Dinghy rub rail ideas?

[Greene]

We love having our dinghy Squint (or as Bob23 refers to her Squint the famous racing dinghy) along when we are out sailing.  She allows us to get ashore on Lake Mendota which has very limited public dockage available.  Our problem is I haven't added any kind of rub rail to her and she is like a lonely dog at night.  She gently bumps up against the hull of Wrinkles whenever the wind switches or dies out.  I know I could carry an extra little mushroom anchor to throw out far enough to keep her away at night, but I'd also like to add some kind of rub rail to her.  I have looked into the various commercial rub rails available and was amazed at the cost.  I've seen twisted rope used and like the look, but it seems like that would be fairly abrasive.  The pipe insulation or swimming tubes would work, but they would look like a bit oversized on little ol' Squint.

Any do-it-yourself ideas out there?



Mike and B

[Shawn]

I would think pool noodles would be a low cost solution, maybe cut down just to cover a few sections of squirt.

Unrelated question.... what are you using for your boom awning/tent? I was thinking about rigging something like that for Serenity.

Thanks,

Shawn

[Billy]

what about a bicycle tire? could be a smooth speed bike tire, or one a little saltier with some mountain bike treads.

[Greene]

Billy - I like the idea of a section of bike tire for her pointy bow.  

Shawn - The bright orange cover came with Wrinkles.  I can't imagine why the PO chose that color, but it sure works well for shade.  It is just a nylon material like a lightweight sail (hmmmmm, maybe that is where the missing spinnaker went) that has reinforced corners and short lines at each corner for tying off.  We just sailed Friday through Monday in 95+ temps and that tarp got used a lot.  We tied it off a bit higher on the mast than the stern and it created a nice little chute for the breeze to accelerate through.



I agree the noodles would function great as a rail, but they would still look like noodles.  

Mike

[Bob23]

MG:
   How about some small fenders tied off horizontally like you have on the transom? I think the bike tire may leave black marks. Noodles? Nah...the boat is too classy. How about some 3/4" 3-strand tacked on with bronze boat nails? That would look great on Squint.
   Whatever you do, make sure it's on there well...I hear about the speeds that dingy can attain. That's why I'm bowing out of the race...I know my match when I see it!
Bob23

[Greene]

Bob,

You would have laughed if you had seen poor Squint with a white square throwable strapped right across her nose at night.  It looked like she had a big band-aid for a nose bleed.  It did stop her from banging head on at least.

Mike

[Bob23]

   I wish I could take the Squint out for a row. Do you have seat belts in it? I really think it would look good with a rope rubrail. Maybe hemp? Or regular 3 strand.
   I like your chain bobstay. I was gonna do that but never got around to it. Is it stainless or galvanized? I was toying with bronze but still have the original wire.
   Are there any poles in your orange tarp or is it just tied with rope? I should make one for Koinonia...the weather has been unbearably hot lately.
bob23

[Greene]

The bobstay chain appears to be stainless, but I guess I really haven't looked that closely at the chain.  The tarp doesn't need any poles or supports.  It is held up fore and aft with light lines tied off to the mast and the back stay.  We did clip it off to the lifelines once, but found it really didn't need it with the Bimini up.  If you aren't using a bimini then a couple tie points along the lifelines would help hold its shape.  On the 19 we went cheap and used a painter's drop cloth ($12 at big box lumber store) with some some brass grommets ($5 kit at the same big box lumber store) hammered in at the corners.  B sewed a rope into the centerline to act like a clothesline with enough rope sticking out each end to tie it off.  Later on we modified it by cutting a slit in the aft end to allow the back stay to go through it so we could extend the tarp farther aft.  A little Scotchguard spray and you have a darn good sunshade on the cheap.  It took about 2 -3 minutes for the two of us to put it up and the temp dropped in the boat instantly.  We blessed that sunshade many times when we were at the CLR 2011.

(Well Bob I think once again I have reclaimed the title from you for king of the thread drift.)



Mike

[kickingbug1]

    i dont have any rub rail ideas off the top of my head but the tarp idea will probably be employed on my 16 for the rendezvous. been so hot here we havent sailed in a while. that and some clutch issues with the 52 (which i solved during a hot (105) day spent on my garage floor. who would have thought a 60 year old pressure plate would be bad. lets see that like six times ive had the transmission in and out. it needs a zipper. you know mike i find that a trip to home depot and a little walking will help in locating the answer to your problem. see you next month.

[Bob23]

Kick:
   In the spirit of thread drift, I once had an old VW bus (1968) that had it's engine removed once every 6 months or so. Eventually, I'd leave the rear motor mount bolts out, knowing that in 6 months, I'd be removing them again. Never caused a problem until the front end rusted out but didn't evidence itself until after a few Weis beers at the local German beer pub. Shaky ride home!
   Ok, Mike Greene: Top that drift!
Bob23
(ps: Good idea about the drop cloth. Cotton, nice color, and for us old Grateful Dead freaks, I could tie-dye it! What a cool cover! Could start a trend! But maybe not)

[Salty19]

I like's Bob's idea of a rope railing for Squint.  I've seen 2" thick hemp 3 strand rope for not a lot of money-in the couple of bucks per foot range.

Another idea is a standoff pole rigidly mounted to keep Squint a given distance away.  Not sure how it would mount exactly..just tossing out an idea.