Chaps For My Tubes?

zip · 10 June 2008, 03:02

One of my primary destinations is Catalina Island. Both Avalon and The Isthmus have dinghy docks that you can park a 14' or less boat.

The docks are very convenient, but your boat can get real beat up. People think nothing of ramming your boat to make room to dock their boat. You also have people walking across other people's boats to get to and from their boat.

The tubes are what get the most abuse.

Has anyone ever heard of chaps for tubes? If yes, are they a production item, or do i have to have them custom made?

Thanks

Zip

Stoo · 10 June 2008, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip

Has anyone ever heard of chaps for tubes?

I believe you can buy them at Brokeback Mountain!

There are a number of flat fenders available. Would those work if you hung a bunch of them around the boat. And leaving a Rotweiller in your boat wouldn't hurt either...

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...4&classNum=594

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...4&classNum=594

I feel your pain though. People in "real" boats don't seem to think twice about using our "dingys" as bumpers....

Apherel · 10 June 2008, 21:23

I've been wondering the same thing. Using hinged flat enders, but they arn't working particularly well - particularly against piles.

UK has better options:

http://www.compassmarine.co.uk/produ...?ProductID=394
or http://www.rib-shop.co.uk/

These look interesting but aren't available in Aus. You might be able to combine these with a light canvas cover to protect from shoes on the tubes
http://www.hullhugr.com/product.html

Looks like I'll need to rig up something myself.

codprawn · 11 June 2008, 12:06

You can either use flat foam as used in excercise mats etc or a sheet of polypropylene - polyprop is indestructible and can be sawn to size with a jigsaw and curved to the right shape using a gas fire or heat gun. Make sure you smooth the edges off with sandpaper first.

Trickdog · 11 June 2008, 12:46

I have not tried this but... I expect that you could make something similar to the flat fenders in Apherel's post out of cheap 'plastic' type food prep/chopping boards from your local Wal Mart. Drill some holes for the ropes and heat them to bend them into shape

Apherel · 11 June 2008, 13:22

Codders, I had no idea how much this material is used commercially - what thickness would you recommend and what sort of place supplies it?

MtStPipier · 11 June 2008, 14:08

I like the polypro idea. I bought the HullHugr but they were not durable enough. Outer fabric was wearing through in about a week. Maybe ok for occasional use, but not for everyday use.

jyasaki · 11 June 2008, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apherel

Codders, I had no idea how much this material is used commercially - what thickness would you recommend and what sort of place supplies it?

If you're talking about the white plastic cutting boards, they're made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) and should be available at any plastics shop. Stuff gets used quite a bit (plastic grocery bags, among a hell of a lot of other stuff, are usually HDPE.)

jky

codprawn · 11 June 2008, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apherel

Codders, I had no idea how much this material is used commercially - what thickness would you recommend and what sort of place supplies it?

I think we used to use stuff about 3 or 5 mm thick - 1/8 and a 1/4 " - stuff comes in 8x4 sheets - most plastic suppliers should have it in stock.

Nothing will stick to it and it is very hard wearing.

Apherel · 25 August 2008, 11:06

An update on this thread.

I've not been able to find HDPE sheets at a reasonable price, so ended up trying Ikea chopping boards.

The blue ones are around 2 mm thick and are too thin to hold any shape - not recommended. The red ones are 6mm, and do hold shape after heating. My heat gun packed it in so these were shaped in front of a heater - I'd recommend a bit more curve. They are held together with cable ties and I'll fit better straps or clips to hang off the safety rope.

Not the most elegant, but they do seem to work and kept a lot of crap off the tubes.

jyasaki · 25 August 2008, 18:16

US Plastics has pretty fair prices and a good selection. 3/16" x 2' x 4' is, I think, a bit over $20.

Do a web search for HDPE sheet and you should come up with someplace acceptable.

jky

Apherel · 25 August 2008, 20:45

Thanks, I'll try again, now that I'm clear what is needed. The hast estimate was around $240 per metre squared for 10mm board - that was tooo much!

ian parkes · 25 August 2008, 21:02

I saw a boat using those door mats made from astroturf hung over the side , looked like a good cheap idea to me as the stuff has some shock absobing properties as well as alowing things to slide off

Apherel · 25 August 2008, 23:02

Now that's an idea. If I got enough, it could double as camouflage and maybe the wife will stop complaining about the RIB on the front lawn!

Hightower · 25 August 2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apherel

Now that's an idea. If I got enough, it could double as camouflage and maybe the wife will stop complaining about the RIB on the front lawn!

Just don't let her do the mowing

jyasaki · 26 August 2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian parkes

I saw a boat using those door mats made from astroturf hung over the side , looked like a good cheap idea to me as the stuff has some shock absobing properties as well as alowing things to slide off

Plus, you can wipe your feet before getting on board.

jky