FS18 = Flats Stalker 18

[Jpatburke]

Im all for super light. Like my neighbor Jerry I wanna keep it shallow. Id love to see the trim tabs! I want to use em but dont want to deal with the weight of hydro or a huge battery.
I also will use a TM but only when i fish alone. I like the removable TM mount on the "Unnamed Boat Manufacturer" page. The idea of simple and flexible is very appealing to me.

I also want to add a bait well that I will use mostly as dry storage but pipe it just in case i use bait.

I think there are gonna be like 10 people building this boat at the same time.
Has anything like this ever happened on this site before?

Man, this is gonna be fun!

-JB

[FLYonWALL9]

Trolling motor bracket.
http://www.birdsallmarine.com/page29.html

I had one on my OB and it worked great. Best thing to do is make a
really large backing plate when you make your decks. Mine wasn't
large enough and I had some deck flex with a 54lb trolling motor.

At one time we had prolly 5 or 6 of us working at the same time
on OB15's it was pretty cool. We all came up with little tricks and
tips along the way. I'm sure this one will not be any different in
that respect. It should be fun.

[mikebro72]

im thinking...a buildoff...see who gets theirs completed first....nah...just playin..

about the trolling motor...i was thinking the same thing, just didnt say it...it is possible to be following reds shallower than the tm can run...it will just kick up mud in less than a foot...thats kind of where i was going with the comment about spooking the reds in a pond....kicking mud and hitting grass, that ole minn-kota is no longer the quiet power that catches fish...lol...i will post the drawings i have for the trim tabs tom...i sold the boat they were on, and since, the new owner has had friends of his call me to find out where i got them...i just tell them they are homemade...and they were....but i have alum welding machine and all at my disposal...the smart tabs are a very good option....i have no personal exp with them, but know people that do...

[Jpatburke]

Is Aluminum tough to weld?
I have a small MIG setup and would love to fab some stuff for the boat.

[roob76]

Is Aluminum tough to weld?

kinda. mig welder is not really suited for welding aluminum. it might work though. but you really need a tig welder for aluminum. and you have to be carefull on the heat. too much and you will warp your aluminum. and ther are many different rods for the different grades of aluminum so if you want your weld top be as strong as the material you are welding you have to use the right rod.

not that i weld aluminum but a buddy of mine does. he makes custom turbo setups for Volkswagens and regularly welds stainless steel and aluminum pipping. he also made me a very nice rap around aluminum plate for the outboard on my bayboat.

[Poseidon's Rook]

mig welder is not really suited for welding aluminum

WHAT?

You must not have been to a few of the all aluminum shipyards here lately have you? At Austal, Mig is all we use in the complete construction of our ships...the only Tig done anywhere is done by pipe fitters with steel, copper, and bronze pipes.

As far as the warpage goes...you just have to watch your heat. Don't weld to much at a time and allow everything to cool before striking another arc. Also, where ever possible, try and use a strongback of some sort to keep any warp from taking place. But as long as you go slow and let things cool as you go, you shouldn't have any problems with Mig .

[roob76]

yup you are right. here is a read on welding that i found.

http://www.nomma.org/support/Welding%20 ... minum.html

[jacquesmm]

Please stay on topic. We go all over the place in this thread. It make it difficult to read and search.
I close this thread.
If you want to discuss Aluminum, start a new thread and keep it about our designs or products please.

[tech_support]

It seems everyone excitement over this little boat has ruffled some feathers:

We have been threatened with legal action from a boat manufacturer if we do not remove all of YOUR postings that even mention their product by name.

They wrote:

“If you feel the need to single our company out regarding this matter, you can tell your message board users that you have never received and will not receive the permission _____ to use any of ______’s materials and that they should refrain from referencing our company and/or any of its products by name. Please rectify this situation by no later than forty-eight hours from the time this email is sent.â€