DIY MOB Pole

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Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Awhile back we had a thread on MOB situations and a MOB pole was mentioned as a useful device to locate and return to MOB if deployed quickly..

There were some $700 inflateable options mentioned but not much else on how and where to procure a standard pole...

I mentioned I was going to try to build one and someone asked to see the finished product, so here it is...



Made it out of a 6' fiberglass rod ($3 Hdwr store) and a "Nerf like" foam football for flotation ($2 at dollar store) a chunk of lead for ballast (about a lb/free) and a chunk of vinyl flag for visibilty ($1 dollar store) so for about $6 I have a lightweight MOB pole.

Plan is to store on boat rail and deploy with Life Ring with about a 6' rope tied to pole to keep them together, so MOB can locate ring and Boat can locate MOB...
 
Lake Superior Sailor

Lake Superior Sailor

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Dec 20, 2011
101
Cal 28 Eagle River
Have you water tested it as I think the football takes on water like a sponge?..Looks good though.. You might think about useing a water noodle instead..Dale
 
PaulK

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,522
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Looks like it has all the necessary parts. The question is whether it will float straight up (or thereabouts) in 30 knots of wind when you'd need it to. You may want to add more flotation and more ballast to make that happen.
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Not alot of open water here this time of year, but I do know a pier with an aerator so Ill get some water shots tomorrow...I remember the footballs floating pretty good when we played in the lake, but will see how that works in the morn...

I left the lead a little big so I can trim it down, and get balanced floatation if neccessary...

Not much is going to stand upright in 30 knot winds, including that $700 inflateable, but it's better than nothing...and if I was in the water with that pole I'm betting I would be picking it up and waveing it for all it worth...
 
Manureva

Manureva

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Jan 14, 2011
243
tanzer tanzer 28 bathurst nb
i have seen mob pole new for around 150$ ,i believe they where made by plastimo
 
A

alexco38

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Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
It's around $150-$170 retail. BTW the flag is yellow/red (letter "O" I believe). It should also self unfurl because you can't fly a yellow/red unless there is a MOB condition.

The pole has to be weighted quite a bit to stay upright in excessive wind condition to be effective. That's why the commercial unit has a large float and a heavy leaded ballast.
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,948
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
That is very cool. Even if the football takes on water, it is a good start and an easy modification if you need to change to another float. Thanks for sharing.

I have a book called 100 Fast and Easy Boat Improvements

http://www.amazon.com/100-Fast-Easy-Boat-Improvements/dp/0071440550

and in that book they attached the MOB pole to the back stay using two sunbrella "socks".

I can honestly say I have used several of the ideas I got from that book. If you don't have a copy, you can get one used for under $7.

Thanks again for the pic. Inspiring.
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Thanks for the kind words...

First a disclaimer..."This in NOT a IYRU and Transpac YC approved device, but never was intended for Ocean Racing type conditions...Doubt it would be of much use in 10'-15' waves and 30-40 knot winds...and has no strobe or EPIRB attached"...

I built it as a safety /locating device for daysailing and weekend crusing the Great Lakes It's a 26' boat so much over 4'-6' waves the wife will have me heading for shelter anyway...

Seems to float well, a little high actually, so I'm going to add another lb of lead to help stability..."football" was in the water for a good 10 minutes and showed NO signs of water ingress, but I'll be putting a coat of clear sealer over it for added protection...



Football was attached to pole and ends sealed with 4200 adhesive/sealant, and then rubber gromets were slipped on and secured with small section of heat shrink tube...shouldn't slide up the pole...



Again not "IYRU and Transpac YC approved" but adaquate for the conditions it will be exposed to...Looking at the approved versions, they are 10'-14' long..!! (that's where they get the stability) http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|303330|320542&id=103115 But on a 26' boat may be a bit of overkill for storage and deployment...

Thanks for looking...
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I got a MOB pole from somewhere. The float part was exposed styrofoam of some type. I bought a can of spray plastic (or rubber?) and gave the foam several coats.
 
DannyS

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
Nice work! I love well thought out, home made solutions to problems. Something is better than nothing. Maybe think about adding some reflective tape for nighttime MOB situations.
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Just below the flag is a white reflective tape (see top picture)...

Pole was made to mark out driveway edges for snowplowing/locating...
 
M

MJWarner

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Jun 19, 2010
86
Morgan classic 41 South Daytona Beach, Fl.
Great Project! I'm going to make one for my boat, been looking at the ones for sale and they are too rich for my blood. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing with us.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Clever project. You'll have to watch out for UV... It will eat that football up in one summer. Maybe the other stuff too.
 
DannyS

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
Jackdaw said:
Clever project. You'll have to watch out for UV... It will eat that football up in one summer. Maybe the other stuff too.
Click to expand
True about the UV. You could sew up a Sunbrella cover for the football or you could just replace it when it looks a little ragged. You could replace it every year for that matter. $2.00 x 50 years is still less than 2/3 the price of the cheapest MOB pole out there!
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,948
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
DannyS said:
You could replace it every year for that matter. $2.00 x 50 years is still less than 2/3 the price of the cheapest MOB pole out there!
Click to expand

I like your cost analysis.... :D

I would think a quick dash with some of that hot orange spray paint would also protect the football from both UV and water intrusion. A quick touch up with the paint each season would not take any time at all.
 
DannyS

DannyS

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May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
Just slap some varnish on it. That can be part of the yearly "touch up".
 
Squidd

Squidd

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Sep 26, 2011
890
AMF Alcort Paceship PY26 Washburn Wi. Apostle Islands
Actually the ZAR exterior clear poly sealer I plan on using has excellent UV protection..and won't affect the foam when I apply it...
 
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