Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject: Edencraft factory tour
Took a drive out to Geelong/Newtown to meet up with Alan Ball, current owner of Edencraft. Primary purpose for the visit was to deliver 2 x X-Winch Large, one for a Formula 233 which will soon head up to Far North Queensland and operate as a commercial dive boat, the other for Alan's new 6m demo boat.
The 6m demo boat is all white (my favorite color) and will be fitted up with all the good gear hence the decision to install and X-Winch Large (thank you Alan ). It will be powered by a pair of 140hp Suzuki's. During the visit, 2 of the boys were marking up a new carbon fiber wave breaker for the forward windows (the other 2 were laminating the above-mentioned 233). On the wave breakers, Alan uses a clear gel coat and a broad weave carbon fiber cloth resulting in an absolutely spectacular finish.
Alan was happy to continue showing me around, chat about the significant improvements he has made to the product since taking over, and his vision for Edencraft moving forward.
It became evident Edencraft was finally in good hands. The 6m and 233 molds have been completely re-tooled and the finish is absolutely fantastic. His new laminate schedule includes a layer of carbon fiber which adds a whole lot more strength (more about that later) without compromising weight, and the attention to detail in equipment selection and fit up is as good if not better than many of the big brand companies.
The factory itself is not huge by any stretch of the imagination, but it is very well set up with 'sections' allocated to specific functions.
The laminating room is temperature and humidity controlled environment and comprises dust and fume extraction. This provides consistency in the product being produced as well as a pleasant working environment for the laminators. It also means Edencraft can build all year round.
To the side of that, there is an area where the hull and deck sections are bonded, and off to the side of that is the area where the boats are fitted up and made ready for collection.
All the molds are stored in doors and out of the weather and when not is use are stacked above the workshop area to minimise any possibility of damage.
There is also a fabrication area and store stocked with deck hardware and accessories.
Other interesting experiences included putting an approx 30cm x 30cm x 6mm piece of Alans new laminate in to a 6 inch dawn vice and attempting to break it by swinging (base ball style) a smallish sledge hammer at it (we failed miserably), watching a video of the original Haines Hunter 233 molds being destroyed by heavy machinery (must say watching that made I was gob smacked and felt sick in the guts) and seeing some cad/solid works drawings of things Alan has in the pipeline.
Sorry about the lack of pics. Didn't have my camera and am not even sure if Alan would have allowed it.
Anyway, overall it was an informative and enjoyable experience and I look forward to catching up with Alan and his crew again in the near future. Thanks again Alan for taking the time to show me around.
Next time, we might even water test a few _________________
No one better than Spiro for a fair, thorough and unbiased assessment of boats and boatbuilding whether it's a HH, Formula, Edencraft etc.... truly a lover of boats!
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:36 pm Post subject: Re:
devilfromtas wrote:
You are unreal Spiro,
Did you work for the Greek CIA in another life
He was a sgt in the Greek Highway Donkey Patrol
Rode a suped up donkey
overhead lifters, and four barrel quads one 4 each hoof
Fuel injection cut off, and chrome plated saddle
He was known as Greeced Lightning
Oh yeah & the donkey's tail was a winch _________________ **************************
Save The Fish, Eat a Pussy Cat
i stole a couple of pics out of the greek embassy
this is alans new boat 6m full carbon ,being rigged with twin 140hp suzukis.
and the new carbon wave breakers.
i think i need one of these on my 233
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 7:47 pm Post subject: al pal
good on ya gg
Alan is a top bloke and the right man to make these boats better than ever , switched on and bloody helpful. his working knowledge of composites is up to date and in the lead.
geeze he loves boats
regs carpy _________________ If God wanted you to know everything , he would have made you a boat repairer.
Thanks for the comments guys, even yours JayyyyGee.
I think Mick hit the nail on the head. I love talking boats with people that share the same passion. Guys like Mark at Cootacraft, Alan ay Edencraft, Rob at Formula Power Boats and of course John at Haines Hunter are so passionate about their product, their brand the history and the future of the Australian boat building industry, its just awesome to be able to spend time and share ideas with them. They really are a great bunch of guys, every single one of them. _________________
Man, I can't get over how far that boat has progressed since I saw it a couple of days ago. There's no slouches there, that's for sure.
Dave, you gotta trust me on this. That photo of the wavebreaker doesn't come within a poofteenth of doing it justice. When you see it in the flesh, it's like looking in to one of those infinity mirrors. The weave looks like it's 20-25mm behind the clear gel coat, it is just unreal to look at _________________
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). It will be powered by a pair of 140hp Suzuki's. During the visit, 2 of the boys were marking up a new carbon fiber wave breaker for the forward windows (the other 2 were laminating the above-mentioned 233). On the wave breakers, Alan uses a clear gel coat and a broad weave carbon fiber cloth resulting in an absolutely spectacular finish.
