Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations The Pond Barge Saga

Dock and circulator are about ready.



Ready to load on the trailer for launch tomorrow.



This is a closeup of the Durabak coating.

I have a minor concern but I'm not sure if even applies or if it really matters:

If butting more plywood along the already installed plywood over the exposed frame on the left, skewed side, you will likely get flexing between the two seems. Generally, when using plywood roof sheathing, H-clips are intalled between rafters to reduce the flexing between seams or on floor decks tongue and groove decking is used. Sometimes blocking is installed between floor joists where seams meet too. My primary concern is that over time the plywood will expand slightly as it absorbs moisure and when you walk on it the friction at the seam will cause the plywood to splinter there. My concern may be unjustified because the polyurethane liner in my truck is still like new...after 135,000 miles...tough stuff!

Ready to load the ramp for the trip to the pond with the circulator along for the ride.



All loaded and ready to go.



Ramp installed with the circulator running.



Water temp at the surface is 38 degrees on a 56 degree day

The water depth at the end of the ramp is 50 inches.

The water depth below the circulator is 74 inches.

Pond water level is low for this time of the year.

Dwight did I miss the reason half the dock is not covered ? Looks good just wondering.

I'm confused. What is a circulator and what does it do?

I also don't understand what the purpose of the triangle exposed area is for? Is it bracing? If so, why brace it on the outside instead of on the inside where it would add to the integrity of your plywood decking?

It's hard to tell, but what is the span of your plywood decking over it's mounting points?

This has been allot of fun to follow.

Eddie

Ewest, The part that isn't covered is just bracing. When the barge is connected on the end of the ramp there could be alot of wind/wave pressure against the ramp/barge combination. I wanted an eight foot base rather to four feet to handle the pressure.

I could have covered it, but that would have meant more joists to install and more plywood. A 4 foot wide ramp is wide emough for me.

Eddie,

The circulator prevents ice from forming in the area. It is on an automatic temperature/timer switch. It is set to run when the air temperature is below 25 degrees and only during the night. If there are -20 temperatures for an extended period, then I may set it to run during the daytime as well. Circulators are also used to prevent stratification and for aeration, as well.

There are quite a few discussions about circulators on the Forum. If you do a search for “circulator” you can learn all about them.

You may refer to my last response to ewest to explain my thinking on the diagonal bracing.

The marine plywood is attached to cross members that are 16 inches on center. They are attached with metal to wood adhesive and a bunch of wood to metal self drilling screws.

Dwight,

Thanks, I understand it now. You've gone way beyond my knowledge or understanding of docks, so it's really nice to hear your explinations. The pictures really help too!!!!

Eddie

I see some more problems:

The large open brace compartment is not properly insulated to maintain optimum cooling for your Coronas and the table/cutting board/ fish cleaning station that should be fitted above the middle open section may have difficulty staying level enough to keep precious fluids from spilling from your blender during heavy wave action. However the small compartment does appear to be accurately designed to provide sufficient storage for the proper lime to Corona ratio of 1:6.

When I ask the question I thought for sure Dwight was going to say one was for the built-in cooler , one with a net to hold bait or live fish and one for electronic gear.

OK boys, At least you are thinking right!

Try to remember that this is just the ramp to get to the Barge where all the good stuff is going.

I have been a little disappointed that Sunil didn’t ask about that drain plug.

Did I mention that I have a design in mind for a combination Barge pup and ice fishing cabin?

Dwight, I saw the drain plut and did wonder why you highlighted it. But then again, I don't have the whole picture of what this beast is all about.

Is a drain plut east-speak for drain plug?

This is the barge frame (bottom side up) hermetically sealed with smooth Durabak.



This is the approximate location of the floatation units.



I had originally intended to have 3200 pounds of buoyancy (8 floats). Then Gail asked, “what if it doesn’t float? “ Ok then 4800 pounds of buoyancy (12 floats) are good.

You've never heard of a "plut?"

Where have you been all your life???

I was thinking about the ice-hut, but didn't post figuring all these Southerner's wouldn't be able to understand the concept of ice fishing and therefore the need for such a structure. The Southerners think ice fishing is reaching into a cooler for a cold one.

"The Southerners think ice fishin is reaching into a cooler for a cold one."

Ah yes. This is further bolstered by the fact that, when ice fishing, you don't need a cooler. You can just leave your beers sitting out.

We keep our beer in coolers up here in Minnesota so it doesn't freeze solid. Beer just isn’t the same if it freezes and you thaw it on the exhaust manifold of your vehicle. That activity makes the beer taste like plut!

The floats are mounted to the Barge bottom using 120 of these screw/washer/sealant units of my own design.


I made a pair of very low speed Barge transfer devices out of some 4X4s bolted to four of my (vehicles with tires) dollies.


Tomorrow the Barge will be lifted and flipped over onto the transfer devices and moved to the heated shop for wiring, decking, and etc…..


Plut plut plut.......

As promised yesterday:

I moved the Barge back to the shop where it will remain until it is complete and ready for launching in the spring.

We will of course need progress reports on each step - and there will be several prior to completion and launch/christening. -

Worry not on the the progress reports.

I just wish I could make the reports so Sunil could understand them. Maybe in the end it will all become clear to him. We can hope!

Stick with short words of only one syllable, and LOTS of pictures.

Again, thanks for the updates and pics. It's allot of fun to follow your progress. I take it you plan on spending some time in the heated shop when it's cold out? It's gotten all the way down into the 30's here, and I'm not able to function in those extreme conditions. I really need a heated shop for those days when it gets below 50 outside!!!!

Eddie