Floats and ventral fins

[N96337]

Re: Floats and ventral fins

We always filled 'em.... just make sure they're supported a little and don't try to move them until they've been drained. Done it with everything from 1320's to 7100's and never had any problems.
JH

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Floats and ventral fins

Just looking at them I would think you could put 3,000 to 4,000# in one pretty easy! Do you just fill them to the normal water line or a little above? I don't know how you COULD move them if they were full. I also don't see any reason to fill them all the way up unless you plan to build a submarine out of them. The part that is above the water line wouldn't be much of a leak problem anyway. The top of a row boat doesn't need to be completely water tight. ;-)
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Floats and ventral fins

The part that is above the water line wouldn't be much of a leak problem anyway. The top of a row boat doesn't need to be completely water tight. ;-)
Hank

No but I have seen the Captain of that boat a bit too tight!

[N96337]

Re: Floats and ventral fins

Hank, usually we just go a little above the water line, like you say, unless they have a bunch of dock rash that we want to check out. It is quite prudent to fill the aft ends on the bigger floats as they aren't that uncommon to have underwater on a heavy load and rough water. Normally, we have some sort of beaching gear on them or have them on a dolly with the spreader bars in place...so not moving them half full is a safety thing. I have seen a set of 4580's that someone forgot the hose on and they were totally full and overflowing...didn't seem to be any problem in the end, but the mechanic's helper was sure red faced!

[astjp2]

Re: Floats and ventral fins

balloon for pressure, then soapy water....Tim