I saw an article in the recent Sea Kayaker Magazine about replacing some of the bungee cord deck fittings on your boat with more durable straps. I think my VCP Avocet is a prime candidate for this type of upgrade. The smart Brits who made the boat have underdeck protection where the screws go in. Here's my question: What types of strapping materials, and when I install them, do I need to make tiny grommets to keep the material from tearing? They'd have to be really small grommets. Or, can I just screw the screws right through the straps? If I do that, wouldn't the material eventually wear away at the attachment points? Thanks, Marsanne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:53 AM 12/31/02 -0600, firefly wrote: >I saw an article in the recent Sea Kayaker Magazine about replacing some of >the bungee cord deck fittings on your boat with more durable straps. I think >my VCP Avocet is a prime candidate for this type of upgrade. The smart Brits >who made the boat have underdeck protection where the screws go in. Here's >my question: What types of strapping materials, and when I install them, do >I need to make tiny grommets to keep the material from tearing? They'd have >to be really small grommets. Or, can I just screw the screws right through >the straps? If I do that, wouldn't the material eventually wear away at the >attachment points? Thanks, Marsanne You can buy a grommet maker to do this. It's a little kit that consists of a small metal tube with one end sharpened for making the holes, a tool consisting of two parts for installing the grommet, and a bunch of brass grommets. Should cost about $12. However, I just put the screws through the straps. I figure even if it eventually does wear through the webbing is real cheap and replacing it ever couple of years isn't a big deal. The trick, however is to make a hole in the webbing using a soldering iron. That makes a nice round hole with the edges melted and keeps it from fraying. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/2/2003 8:22:44 AM Eastern Standard Time, jaf30_at_cornell.edu writes: > ... However, I just put the screws through the straps. I figure even if it > eventually does wear through the webbing is real cheap and replacing it > ever couple of years isn't a big deal. The trick, however is to make a > hole in the webbing using a soldering iron. That makes a nice round hole > with the edges melted and keeps it from fraying. ... I have very negative experience with grommets in webbing straps under any significant loads: The holes for the grommets reduce the effective (loadbearing) width of the webbing straps, causing the grommets to tear out. I did experiment with melted holes, but found that this only improves the situation partially. I have had best success not using grommets at all, instead opening the weave of the strap with an awl (or marlinespike) without damaging it. I routinely (pop and straight) rivet webbing straps and also screw them to surfaces (mostly wood), underlaying the (brass!) screws with (brass!) washers (from the same section of the hardware store) -- round head screws work with regular flat washers, I prefer countersunk screw heads and the specialized washers that go with them for this type of application. Stainless screws will work, of course, if you can find them in the appropriate size and shape at a decent price. Best regards, Ralph Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_Atlatl-Kayaks.com / Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.Atlatl-Kayaks.com / www.PouchBoats.com phone: +1-203-324-0901 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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