Chemi-Weld Fitting Method
Chemically welding a Collar to your boat is an even stronger fitting method. We use the same glue that high-rise buildings are now fixing large panels of glass in with, because it's stronger than bolts!
Above diagram: shows the aluminium box sections that are mig-welded or chemi-welded to the outside of the hull, for the Collar and all outside fixings to adhere to.
This means no holes are required through your hull, so internal access isn't required.
SUITABLE BOATS
Big fibreglass boats
Medium to big fibreglass boats, with flat or clinker sides. Clinkers must contain a consistent height.
Big pressed alloy boats
Larger pressed/clinker sided boats that can handle the weight of the extra large external fixings required.
Big plate alloy boats
Plate boats have the added option of mig-welding the box-sections to the hull (must be close to 3mm thick)
Small fibreglass tenders
TENDERS, fibreglass, under 4m with less than 15hp outboards - Collars can be glued on.
Not suitable for poly boats of any size.
SUITABLE HULL SHAPES
Pressed alloy boats
Flat plate boats
Flat fibreglass boats
UNSUITABLE HULL SHAPES
Flared sides or bow
Swept-up chine &/or dinted sides
Lugs, extrusions, spray rails, etc
Chemi-weld system is not suitable for poly boats of any size, as the glue does not adhere to the poly.
CHEMI-WELD STEPS
1. Clean surface area
The surface of the boat is cleaned & buffed to ensure max grab of the glue.
2. Adhesive or mig-weld
The adhesive is applied as several stripes to allow for quickest dry time.
3. Attach all box-sections
All boxes placed according to their locations within the marked Collar.
4. Fit Collar & Fixings
The Collar sits snug over the top of the box sections, and the fixings hold it.
5. Apply T-Rex underneath
A long glue line is applied underneath to ensure the Collar doesn't move.
6. Finished!
Allow a full week after glue line is applied before using boat for first time.
HOW LONG UNTIL I CAN USE MY BOAT?
Adhesive applied = 2 weeks minimum
When using the T-Rex Power glue, allow 1 week for box section glue to dry + a further 1 week for glue under Collar to dry before using boat.
Mig-welded method = 1 week minimum
When using the mig-weld system, it usually takes 1 day to fully fit the Collar. But allow 1 week for the glue line to dry before using your boat for first time.
SUPER STRONG FIXINGS
The fixings used are very strong and, due to their size, heavy. The extra weight is the biggest reason why a chemi-welded fitting may not be suitable for the average tinnie. As well as the extra costs (especially in labour) involved with this method.
Inside the 3mm box section, another 4mm thick alloy plate is welded to the inside of the outer shell, so the screws actually anchor into 7mm of plate in total, for max strength.
Behind each box section, hidden in the middle of the remaining foam Collar, is a 4mm thick internal plate to anchor the screw & prevent it 'riding' within the foam. This is done by us.
The heavy-duty aluminium flat bar and matching bow area plates are 6mm thick x 160mm high. So the majority of the Collar is covered with outside plates, which hold it tight.
IMPORTANT NOTE - for painted aluminium hulls; heat marks
Mig-welding the box-sections to a painted hull requires less paint to be sanded off on the outside where the welds are to be applied, compared to the each boxed area being sanded for glue application.
It is important to note that the heat from the welds often leave visible brown marks as the heat penetrates through the hull... and then the paint. The thinner the hull, the more likely heat marks will be produced & visible.
This is a cosmetic issue only and does not weaken your boat's hull strength, but may require some touch-up paint on the inside.
CONTACT/VISIT
Office: (07) 5441 3636
Mobile: 0423 499 047
58 Arundell Ave Nambour, QLD, Australia 4560.
info@boatcollar.com.au
BUSINESS DETAILS
Australian Patent # 2010201449. American Patent Application # 13/083,588 - Watercraft Accessory.
Marine Safety Innovations Pty Ltd.
ABN # 53 141 908 385
Australian owned & operated since 2010