AIRE COUGAR 18' - full setup - SOLD

Jeffster said:

Hi,

I'm very interested in your setup. Is it still available? And would you consider trading for a 16' Aire raft in superb condition with a great frame?
Thanks,
Boulder CO

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missesess said:

Hi Bob,
I used 10'x4' x 5/8" marine ply. Not too spendy to order that in. I cut it down the middle then shortened it down to about 9' 2" but wished i'd just let it overhang the frame each end 6" and left it full length.
My buddy was making some decking at the time also and was super impressed with the method he used to make the strap holes then round them off.......... He used one of the Harbor Freight 'Multi Step' drill bits (the biggest one they do) and drilled through all the way. Then used a router with a curved bit - the one with the ball bearing in the end to limit the cut. (Ryobi made a set of 4 at reasonable price)
Finally, a gallon of fiberglass resin (auto shop). a bunch of short nap rollers (cut in half width ways). Creates a 'bobbled' finish which is non slip and super durable.
NOTE: if you go this route, don't mix too much resin at once! If it's warmish, it goes 'off' really quick. (hence several rollers - they're NOT reusable)
I used 4 x NRS 'U' clamps each side (8 total - 2 front, 2 back). They sell one with a longer thread which unfortunately is a little short for the 5/8" ply (good for ~1/2"). So I recessed the ply at the clamp hole positions and used large diameter 'Fender' washers to spread the load. Also recesses the 'Nylock' nuts provided a bit also!

Another point of note. I've got the NRS frame. The inboard straps from tubes to frame were problematic, but now they can strap straight to the boards. Much better than when I got the setup as they had to try find a cross tube which typically were not in a convenient position.

I could send a pic of the setup without all the clutter so you could get a good idea what I did for reference ???
Hope it's not too much of a ramble .................

Click to expand...

missesess said:

Hi Bob,
I used 10'x4' x 5/8" marine ply. Not too spendy to order that in. I cut it down the middle then shortened it down to about 9' 2" but wished i'd just let it overhang the frame each end 6" and left it full length.
My buddy was making some decking at the time also and was super impressed with the method he used to make the strap holes then round them off.......... He used one of the Harbor Freight 'Multi Step' drill bits (the biggest one they do) and drilled through all the way. Then used a router with a curved bit - the one with the ball bearing in the end to limit the cut. (Ryobi made a set of 4 at reasonable price)
Finally, a gallon of fiberglass resin (auto shop). a bunch of short nap rollers (cut in half width ways). Creates a 'bobbled' finish which is non slip and super durable.
NOTE: if you go this route, don't mix too much resin at once! If it's warmish, it goes 'off' really quick. (hence several rollers - they're NOT reusable)
I used 4 x NRS 'U' clamps each side (8 total - 2 front, 2 back). They sell one with a longer thread which unfortunately is a little short for the 5/8" ply (good for ~1/2"). So I recessed the ply at the clamp hole positions and used large diameter 'Fender' washers to spread the load. Also recesses the 'Nylock' nuts provided a bit also!

Another point of note. I've got the NRS frame. The inboard straps from tubes to frame were problematic, but now they can strap straight to the boards. Much better than when I got the setup as they had to try find a cross tube which typically were not in a convenient position.

I could send a pic of the setup without all the clutter so you could get a good idea what I did for reference ???
Hope it's not too much of a ramble .................

Click to expand...

DenverTookMyWater said:

I would love to get some more pictures of this rig. Looks pretty in-line with what I'm wanting to do with my quadcat. Was planning on replacing the boards I bought it with this winter with
something more personalized to my set-up.

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