FC 470 "Typhoon" project

[Gabi Nicolae]

Hi Guys, as per the members suggestion, I'm starting here a new topic about my project. In order to do not re-attach the pictures etc, here is the link to the existing "new members"thread.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f64/fc470-typhoon-82327.html

Thks for watching and for any input regarding the project.

"I'm Gabi Nicolae, 49, into competition cars, custom bikes and cars and everything in between - Taifun). Since one week ago I'm the very proud owner of a FC470 Zodiac (I was dreaming at it since many years ago). As I own a specialized shop for building automotive and custom stuff, I said to give a try and build a custom FC470.
So far I re-glued some d-rings and prepared the transdom and the other wood parts for polyurethane painting - I think that the good thing in gluing is that I used our vacuum pump in order to have a good bond.
The plan is :
- fabricating a jockey seat and console using ktm 1190 adv saddle, with place underneath for the fuel tank and battery and 2 aditional seats in front of it
- fabricating a rigid floor using the existing roll-up floor, reinforced with aluminium structure and honeycomb aircraft composite panels, for super stiffness
- fabricating a cargo container on the bow, that can transform in a sunbathing place
- a 65 hp engine. Here, pls, any advice would be great, as I don't have the experience in this field. I'm looking for the lightest and most reliable 65 hp engine

Thks for the great library of FC470 related stuff of this forum!

[Gabi Nicolae]

The briefing for the jockey seat console is :

- to stay lower than on the available on the market jockey consoles (that are 600 mm high) - for a better center of gravity. The one we design is at 480 mm high.
- to use the KTM 1190 ADV saddle, as in my opinion is a good, comfortable, weather resistant solution. Plus it's available on eBay for cheap money, new condition, as most of the people is replacing it with Power Parts saddle.
- to be able to accommodate an of the shelf fuel tank of 45 litter capacity
- to be able to accommodate the 12v battery
- to have the option of installing a proper refrigerator of 20 litter capacity
- to be modular, means to either have one seat in front of the console or place for 2 persons in the same location
- of course, to be able to mount the steering, electricals, switches, GPS, radio, etc
- to keep it as light as possible

The way to build it (as we have experience with custom composite parts for our racing cars and projects) is: fabricate a 1:1 scale "rough" console, in order to test the ergonomics, space, hand rails locations, etc, than ACad engineering for everything in order to create the mechanisms, hinges, modularity, etc.

Here is the progress so far.

Any ideas will be appreciated

Thks

[Squid Boat]

Looks like your off to a great start mate. I like your seat position slightly back from amidships. Should help with the ride, that's where I put the seat on my son's boat.



Cheers

[Jimbolio]

I’ll be following this build, looks like it will be a great finished job.

[Gabi Nicolae]

Originally Posted by Jimbolio

I’ll be following this build, looks like it will be a great finished job.

Thks mate [emoji106]

[Gabi Nicolae]

I just received the honeycomb composite panels, 10 mm total thickness, for the boat floor. Out of a Boeing 737 [emoji16][emoji6]

[brveagle]

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in seeing how the floor comes out, as flex can be an issue with these longer boats with a big motor.

[Gabi Nicolae]

Originally Posted by brveagle

Thanks for sharing. I am interested in seeing how the floor comes out, as flex can be an issue with these longer boats with a big motor.

I'm very interested too [emoji16][emoji848]

[Gabi Nicolae]

Some work in progress

[Gabi Nicolae]

Guys, I need your help. In order to buy the necessary parts for my project, I have to decide which engine to us.

The problem is that I want the most powerful one available, up to 60 hp, but at the same time it can't exceed the 90 kg (boat is rated for this weight max). I can fabricate some reinforcements for the transom, , which I'll do anyway, but in order to register the boat I prefer to don not exceed the manufacturer rating.

I'm considering 40, 50 and 60 hp, 2 or 4 stroke (here I need advice as well pls).

I mention that I also need a short shaft (my transom is 15").

I was looking all over internet and stuff, but the 50+ engines weights 96+ kg and do not come with a short shaft.

Please, any ideas will be highly appreciated

thks,

[GuyC]

I'd previously heard a few horror stories of corrosion when using aluminium honeycomb in a marine environment but a quick Google suggests it is pretty common nowadays so they must have sorted the issue out.

There is a fair amount of discussion on shaft length and engines if you search for FC470 engine.

There is a short shaft 50hp on Gumtree at the moment. I've no idea about the engine though.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...rt./1353040860

A Google suggests the dry weight could be 72kg for the lightest model.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/ru/...roke/33-60-hp/

[Gabi Nicolae]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I'd previously heard a few horror stories of corrosion when using aluminium honeycomb in a marine environment but a quick Google suggests it is pretty common nowadays so they must have sorted the issue out.

There is a fair amount of discussion on shaft length and engines if you search for FC470 engine.

There is a short shaft 50hp on Gumtree at the moment. I've no idea about the engine though.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...rt./1353040860

A Google suggests the dry weight could be 72kg for the lightest model.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/ru/...roke/33-60-hp/

Ok, i'll take a look, thanks a lot for your answer

[Solgear]

I built a custom floor with the honeycomb aluminum. It was .75" thick with .060 thick aluminum on each side. I used smooth aluminum and covered it with Seadek which is a really nice foam with an adhesive backing and it works awesome. I had my floor sealed with epoxy on all the edges. and used Seadek scraps to pad a few areas. I'm running it on the Colorado River so I have no idea how the salt water will affect it. Good luck sir.

[Gabi Nicolae]

Originally Posted by Solgear

I built a custom floor with the honeycomb aluminum. It was .75" thick with .060 thick aluminum on each side. I used smooth aluminum and covered it with Seadek which is a really nice foam with an adhesive backing and it works awesome. I had my floor sealed with epoxy on all the edges. and used Seadek scraps to pad a few areas. I'm running it on the Colorado River so I have no idea how the salt water will affect it. Good luck sir.

Thanks for your information!

[Gabi Nicolae]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I'd previously heard a few horror stories of corrosion when using aluminium honeycomb in a marine environment but a quick Google suggests it is pretty common nowadays so they must have sorted the issue out.

There is a fair amount of discussion on shaft length and engines if you search for FC470 engine.

There is a short shaft 50hp on Gumtree at the moment. I've no idea about the engine though.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...rt./1353040860

A Google suggests the dry weight could be 72kg for the lightest model.

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/ru/...roke/33-60-hp/

Well, I checked the info. All the Mariner +40 HP are heavier than the required 90 kg, unfortunately. And only 2 of them (40 hp) can come with a short shaft...

Any more ideas pls? [emoji57]