RAFTS
TODAY’S RAFT TO ENSURE THE FUTURE
Formex® Rafts are floating nurseries used for cultivating mussels, oysters and other mollusk in the sea.
Our rafts are designed to respect the traditional geometry of rafts, maintaining the flexible behavior and weight that characterizes traditional rafts allowing for the use of existing types of floats.
Although traditional rafts made of eucalyptus wood have proven to perform very well al sea, Formex® rafts feature the following technological improvements that facilitate the work of the mussel farmers:
Improve navigation of the raft
Because they are produced in a industrial enviroment, all Formex® beams have the same geometric and strength properties, performing uniformly against ocean waves.
Quality assurance
The shortening of eucalyptus growth cycles to supply the raft market has made finding quality wood increasingly difficult. The industrial standarization of Formex® beams guarantees the uniformity and quality of our products.
Low maintenance
Formex® is highly resistant to seawater, freshwater and ultraviolet rays, so no protective paint is required.
Easy Cleaning
Formex® is a low-porosity material, so the moss that appears on the beams closest to sea level can be easily cleaned with pressurized water without becoming embedded in the beams.
Slip resistance ensuring safer operations.
The texture of Formex® beamns is designed to provide sufficient grip on all elements for safer fishing.
Durability
The design of the beam connections, using water-resistant materials heavily embedded in our Formex®, prevents looseness and premature deterioration. This unique design ensures the safety of the raft without the need for constant retightening, even after storms.
Our collaboration with the galician company Forjas del Salnés allows us to offer a comprehensive service including the manufacture of floats in GRP-coated steel , the assembly of the raft, and a maintenance service for retightening bolts after storms.
The experience gained by Prefabricados Formex in the manufacture and installation of more that 40 rafts in 2022 has allowed it to put 4 different types of rafts on the market that adapt to the needs of the mussel farmers, as well as a line of Formex® puntons that serve as an alternative to the traditional wooden punton.
Within each type of raft, different variants can be proposed, tailored to the needs of each mussel farmer, such as: number of spars, number of master beams, straight or staggered struts, the possibility of different types of mooring, etc.
PREFFOR RAFTS
MIXTA
RAFT
The Mixta raft was the first raft design launched by Prefabricados Formex. This type of raft is designed for the most adverse sea conditions in areas highly exposed to waves. They have been successfully installed on the most exposed plots of land in Grove, in the Arousa estuary, and at Punta de Limens, in the Vigo estuary, among their other highly exposed areas.
Weight: 52 Ton
Float diameter: 2,30 m
Float length: 4,25 - 4,50m
LIGHT
RAFT
The Light raft is an alternative to the Mixta raft in areas with less exposure to waves. This raft has a weight equivalent to that of the wooden raft, allowing the use of floats of the same size as those used in traditional rafts.
Weight: 47 Ton
Float diameter: 2,20 m
Float length: 4,00 - 4,50m
DELTA
RAFT
The Delta raft combines the masters, whips and mooring of the Mixta raft with the spars of the Light raft in those intermediate wave situations.
Weight: 52 Ton
Float diameter: 2,20 / 2,30 m
Float length: 4,30 - 4,50m/4,25 - 4,40m
MODULAR
RAFT
The modular raft offers a transportable container solution, generating individual modules measuring 11.50 x 13.20. These individual modules connect together, generating different types of geometries depending on the number of modules connected.
Modular Raft 2M: 13.20 X 23.00m
Modular Raft 3M: 13.20 X 33.45 m
Modular Raft 4M: 13.20 X 43.90 m
FORMEX
PUNTÓN
The Formex punton is recommended for inland freshwater areas where timber puntons rot, or for mussel farmers who opt for a complete Formex solution.
Los puntones tienen 8 cm de canto. Para facilitar la pisada, los puntones Formex tienen un ancho de 12 cm y textura en rombos antideslizante. Las 34 líneas de puntones tienen un peso total de 18 Toneladas, el doble que un juego de puntones de madera. Por ello, el puntón Formex® es especialmente interesante con las bateas de menor peso, la batea Delta y la batea Light.
