Boat tip of the day

[Terry Cox]

Both of our boats came with those long thin plastic sleeves that snap onto your shroud stays to help reduce jib sheet abrasion. Of course around here they gunk up with green stuff and grime. So, this racer gave me a tip the other day. I've made them and need to get to the boat to see how they work. Our boat has two sizes of turn-buckles. The inch and a quarter and inch and a half inside diameter white PVC pipe from Home Depot were large enough to slide over our two shroud stay turn-buckles. Using starboard cutting boards purchased from our local thrift store I cut washers to match the outside diameter of the pipe with holes drilled to slide over the turn-buckle bolts. The five foot long pipes will cover the shroud stays to protect our sheets from abrasion as well as allow rain water to flow through.His idea seemed to make good sense to me. I'll let you know how the trial turn out goes.Terry

 

[JC on Bainbridge]

What are starboard cutting boards?

Also, how did you cut a slit lengthwise on the PVC pipe? Or did you undo the turnbuckles and slid the cables thru the PVC, then redo the turnbuckles?

 

[Ellis Rogers]

Star Board

Star Board is a plastic that can be used like lumber, but will never rot. Only problem is that it cannot be glued, must be fastened with screws.

 

[Ken]

made a jig

I made a jig to hold mine, then used a circular saw with a thin blade to cut them. I also used the thin PVC. They have been in use for four years now, yeah they work great! Tip, I use a wrap or two of white Electrical tape on the top and bottom. I've found in heavy air they can be poped off.

 

[Vic]

Don't confuse standard cutting boards ...

with starboard ... I have cutting board pieces that I used as a substitute and they seem now to be cracking after a couple of years in Florida sun.Vic "Seven"

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi JC, I'm going to undo the turnbuckles...

but no big deal. If you hear a loud crash, however, please do not be alarmed. A hole saw did a fine job making the plastic disk for the PVC to rest on at the base of the turn-buckle.Vic, the white plastic cutting boards should work fine in the NW since it is always overcast and raining here. Terry

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Are you talking about turnbuckle covers ?

Terry, I believe I'm not understanding what you want to do. 5 feet long ? Turnbuckle covers in PVC do exists, and they also have a slotted end-cap to go on the upper part. I have used them for years. You must undo the turnbuckle to insert them. They come in various sizes. The 1.5 inch model is about 20 or 24 inches long. Cost about $5 or $6. Are you talking about something else ?

 

[Larry Wilson]

Starboard and glue

I was under the impression that starboard would accept pcv adhesive. Am I misinformed? Larry Wilson

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Claude, our 150 genoa extends past ...

our shroud stays by several feet. The genoa tends to rub against the stays when pinching. The five foot long PVC pipe should help to reduce genoa and genoa sheet abrasion by providing a softer surface. The PVC will both cover the turn-buckles as well as steel cables at least for the part of the genoa exposed to shroud stay contact.Terry

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Thanks Terry, it's clear now

They are 5' long turnbuckle covers. If using the 1.5 inch PVC, you could still use the cover made for the shorter tubes sold at various boat stores rather than go to the trouble of making your own. They sell for about $1.50 and they are already pre-drilled for the shroud and slotted so you do not have to remove the turnbuckle for installation.Here's an idea to prevent those tubes from rattling around because of windage when at dock (or anchor). Take a 6-inch piece of that foam spaghetti kids use when swimming, and slice it lenghtwise to about middle point. Install it on the shroud until shroud gets to middle point. Squeezing the foam towards the shroud, push it in the upper end of tube until it is completely in. Install your cover. Voila, no more of that annoying noise. Good luck. Happy Thanksgiving