STIFFENER TUBES and SLEEVES
Each Full-Lotus float design requires a number of "stiffener tubes" and "stiffener tube sleeves" along the top of the floats to give rigidity to the inflatable float shell (body). These stiffener tubes (and sleeves) vary in number and in length, depending on the size of the float and are not included in the basic price of the floats. The stiffener tubes are held to the floats by "pockets" which are sewn to the float shell during the float manufacturing process. Stiffener tube sleeves (inserts) are secured inside the stiffener tubes at key locations and act as doublers (reinforcement) in high-stress areas. The float "Spreader Bars" will be attached to the stiffener tubes (where sleeves are located).
STIFFENER TUBES:
Stiffener tubes are all 2" in diameter with a wall thickness of .058". They should ALL be made of seamless 6061-T6 aluminum. The stiffener tubes are sold separately from the floats as they are quite long (up to 12 ft), making them quite costly to ship; they are also generally readily available from most local metal suppliers so most Full-Lotus float customers purchase their stiffener tubes locally. Call your nearest metal supply warehouse for prices and availability.
If necessary, you can order full lengths (12 ft.) of stiffener tubes from Aircraft Floats Manufacturing, Inc. Our price is $17.50 per foot + packing + shipping. Note: We can cut Stiffener Tubes for shipping purposes; customers will then need to re-join these tubes with sleeves as per instructions in the Operations Manual.
For exact dimensions and installation set-up, please review the following documents:
STIFFENER TUBES:
Stiffener tubes are all 2" in diameter with a wall thickness of .058". They should ALL be made of seamless 6061-T6 aluminum. The stiffener tubes are sold separately from the floats as they are quite long (up to 12 ft), making them quite costly to ship; they are also generally readily available from most local metal suppliers so most Full-Lotus float customers purchase their stiffener tubes locally. Call your nearest metal supply warehouse for prices and availability.
If necessary, you can order full lengths (12 ft.) of stiffener tubes from Aircraft Floats Manufacturing, Inc. Our price is $17.50 per foot + packing + shipping. Note: We can cut Stiffener Tubes for shipping purposes; customers will then need to re-join these tubes with sleeves as per instructions in the Operations Manual.
For exact dimensions and installation set-up, please review the following documents:
STIFFENER TUBE SLEEVES:
As indicated on the various Stiffener Tube diagrams (see above), Stiffener Tube Sleeves are inserted inside the Stiffener Tubes in high-load areas and/or wherever two sections of Stiffener Tube may be joined. Typical "high-stress" areas include attachment points for the spreader bars. These sleeves are NOT supplied with the floats or with our standard rigging kits; they need to be purchased separately, just like the Stiffener Tubes.
Stiffener Tube Sleeves are made of seamless 6061-T6 aluminum and are 1 7/8" in diameter, with a wall thickness of .058". Sleeve lengths vary depending on their location: Follow the instructions provided for proper installation.
Aircraft Floats Mfg. stocks tubing for Stiffener Tube Sleeves. It is sold by the foot (with customers making final cuts to exact desired lengths). Our price for Sleeve tubing is $12.45 per foot + packing + shipping.
Note: Prices are in US Dollars, Ex Works Midland, Ontario CANADA. Crating, Shipping & Handling are extra. Prices subject to changes without notice. For additional pricing information, click HERE. For more details on Stiffener Tubes and Sleeves, contact Full-Lotus or your nearest Full-Lotus distributor.