FC470 Plywood Bow Board for Aluminium Hard Deck

Crapgame · 20 July 2021, 23:30

I now have the 4 piece hard deck (last piece thanks to N2Gypsy), but not the marine plywood bow board. Did anybody ever sketch one up?

A few people over the years have asked but I haven't seen any dims posted on the site.

Solgear · 21 July 2021, 17:15

We have just made our own out of aluminum. Weld some tubing on the end of the rectangled decking and then some on the edge of the aluminum bow piece and connect the two with a grade 8 bolt. This provides flex. Just take your own measurements so the bow board fits under the tubes. Photos shown are of an F470 floor in my 13' Avon. I changed out the wood for aluminum and I installed Sea Deck on the aluminum. We have done this to 5 other sport boats, one of which is just like yours.

Ragnar · 20 August 2021, 01:23

It's not required, all the 470's I've had just have a hypalon cover over that area, but here are the dimensions from a stock board off Defender's website, they are available.

Crapgame · 20 August 2021, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragnar

It's not required, all the 470's I've had just have a hypalon cover over that area, but here are the dimensions from a stock board off Defender's website, they are available.

Thank you, Ragnar. I've been on a rollercoaster with this particular boat. Sold to me as an FC-530, but 3 of the 4 hard decks are actually for an FC-470. I scored the 4th panel from N2Gypsy, I have a complete set of hard deck for the FC-470 but can't use it with the FC-530. I found a Red Achilles SG-140 complete with hard deck for $1200 locally today, some black hypalon paint, drop my 55hp IMARS on it and Bob's my uncle I suppose.

Crapgame · 27 August 2021, 00:58

Ragnar, how thick is the bow plywood supposed to be? I've got a marine supply around the corner with bits for docks, bulkheads, lifts and marine plywood. I figure the complete kit would be easier to sell, turn-key for somebody needing the FC470 deck. At least, short of the stringers.

Speaking of which, the Achilles extrusions appear to be close to what Zodiac uses. The Achilles bow plate is 1/2" fiberglass composite.

Hopefully I'll have my trailer welding done by next week to at least test drive the Achilles SB140/IMARS 55hp for Labor Day weekend here.