Temporary cushioning protects paintwork
Issue 51 : Nov/Dec 2006
Docking has been the bane of my sailing career, particulary since I cruise singlehanded most of the time. Like many boats, Kalypso doesn’t have rubrails. No matter where I put my fenders, a pier always seems to bang into some other place along the hull. Each spring I get out the Awlgrip to touch up the scratches. Then I had an idea: why not make some “stowaway rubrails” out of lifeline cushions? The cushions could serve as a temporary rubrail when needed and could be stowed along the toerail when under way.
After making some measurements, I found that three 70-inch lifeline cushions would cover the critical area on each side of my 34-foot boat. The cushions could be secured by rope on each end to the stanchion bases, which are about the same distance apart. It was then just a matter of figuring out what to put in the lifeline cushions to provide the best combination of support and flexibility. The hole in the cushions will accept a 3⁄8-inch rod. Initially uncertain what material would work best, I experimented with bamboo, aluminum, and steel rod dowels.
After a season of banging piers, I found that a couple of the bamboo dowels were broken. The aluminum rods bent and were difficult to straighten out. The best solution appears to be 1⁄4-inch steel rod. To avoid rust, I painted the rods before putting them into the cushions. (Actually, I think hard plastic rods or pipe would be even better, but I have been unable to find the right size in local hardware stores.) The last step was to hang the cushions over the side at the correct distance with 3⁄8-inch line secured to the stanchion bases and sewn into the holes at the ends of the cushions.
After one docking season, my stowaway rubrail works great. It is held securely with Velcro strips along the toerail when not needed and does not get in my way when going forward to work sails. When the wind and current make it difficult to dock, I simply go forward and yank the Velcro strips, allowing the cushions to drop down. It takes only a minute to undo or secure them along the toerail. And the best part: there were no dings or paint scratches on my boat this spring.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
