OUTLAW EAGLE MANUFACTURING

The Watchman · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

Hello my bottom has been banged up a little and straightened up pretty good. problem is UHMW bottom 4ft wide length of boat is buckled outwards if you know what I mean. Thinking it might affect the performance of the boat(8 degree bottom radiused) i would like to replace the UHMW . It was bolted with hull tapped and nuts on inside. Will it be an impossible task to install new UHMW and hit the original bolt holes which are tapped 3/8" . Do I just get somebody to hold from bottom and drill pilot holes from inside then drill to right size? Thanks in advance

The Watchman · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

How about some help here guys?

jack · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 31

hey watchman
your idea sounds good to me . if you could get a few started to hold it , that would help to get the rest in the right place
I dont have that stuff on my boat , couldn't understand why anyone would want to drill so many holes in a boat ?
I have watched a few guys that did have it and they sure seem to have fun boating over gravel bars and logs intentionally ! Pretty cool actually , to each their own eh ?
http://www.reltekllc.com/adhesives-for-uhmw.htm
I found this too , check it out

The Watchman · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks I called to get info about bonding but the place was closed on the weekend. I'll post response from the company when I find out if it's doable . Probably would be combo of bonding and bolts.

rlnah2285 · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 12

For putting the uhmw back on....

You could reuse all the old bolt holes for putting the plastic back on but make sure to use a lot of sealant on the bolts. We use sikaflex to seal up the bolts as they pass through the teflon and hull. Also you will want to use rubber backed washers to make sure the bolts seal.

We have sikaflex and washers as well as the bolts to put the uhmw on at our shop. Just talk to bernie or gary in parts and they will help you out their best with it.

Hope this helps a little...

Also, another quick note. When you put the uhmw back on the boat, be sure to seal up around the pump area.. put a good bead of sika in between the teflon and bottom of the boat to seal up any gaps or air spaces around there. If you dont, you may end up having cavitation problems from sucking air in from between the plastic and hull, which isnt any good.

The Watchman · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

Just wondering if I should put some around the outside edge of the UHMW as it doesn't run the full width only about four feet across and not all the way to the bow about 3 ft short.

rlnah2285 · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 12

yes it would be a good idea to run a bead on the outside edges. It will help to seal up the gaps . Its also a cheap insurance way to make sure you have no air that could pass through and cause cavitation.

also another note...

when the plastic comes up to the pump be sure to bevel or sand off the edge at the front.... helps with water flow into the intake. Do you have a 240 sport jet in it?

The Watchman · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 10

I have a small block 350 and it sure is nice to have the power with the 8 degree bottom when the wind,and river current are pushing me into a logjam while going downriver. Looks like I have all the info the plastic could be cut with a jigsaw and straight edge or zipcut I guess.

rlnah2285 · Joined: 20 Mar 2009 Posts: 12

pretty much you can cut the plastic with anything.... best is a circular saw with a framing blade or something to that degree to make the shape:)
If you have any other hangups msg me and ill try my best to help you out.

Good luck on the project!