Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations The Pond Barge Saga

When is the christening of the Bremer Barge ? What about a video ?

Why do I suspect the use of a bottle of Corona instead of champagne?

I can always appreciate some good collage work.

3 inch and many smaller holes bored

Bottom up view seat base mounting

Bottom up view cleat mounting


Stainless Steel

So Dwight, are there going to be six pedastal seats?

...allow yourself to drift back in time

Gasper Goo always did go better with Corona.

That was a good one, wasn't it? I believe I gufaw'd the loudest over "Just skin im and cook im, I'm hongry."

Yes sir, 6.

I finished up the deck installation including adhesive and screwing the deck to the frame, I also filled the joints and imperfections in the plywood with 3M Fast Cure Adhesive Sealant 4200. After it cures this stuff can be sanded and painted or coated.

The pedestal mounts and cleats are sitting in position and will be attached after the Durabak coating is applied.






Each corner of the barge has a drain port like this one and there is a 1/2" wide channel all the way around the deck perimeter for drainage

With all those black spots one wonders if you are going to call it The Dalmatian.

You guys in Minn sure like those 3M products.

ewest, The Durabak coating will cover the black sealer. If you think I should go the Dalmatian route I could get a pint of black Durabak and add the spots afterward.

That is a great idea and design. A mobile fishing dock, I would never have thought of that on my own.

Thanks for your positive comments miketay89!

According to eddie_walker:
I would add one word to that (good) because, thankfully, I trash a bunch of bad ideas.

It's not how many good ideas you have, but how many you make happen.

My hands are red, my eyes are bugged out, I can't see too clearly and the smell of xylene and Durabak permeate what's left of my brain.

Other then that, the barge deck has two coats of Durabak on it and the cleats and pedestal mounts are bolted in place.

what's the estimated weight so far?
Other than the oxcellent buzz dude, are you pleased with the way the Durabak applied and adheres? Is it a real thick, roll-on product? Does it contain larger particulate for tread safety?

Brettski, Total weight so far is 1449.6 pounds. Design maximum weight is 1800 pounds leaving 3000 pounds for people, gear and beer .

Durabak is tenacious sticking stuff with ground-up rubber particles in it for a non-slip surface. It is thick and a special stipple roller is needed to apply it. It is relatively easy to work with, other than xylene is required for clean-up, thinning, and etc.

I used smooth Durabak (no grounded-up rubber) for the frame. That is best applied with a brush or spray gun and is real easy to work with.

Boy, that Durabak stuff is sounding just like Herculiner . I used Herculiner in D-ski's PU truck bed and it was a similar experience. Same clean up: Xylene. Same rubber bits for tread. Same roller. It also has the UV resistance (I think?). For the truck bed, though, all the work is in preparation because the entire painted surface has be hand sanded to scuff the slick paint job. For a nice clean steel surface, I'll be it would be cake.
Are you familiar with Herculiner? I buy the stuff on sale by the gallon from Menards. I imagine that the Durabak is probably a higher level of durability and weather resistance.
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I believe it all comes from the same company, Cote-l Industries. They have coatings for specific purposes. They are all polyurethane with various additives and configurations.

Dwight,

Neat project. When we build our pond, I might have to look into that for the uniqueness it adds. I have one question, and no disrespect, but why are the side cleats so close together? You might have been able to get away with 3 cleats per side - 1 aft, 1 near the bow(?) and the middle spring cleat. The two aft/bow cleats could have been used for the extra 2 you have in the middle of the bow and the aft. Again, just curious for the reason, thats all. Thanks and can't wait to see the pics on its maiden voyage.

ceadmin, Thanks for your interest!

The cleats are positioned that way to match up with the ramp. The barge can be docked facing in any of the four directions. When I get to the actual docking mechanism (I haven't built that piece of the puzzle yet) it will all become clear. One more reason to stay tuned as the saga continues.

I am still waiting and wondering about the ramming device. Texas longhorns , Greek ram , ironclad spar , pickup bumper , Artic cutter ice ram , or an enlarged Branta canadensis beak ?

Since it's not a public lake, with other barges, there should be no need for a C.S.S. Hunley-style spar torpedo.

I assumed the ram was for protection from the wild neighbors --- you know they like to swim. Plus on shore they are a handful. --