Adam F Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 The rubber D fender has fallen off the front of BW. It is anchored at each side of the engine well on the stern and wraps around the boat covering the join of hull to topside and then comes back to the stern. It is fiited under tension to stop it falling off, but I think too much throttle and a big wave maybe to blame. any roads, it is off and I cant get it back on. As it goes on under tension when I fit it I an about 1' short of the anchor point. Gordon is coming over later to add some muscle to it and we propose to lubricate the strip with washing up liquid - but I am baffled how we will get the tention and fit it at the same time. Anyone had any experiance here, or know any ingenious way of making this bitch of a job very easy....?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady jane Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 not sure but if you leave it in your car with the windows closed the heat may be enough to gain the inch by making it more flexible ? if not could you winch it back to a fixed point using the old type car jack or tirfor winch ? andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaicemat Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Or, with a bit of lateral thinking, fix the two ends first and then work it round using a fulcrum to gain the last bit of stretch over the final bend. No experience but worth a try. Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Terry's answer is a fairly normal way to do it. Using a rubber mallet and a wedge should pop it into place if it is fixed into a little aluminimum or stainless "holder".... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Terry is right that's the way to do it, wooden laths as leavers are a help as are some V shaped wedges to open up the U shape of the fendering as it comes into contact with the hull/topside lip. It helps to keep the rubber dry but lubricate the lip, that way your grip on the rubber is still firm yet it will slip on to the lip easily. On a hot day like today the rubber section will be easily pliable and it might pay to do a measurement of the exact length required less a bit to keep the tension in the U section. The exact length can be assertained by measuring by using a tight string around the the run of the rubber U section. Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I had thought about this, and to be fair should have left it attached as it was this morning - BUT, I disconnected it as I couldnt pull it round, hoping that I would get slack. Now Im not sure I will even be able to attach the loose end again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newboy Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Is it off altogether? If it is, soak in in very very hot water for a few minutes and the rubber should be more rubbery , do it like today when it's hot so the softer rubber would last a little longer before hardening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Adam I am surprised you are struggling so much the big fendering on the new boat is fairly easy to elongate by pulling It may be the friction inside the channel try lubricating the inside of the channel with the washing up liquid and using the heat we are enjoying to keep the rubber flexible, then pull like hell Hope that helps Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I had thought about this, and to be fair should have left it attached as it was this morning - BUT, I disconnected it as I couldnt pull it round, hoping that I would get slack. Now Im not sure I will even be able to attach the loose end again. Am I right in thinking that the ends you are talking about start at the return of the hull into the transom. Some way into the transom ? If you remember Martins post about Cherries chandlery in Moredown, well you should be able to get U section end caps in Stainless off them. Or just get a length od stainless sheet and cut two straps to length (I have some sheet here) Any way what some do is to use wood laths sandwiching the rubber and clamped in place with G cramps when starting the job off. This holds the U section in place at the transom on each side. Mad Mike PS don't worry about the boiling water, That's only needed in the depths of winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob F Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 Adam, I took the buffering off of Splash-Out yesterday to clean the boat, leaving the ends attached to the transom. Then left her in the sun to let the rubber warm up. The buffer was tough to put back on but did eventually do it by twisting and pushing into place, starting at on e end and working my way round. I will not be taking it off again in a hurry though! Left wrist is knackered now. BF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted July 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 It was more like hard plastic / rubber, hence the reason so hard, and it was about 18" short, so alot of stretching needed - god knows how it came off! 3 blokes, a box of stella (bribes!) a massive ratchet strap, a big tree, some WD40, several big persuaders, a big hammer and lots of sweating and grunting did the job! Got there though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afishionado Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 WAIT A MIN' ! Same idea but reversed so the boat is stretched back against the rubber as in a sling. Let go the ratchet holding everything in tension and .......... THWUNK!!!! A boat launching catapult for Baiter Mad Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
great white Posted July 20, 2006 Report Share Posted July 20, 2006 Mike all I can say is we gave you the right name Adam glad its sorted mate, its probably black PVC Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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