The Astroliner

[Atomic77]

Yes Bruce... I'm guessing the edge trim allows the Filon to move around where needed. In my case and as far as I know the only one around, I won't have any edge trim at all. It will be a totally molded and trim free design. I was thinking the glue would act the same as edge moulding as far as holding it down. But there must be a difference in the way the glue holds the entire edge vs. the way the trim holds it in intervals with the screws. I'm really hoping that gluing it down takes care of it once and for all... if not, I think we're out of options.

[Gpike]

I don't know if you have seen the DogCrate build below, but here is what we used for adhesion between the wood and aluminum.

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6710 ... -tapes.pdf

Check the specification and intended uses. I think it may be perfect for your application.

[Atomic77]

Thank you Gpike... I'll definitely look into that!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Having recently joined tnttt, and starting to gather parts for my build I found this thread while researching filon for a roof material.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I am just north of you in Kendallville. I have found it for a good price and not too far away.
Did yours have a "good" and "bad" side? or were both sides the same? Reason I ask is what I found is 8' wide and has a brown stripe one one edge, The white portion measures about 5' 3" so it's right on the hairy edge of being wide enough to overlap the walls on my trailer. The opposite side is all white but I wonder if it is the same... So not only cosmetic but thinking if I glue it down It would make sense to put the smooth / shiny side up. Is it easy to tell the difference?

Oh and I envy you working on the Unlimiteds! I have been a boat racing fan for years. Wanted to build a Crackerbox almost as long as a Teardrop!

Good luck to you and your team, and keep us updated on your build!

[Atomic77]

Hoosier...
The Filon I used comes in 7 and 8 foot rolls. There is a good side that has a peel-off protective coating. Filon will make a gradual radius, but making a 90 degree to overlap the corners is out of the question. Not sure if I understood you correctly on that or not. I trimmed the overhang with a router. I got mine at Ickes RV in Montpelier In. It's the best quality and best price I could find and made in Elkhart In. All the big names in RV use this in their factories. They also supply the glue to glue it down. It's how they do it at the factory, I should have done it that way the first time. Here's the number 7657285668. We're racing in Madison Indiana next weekend then off to Seattle. If you're familiar with unlimiteds, you'll remember the Budweiser boats. All our stuff is championship Bud equipment. We bought the old team, lock stock and barrel...
Welcome to the forum.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Thanks for the reply, I didn't mean to bend 90 degrees, just the full width covering the top of the sides edge to edge. My trailer is just a couple inches over 5' in total width.
Heck yea I remember Miss Budwieser! Good luck in Mad-town!

[Atomic77]

I was thinking about it... and you might want to be sure of your measurements on your Filon. Reason being, if your tolerance side to side is as close as you say, there is a potential for issues. When you lay the piece down, there is no re-adjusting. So if your piece runs off a bit, even a tiny amount at the beginning, it will compound over the length. It would be better to have overhang, especially if your walls run slightly off plumb anywhere. That way you just run the router around the edge and trim it perfectly to fit. Worked pretty good on mine.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Excellent insight... Thanks!

[Atomic77]

Had a great weekend of racing... We won! Unfortunately no time to work on Astro, but off to the race shop now to make repairs!

[dales133]

Nice photos and Congrads to you and the crew I bet the skipper needed an undies change after that up on one hull action!
Just a little bit envious of your job mate (like most people)

[KCStudly]

Congratulations! Very cool.

[noseoil]

Looks like the boat's running well this year. I agree about the change of skivvies for your pilot on that turn, wouldn't want that job..... Looking forward to more reports on your build.

[Atomic77]

I truly wish I had something to report, but the build is on hold while I do my best to keep two boats together! The shot of the boat up on it's right sponson happened like this - The driver had just turned a 160 mph lap speed and was coming down the straightaway at about 210. He went into the corner hard at about 4G. He exited the apex of the turn at about 150 and hit a huge hole. The picture of him hanging on the sponson was actually the landing. Our computer data registered a 9G spike at that moment. We broke our front canard in that incident, but went on to win!. What a weekend.

[KCStudly]

Can you tell us more about your responsibilities on the team? What would your duties and tasks be for a typical event weekend/week? I can only assume that it runs the gambit from pit setup, to mechanical work/maintenance, to minor glass work and repairs, to moving the boat to and from the water, to maybe electrical work? All of the above, none of the above?

Do you specialize in any one area?

TIA

[daveesl77]

Simply stunning photos and what a beautiful piece of machinery! You are a lucky man being able to work with something so unique!

dave