Cushion flooring?

thomas · 01 February 2008, 16:47

Hi guys, Im wanting to put down some rubber or gel flooring on the Thundercat for this years racing, just to giuve some cushioning. Theres one company I have seen which claim that if you drop a egg form 18 meters onto their 2cm thick gel mat, that it wont break. Just looking for some ideas. Thinking of using some forcefeild body armour to protect your insides and back a bit aswell.

Ideas and suggestions?

thomas · 01 February 2008, 16:50

the link to the gel company http://www.gelmec.co.uk/GelmecSiliconeFoamsPage.htm

codprawn · 01 February 2008, 16:56

Don't know if it would be suitable but Maplin have an offer on interlocking rubber/foam matting - £14.99 for a big pack made by rolson. I bought some to make more fenders with!!!

Nos4r2 · 01 February 2008, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Don't know if it would be suitable but Maplin have an offer on interlocking rubber/foam matting - £14.99 for a big pack made by rolson. I bought some to make more fenders with!!!

Have you got a link for that?

codprawn · 01 February 2008, 17:07

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

Just found it - I spotted it in our local shop yesterday looking for bargaions - not opened it yet.

It's hard stuff one side and normal foam the other - may glue it back to back. Might even buy some more and use it properly!!!

Nos4r2 · 01 February 2008, 17:15

Cheers! Does it absorb water?

codprawn · 01 February 2008, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Cheers! Does it absorb water?

Dunno yet!!! Will stick one in the bath later...............

thomas · 01 February 2008, 20:36

that look likes quite good, i need something that can deal with high impact. Theres a video on youtube that really shows what we go through while racing these small boats (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7MesoqnAiE

) Any other ideas, keep them coming, also if you have any ideas on body armour, helmets etc all will be notted.

Cheers

yorfuoj · 02 February 2008, 09:11

you could use an hypelon special fabrix, made by Pennel, called Orca 270.
It is a double wall fabric, ie the 2 sides are connected by wires.
Existing in 5, 10, 15 and 20cm between walls.
When the shape has been cut, you "just" have to add the perimetral fabric to get a closed inflatable cushion.
Dont forget the valve !

The softness will be adjusted by inflating more or less.

This fabric is used to make cushions able to lift big aeroplanes

havener · 02 February 2008, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

Theres one company I have seen which claim that if you drop a egg form 18 meters onto their 2cm thick gel mat, that it wont break.

Ideas and suggestions?

Ostrich eggs?

thomas · 02 February 2008, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorfuoj

you could use an hypelon special fabrix, made by Pennel, called Orca 270.
It is a double wall fabric, ie the 2 sides are connected by wires.
Existing in 5, 10, 15 and 20cm between walls.
When the shape has been cut, you "just" have to add the perimetral fabric to get a closed inflatable cushion.
Dont forget the valve !

The softness will be adjusted by inflating more or less.

This fabric is used to make cushions able to lift big aeroplanes

That sounds good, Ribeye use Orca aswell so I can easily investigate that one. Thanks for that. Re what egg lol I dont know, what ever it is I find it hard to believe.

I was thinking about maybe some of that Gym matting stuff that seem quite thick, that you do Judo on and stuff.

Robbie Diesel · 03 February 2008, 12:57

Tom, these boat mats seems very popular in america. Certainly looks ideal for the deck of a rib but I'm not so familiar with Zap Cats. Other than I've never seen anything on the water corner so fast!

www.seashocks.com

Ed the Duck · 06 February 2008, 13:56

For flooring in a thundercat I would recommend using expanded polyethylene foam. It's resistant to petrol spills, doesn't rot, relatively cheap and can provide good impact protection. It's easy to cut to shape and can be built up to provide extra thickness near the bow. It is a closed cell and therefore doesnt absorb water.

Plastazote is a brandname refering to an expanded PE foam (a google search should find several suppliers). LD45 density seems to work well. I use a thickness of 12mm at the stern, and double that towards the bow.

Hope this helps

Ed

Ezgoing · 06 February 2008, 22:04

tom

check out the skydek flooring on this zodiac.

http://www.zodiaccz7.com/

best of luck

Nos4r2 · 07 February 2008, 01:59

The seashocks mats work out awfully expensive to use all over a Zapcat floor.

$150 for 17.25"x32.25" mats and that's before shipping,import duty etc.

chris123 · 07 February 2008, 18:49

Would something like this be of any use?

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index..._product/29098

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index..._product/30302

There are various different sizes / thicknesses available

Cheers

Chris

codprawn · 07 February 2008, 19:05

Just go to maplin - £14.99!!!

craigdavis · 07 February 2008, 19:16

Just grin and bare it i have race 3 years with out a mat and been across the chanel in one without a mat you will be fine. Anyway think of the advertising space u have on the deck there and also its all extra weight.

jwalker · 07 February 2008, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigdavis

Just grin and bare it i have race 3 years with out a mat and been across the chanel in one without a mat you will be fine. Anyway think of the advertising space u have on the deck there and also its all extra weight.

Aye, but wait until you're 55 when all of those aches and pains begin to return. "Oh fek, I remember when I did that." begins to enter your vocabulary.