I just built a cart for wheeling my kayaks onto ferries. The cart uses an "+" shaped saddle, where the cross-piece is curved to fit my kayaks near the bulkhead (surprisingly, even though the kayaks are quite different, the curve of the hull near each boat's bulkhead was very similar), and the longitudinal piece is flat. I lined the saddle with that blue closed-cell foam which I think is called "Ensolite" (the stuff used, AFAIK, only by young male backpackers for sleeping pads). The saddle fits the boats quite well. Here's the problem: after giving it a test-spin, deliberately trying it on small curbs (maybe an inch or two high) at various angles, the darn thing slips where it attaches to the kayak, even when I cinch the strap that holds the kayak to the cart quite tight. To my surprise, I found that the Ensolite foam is a little slippery when wet, which seems to be the bulk of the problem. So, does anyone have any suggestions for some kind of coating that I could paint on the Ensolite that (a) will stick to it (some glues, for example contact cement, don't adhere to it very well -- although polyurethane sticks quite well); (b) will provide enough friction to keep the kayak from slip-sliding around on the saddle, but without being "sticky" (in other words, I don't want dirt or debris sticking to it); and (c) will remain flexible. One idea I was considering is 3m 5200 marine sealant, though I'm not sure it would remain tacky enough. As an alternative approach, I could glue some kind of tacky material to the foam. Any ideas? Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Evan Dallas wrote: > Here's the problem: after giving it a > test-spin, deliberately trying it on small curbs (maybe an inch or two > high) at various angles, the darn thing slips where it attaches to the > kayak, even when I cinch the strap that holds the kayak to the cart > quite tight. To my surprise, I found that the Ensolite foam is a little > slippery when wet, which seems to be the bulk of the problem. > > Any ideas? > in addition to cinching the cart to the kayak at the bulkhead, two small-diameter lines affixed to the ends of the longitudinal member and tied off fore and aft (grab loop and coaming/padeye/etc) should prevent fore/aft slippage. No muss and fuss with coatings, lightweight, and occupies little space - though you might have to learn a tautline hitch or some similar knot. Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> I lined the saddle with > that blue closed-cell foam which I think is called "Ensolite" (the stuff > used, AFAIK, only by young male backpackers for sleeping pads). Offtopic there, but I'm probably young :-); though, I'm using this blue foam for sleeping pad in combination with Thermarest only (to protect Thermarest from punctures, and to smooth down boulders and tree roots). Z-rest foam would've been better. > saddle fits the boats quite well. Here's the problem: after giving it a > test-spin, deliberately trying it on small curbs (maybe an inch or two > high) at various angles, the darn thing slips where it attaches to the > kayak, even when I cinch the strap that holds the kayak to the cart > quite tight. I never gave a second thought to slippage of the hull 1 or 2" back and forth in the saddle. Foam doesn't seem to damage the hull.- at least in portages shorter than a few hundred yards. 2" high gently sloped boulders are fine, but smooth ride *down* on 2" vertical curbs requires larger (and inflatable) wheels than my current with 9"x3" foam-tire wheels from a golf cart. 2" vertical curb is too steep drop for a boat. It may hit the asphalt or ferry ramp with another (higher) end. I'm trying to do such a maneouver very slowly, even when there is a line-up of cars behind me :-)... *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On Wednesday 30 March 2005 02.03, you wrote: > So, does anyone have any suggestions for some kind of coating that I > could paint on the Ensolite that (a) will stick to it (some glues, for > example contact cement, don't adhere to it very well -- although > polyurethane sticks quite well); (b) will provide enough friction to > keep the kayak from slip-sliding around on the saddle, but without being > "sticky" (in other words, I don't want dirt or debris sticking to it); > and (c) will remain flexible. One idea I was considering is 3m 5200 > marine sealant, though I'm not sure it would remain tacky enough. As an > alternative approach, I could glue some kind of tacky material to the foam. There is sticky foam (rubber foam) that aircraft modellers use to prevent their battery packs from sliding around - maybe that would work? On second thoughts I think it is better to add a few bits of non-slip tape, as used on decks on sailing boats, for instance. Deep down where they don't affect too much! The increased drag in the water will be of the infinitive kind - or less than a deep scratch in the hull .-)! Tord *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
How about buying a couple of cheap mouse pads? Contact cement them on upside down (so the grippy side is towards the boat.) Just an idea. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Good idea! I was going to suggest getting the rubber from a rubber sales company but you can't get anything cheaper than a mouse pad. Prob. FREE if you look hard enough : ) -----Original Message----- How about buying a couple of cheap mouse pads? Contact cement them on upside down (so the grippy side is towards the boat.) Just an idea. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.4 - Release Date: 3/27/2005 *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Most rubber types get very slippery when wet, so you have to test first! Tord, professional driver On Thursday 31 March 2005 04.48, you wrote: > Good idea! I was going to suggest getting the rubber from a rubber > sales company but you can't get anything cheaper than a mouse pad. Prob. > FREE if you look hard enough : ) > > -----Original Message----- > > How about buying a couple of cheap mouse pads? Contact cement them on > upside down (so the grippy side is towards the boat.) Just an idea. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Shellac gets tackier when wet. On Apr 1, 2005 1:28 AM, Tord Eriksson <tord_at_tord.nu> wrote: > Most rubber types get very slippery when wet, > so you have to test first! *************************************************************************** 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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