pvc shroud covers

[kito]

I want to install some homemade pvc shroud covers on my c22. I am trying to figure what diameter and lengths I need for each of the 6 stays. I was thinking 4' on the front lowers, 3' on the uppers and 2' on the back lowers. Also, do you cap the tops or just leave them open?

 

[StanFM]

Kito,
Here's what our local C22 fleet captain recommends for our club:

"Shroud Rollers
A good idea to improve tacking is to install shroud rollers on the upper and forward shrouds. This can be done easily by installing a 1" diameter schedule 200 PVC pipe over the shrouds. 36" roller tube on the forward lowers and a 12-24" roller tube on the uppers."

I think mine are 4' on the forward lowers, and 3' on the uppers.

No caps. We don't bother with the rear lowers, as the jib sheets never seem to hang up on them.

Stan

 

[Ken Secor]

Sched 200? Or more like DWV weight...

 

[justsomeguy]

As light as possible.

 

[Nrmlspeed]

I used 3/4 PVC with caps drilled. Covered the PVC with Sunbrella fabric...easy and looks nice. Super cheap and brought some color to the deck. Covered the remaining wire with flex plastic tubing from Home Depot like you would expect to see feeding the H2o to a fridge. This was a cheap option and looks good IMO.

 

[StanFM]

I used 3/4 PVC with caps drilled. Covered the PVC with Sunbrella fabric...easy and looks nice. Super cheap and brought some color to the deck. Covered the remaining wire with flex plastic tubing from Home Depot like you would expect to see feeding the H2o to a fridge. This was a cheap option and looks good IMO.

Looks classy!

 

[kito]

That does look nice. I guess painting them blue would look nice for a while until they get all scratched up. Did you drill a hole in the caps and cut a slit for the wire? Also, just wondering if covering the whole wire with clear tubing would retain moisture.

 

[RDS2012]

Schedule 20 is what you'll find at most suppliers. Never heard of 200 but I learn something every day.

 

[philwsailz]

I used 3/4 PVC with caps drilled. Covered the PVC with Sunbrella fabric...easy and looks nice. Super cheap and brought some color to the deck. Covered the remaining wire with flex plastic tubing from Home Depot like you would expect to see feeding the H2o to a fridge. This was a cheap option and looks good IMO.

Does the flex plastic tubing fit so tightly to the shroud that air cannot get to the wire? After having peeled coated lifelines of their cover only to find the corrosion present inside I would be afraid of tightly covering my shrouds do to the potential for crevice corrosion.

 

[Ken Secor]

Standard weight PVC plumbing pipe/tube is called schedule 40.

The lighter gage stuff used on the tailpiece and trap parts of under sink type PVC is called DWV weight - by some - as 20 gage.

Gage determines wall thickness, not diameter. The wall thickness of various "weights" of PVC tubing are critical to rigidity - and their ability to withstand more or less pressure.

Given this application is purely a means to "dress up" rigging so as to minimize snagging sails and socks from clevis's, cotter pins and clips - light weight, is the preferred PVC type.

Not to say PEX "stick" (rigid as opposed to rolled/curved) aren't just as practical to use.

Given PEX "stick" tubing and PVC can be purchased in any i.d., both work well and price alone may be the deciding factor between the two?

 

[Ken]

I use the light weight @ Lowes a 20' piece will give 2-2', 2-3', 2-4' acetone wipes off the stamping. You can even get them to cut it for you at most stores.

 

[kito]

I picked up 10' 1" dwv at lunch. 2 3' and 2 2' sections should do it. Not going to worry about the aft lowers for now. Btw, the sch 200 mentioned earlier I believe what was meant is 200 psi....not schedule 200.

 

[Nrmlspeed]

The shroud covering/flex tube is not tight. It easily slides up and down. Very similar to the white plastic that West Marine sells but not nearly the cost. In my climate Im fearless about the rusting issue...your climate might be no bueno. I simply ran a razor down the side of the tubing and snapped them on.

 

[kito]

I installed mine last night. I painted the tubes a royal blue color with Krylon Fusion paint and kepted the caps white. Looks great. I figure I can always touch up the paint when it gets scratched up. I just have to figure a way to fill in the slot I cut in the caps now. The wire wants to work its way into those slots and keeps the tube from spinning straight......maybe drill a hole next to the center and drive a wood dowel into the cap to keep the wire in the center?