent a lot more than that between the Wheeleez tyres and stainless material.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithG

Have you any pics of your launch setup ?
cheers Graham

I am not going to clutter up your thread with my pics but here are links.

http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....4&d=1345735532
http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....5&d=1351536864
http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....6&d=1345793705
Space is important to me...
http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....3&d=1344744186
http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....2&d=1343542589
http://www.rib.net/forum/attachment....7&d=1330928861

Nos4r2 · 24 March 2013, 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithG

Bow dodger clips from zodiac not cheap and you need to heat up and reshape as they are for rib not sib strake.

6mm bungee cord ebay.

The bow dodger on the boat pic was the first try,
But the one on the sofa fits boat really good.
good luck

Cool, I'm on the hunt for something to hold a tent on with.

SmithG · 24 March 2013, 11:38

Yes peter youv got some cracking mods,
I think the launch wheels is best investment especially retrieving at low tide.
Next purchase is life jacket for dog as she likes sitting on the tubes.

Peter_C · 24 March 2013, 18:53

Heh, my dog put the life jacket on herself.

SmithG · 24 March 2013, 21:19

Dog fell overboard shortley after this pic so need jacket

PeterM · 24 March 2013, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithG

Yes peter youv got some cracking mods,
I think the launch wheels is best investment especially retrieving at low tide.
Next purchase is life jacket for dog as she likes sitting on the tubes.

Totally agree with you on the launch wheels....on the recent 'SIB club' cruise I stuck the wheels down then motored on up the beach ...almost to the point where you could step out with withou getting wet...

Great boats and great mods ...I'm on the hunt for a real bombard bow bag ( the stand in ripped itself to bits due to some err 'race' moments on same cruise....)

I nearly got mine out the garage today to give it some TLC - but the F1 got in the way...

Peter_C · 25 March 2013, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM

I stuck the wheels down then motored on up the beach ...

What is required to put your wheels under the boat in the water? I would assume you can fairly easily push them under the water? Plus putting them back up is just a matter of cutting them loose and picking them up?

Due to buoyancy, I struggle and have to get in the water and force them back under the boat, or if I do not want to get in the water, I built a rope and pulley system that allow me to pull and push them underwater using an oar.

Putting my wheels up requires cutting one loose at a time and turning the boat with heavy throttle and they will POP to the surface. Then fold them up and put the pin in.