Avon 12ft (3.8) rover, older, have to build a thrust boat... small keel on these ehg

[achillies-14]

* i meant small thrust board
I bought a 12ft 3.8 avon rover, i think late 80s so a bit of the older style front end. I also am suprised how tiny the keel is in this boat and have now seen that (i think) these models would typically have a board glued in across that is under the floor and pushes the keel down and tightens the floor. I guess i will try to build this as it was missing. I can't see any evidence it was there but maybe it was remove well.

Has anyone any experience with these boats and or build a thrust board. I guess old zodiacs had them before.

[Ribtecer]

I have a Rover 310 that I have had for nearly 30 years.

I have never had or heard of a thrust board. I don't think you'd get the floor down with something glued underneath it, as it hinges down as you assemble it. And when mine is all together as is should be, the floor is quite tight.

I'd try it as it is before you tinker with it.

[achillies-14]

hi Ribteck.
THanks for the reply.

If you have a minute, if you look at this thread, there is someone with the same situation as me, and it shows a picture with the thrust board in. I think it is meant to push the keel tigher. I do have several other pictures of it from different sites.

I am not sure if my boat is supposed to have this, or yours.. buy maybe. Apparently people take them out whne they get lose.

Here is the thread and about half way down it shows a boat with the board.
https://www.rib.net/forum/f39/avon-s...ils-67558.html

[Ribtecer]

That thread is about the S400 which is a different model and an older version of the Rover series.

Different design, different floor system.

I've never felt the need to redesign/improve my boat, I don't use it much now, but I have used it quite a lot and I loved every minute of it.

[achillies-14]

Hi. It would be a huge relief to find out my boat isn't supposed to have a "thrust board"
I wish i could show you some pictures and some replies from my facebook posts inside of the avon seariders group. There a man said he has the "same boat as me" and shows a picture of the glued in thrust board.

This 12 ft boat has a pretty tiny keel, and so i think the board is supposed to force that down between the floorboards and the floor fabric and without it the bottom of the boat has a hook and so performance is really bad. I think i noticed this on one of times i used the boat.

I am happy to hear someone saying perhaps my boat doesn't have this board removed. as it is a pain to built it and glue it in. I can't find out exactly where it goes and how think and stuff. But if the original design had it i feel i must get it back up to spec. ..

My boat is a 1990

Sadly avon company is long gone so no tech support.

[Ribtecer]

My boat doesn't need it that's for sure.

Try it as it before you decide would be my advice.

[achillies-14]

Ya you got me thinking that i should keep researching before i ad this. I can't see any eveidence like old glue really.