How to salvage an Ole South African Buddy

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Hello Ladies and Gents, I have been using a Rob Allen torpedo float for 9 years now and the thing is bomb proof..

with the exemption of the silly black straps attached forever to the core of the float in a marriage made in Heaven .. that after a few years like all marriages went to hell (and back) <img src= " height="23" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x">

Problem is: The Float is still perfect after years and years of being whashed over reefs , lazily dragged onto rocky beaches and tossed a thousand times as a sack of peaches (shit that rime was lame indeed)
but the straps have already rotten as a couple of forgotten lobsters in a summer day..

Solution #1 ditch the dang thing and buy another better designed float as the R.A. new overblown.. Or

Solution #2 (A.K.A. cheap bastard solution)

keep in touch as I download a few images and give in the meanwhilw some explanations ..

Dan · Dec 11th 2015

I'm curious to see what you did, I had the same problem and couldn't think of a fix.

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Things you´re going to need: (not necessarily in this order)

1.- An ole rotten strapped Rob Allen torpedo Float

2.- A 1/2 inch drill bit ( I sent mine to be drilled in a workshop, but you may DYS)

3.- Some mexican beer (compulsory item)

4.- A sharp knife

5.- Spectra, Parachute cord, Poly rope or your choice of towing string.

6.- A Chihuahua dog to keep you company (not really)

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

First thing first cut the old straps with a sharp knife and drill a hole close to the tip of the float.

Next put through some towing string and you´ll be set

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Trim and burn a bit with a zippo lighter, (if it´s not a zippo it won´t work)

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

And finally, toss the dang thing to the garbage can where it belongs and get a new overblown float ..

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

The foam inside the core is so thick that I don´t think It will take much water. In that case you should fill the hole back with epoxy and prpbably a net could be sewn custom made to wrap the damn float as old cristal mexican buoys.. like this one I have:

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

I have gone both ways and I got a new R.A. Overblown that is even better than the old and venerable torpedo float.

Dan · Dec 11th 2015

<img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> Good thread

The Rob Allen 12L overblown float is available from spearfishing.store.

Chihuahua is available from Toño

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Hahahaha

Dan · Dec 11th 2015

BTW how tough are those glass buoys? I'm sure they gets dropped enough.. though the netting provides cushioning.

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Hahaha, free shipment is available, it comes with a tequila gallon <img src= " height="23" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x">

monster slayer · Dec 11th 2015

Mine is very old . I think those are now obsolete, They are actually tough cause the glass is thick

Dude george · Dec 12th 2015

hahahhahahhahhaahah that was some funny shit!! <img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin">

monster slayer · Dec 12th 2015

Hahaha, I was thinking that probably passing some sort of tubing through the hole And then stick it in with epoxy and a replaceable cord could be fitted there.

What do you think?

Sadot · Dec 14th 2015

Quote from monster slayer

Hahaha, I was thinking that probably passing some sort of tubing through the hole And then stick it in with epoxy and a replaceable cord could be fitted there.

What do you think?

así te puede durar un rato más, probado por un compi mio, hasta que la perdio

<img src= " class="smiley" srcset="https://spearfishing.world/forum/images/smilies/emojione/1f606@2x.png 2x" height="23" width="23" loading="eager" data-tooltip="biggrin" aria-label="biggrin"> buen post mr A.

Don Paul · Dec 14th 2015

Quote from monster slayer

Hahaha, I was thinking that probably passing some sort of tubing through the hole And then stick it in with epoxy and a replaceable cord could be fitted there.

What do you think?

If you have a plumbers flair kit you could flair some copper tubing on one end, then get some G-flex from a local boat store to bond/seal it into the hole. After it sets up for a day trim off the tube 1/4 inch from the other side and flair the remaining end with 2 ball peen hammers, one to act as the flair die and the other to tap with.
Seal that end and your good to go with your line bridle.

Spd · Dec 14th 2015

I thought the beauty of those floats is that the nylon strap is continuous thru the entire length of the float so that all the strain is on the strap itself. By cross drilling and threading a rope, the strain is transferred to the foam and polyethylene shell. That rope will saw thru the foam in a short amount of time.

A possibly better solution would be to cut the float back and carefully expose more of the strap, then sew an extension nylon strap for the tuna clip. The float would need to be reshaped into a torpedo after cutting and the exposed foam would need to be protected with uv stable epoxy or urethane.

That presumes that the strap is continuous thru the length of the float...

Don Paul · Dec 14th 2015

[QUOTE=Spd
That presumes that the strap is continuous thru the length of the float...[/QUOTE]

I think with the hole may have already hit the strap, he can still daisy chain the next float (if needed) from the bridle.

Cheers, Don

monster slayer · Dec 15th 2015

Thanks Don that procedure makes total sense , I will keep that float as a loaner or a BW back up float. Right now the RAOverblown has served me well. Thank you very much

How to salvage an Ole South African Buddy

Create an account or sign in to comment

Share