Bow protector

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Daydream believer

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Due to mainly sailing single handing I have begun to get a few chips in the gell coat at the bow.
I did think of a bow fender but being SH it can be a hassle rigging fenders & lines in rough weather so one more is not really an option. Especially a bow one with 4 lines to hold it

I have seen stainless steel bow protectors advertised but expensive
I have seen some 0.5mm th stainless steel fairly cheaply & wondered if this would bend easily around the bow. I have worked out how to hold it in place when fixing by using adjustable straps
I was thinking of fitting with Sikaflex

Anyone know if this thickness will bend easily ( about 80mm diam semi circle) & if sikaflex will hold it
Or have others found a better solution ( other than stopping before I hit the front pontoon)
 
I've seen rubbery plastic type strips that go down the bow - perhaps these might absorb the shock better than stainless steel?
 
If the steel is thin enough to bend, will it be thick enough to provide any useful protection?

The usual reason for stainless around the bow is to prevent chafe from the anchor chain.

If it's your home berth you're hitting, can you not fit fendering to the pontoon?

Pete
 
Shakemeister said:
I've seen rubbery plastic type strips that go down the bow - perhaps these might absorb the shock better than stainless steel?
Click to expand...

Those things look good. I just can't bring myself to pay over £100 for a bit of plastic foam. (http://www.force4.co.uk/7706/Force-4-Ocean-Bow-Fender.html)

This seems more like an idea: http://www.bavariayacht.info/forum/index.php/topic,343.0.html. A quick look at eBay suggests the foam should be under a fiver, though I'm intending to go and buy some from my nearest foam or upholstery place.
 
trapezeartist said:
Those things look good. I just can't bring myself to pay over £100 for a bit of plastic foam. (http://www.force4.co.uk/7706/Force-4-Ocean-Bow-Fender.html)

This seems more like an idea: http://www.bavariayacht.info/forum/index.php/topic,343.0.html. A quick look at eBay suggests the foam should be under a fiver, though I'm intending to go and buy some from my nearest foam or upholstery place.
Click to expand...

Normal foam will be too soft. Try one of these sections of rubber fendering sold by the m. http://www.littleportboathaven.co.uk/FENDER RUBBERS.htm

or http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping.asp?intDepartmentId=5
 
Daydream believer said:
a better solution ( other than stopping before I hit the front pontoon)
Click to expand...
I hate to be the one who says it, if you are routinely chipping your gel coat maybe its time to look to look at your boat handling.

We can all make mistakes, my boat handling rarely looks very good. My first priority is not to damage others second my own boat and 3rd to get alongside, on each attempt I learn something...

Yes if its breezy and I am solo, its often the berthing that stops me sailing not the overall weather conditions, if its marginal I will do some work on the boat instead..
 
onesea said:
I hate to be the one who says it, if you are routinely chipping your gel coat maybe its time to look to look at your boat handling.

We can all make mistakes, my boat handling rarely looks very good. My first priority is not to damage others second my own boat and 3rd to get alongside, on each attempt I learn something...

Yes if its breezy and I am solo, its often the berthing that stops me sailing not the overall weather conditions, if its marginal I will do some work on the boat instead..
Click to expand...

Yesterday counted the chips
4 in 10 years is not that bad considering the lumps of metal one often sees on pontoons in foreign ports
Berthing has never been the reason to stop me sailing
I just feel annoyed at spoiling the gel coat & want to tidy it up
 
Daydream believer said:
Yesterday counted the chips
4 in 10 years is not that bad considering the lumps of metal one often sees on pontoons in foreign ports
Berthing has never been the reason to stop me sailing
I just feel annoyed at spoiling the gel coat & want to tidy it up
Click to expand...

4 chips in 10 years is bloody good! Do you really need anything, there? there is less time repairing the dings than rigging a fender all the time. You know dam well they day you don't rig it :ambivalence:

For me the berthing stopping sailing is more due to interesting (but affordable) mooring. Last year I had to complete an S bend with 1/2 a boat width spare with cross current, gusty often unpredictable wind, then finally back up 3 boat lengths and into my berth with inches between the boats (fine unless the other boats left fenders out then the fenders would snag).
Present berth is easy unless there is strong wind blowing on and no boat next door, then the rope joining the buoys goes under the boat and sits along side the keel, rudder and propeller not worth the risk solo. I have got ways and means if I really want to but to be honest most of the time I just figure its not worth it.
 
Daydream believer said:
Yesterday counted the chips
4 in 10 years is not that bad considering the lumps of metal one often sees on pontoons in foreign ports
Berthing has never been the reason to stop me sailing
I just feel annoyed at spoiling the gel coat & want to tidy it up
Click to expand...

Uggie in Southminster will make one for you..... and Sikaflex will retain it in a sheep/blanket robust manner.
 
I suspect ss sheet will do more damage to your bow than good both in the fixing and the hidden damage behind it. Why not rig a bow fender and leave it on all the time?
 
I've got a stainless steel protector on my bow. I specified it as a factory fit option. My boat has a near vertical stem, and its main purpose is to stop the anchor taking a chunk out of the bow if allowed to swing (and, possibly, to protect against chain chafe as PRV says, although I would say that is very much secondary). I do, however, cringe on the rare occasion I make the mistake of allowing the anchor to swing such that it does make contact. There are 3 or 4 small dents in the steel protector that I have caused and which will probably be there for the rest of Angele's days.

If you get a ding in your gelcoat it can be invisibly repaired.

If you get a ding in a stainless steel bow protector you can't. What is the chance you will be wondering, after you have had it fitted, how to protect the stainless steel? A bow fender, perhaps?
 
Angele said:
If you get a ding in your gelcoat it can be invisibly repaired.

If you get a ding in a stainless steel bow protector you can't. What is the chance you will be wondering, after you have had it fitted, how to protect the stainless steel? A bow fender, perhaps?
Click to expand...

+1

I saw yachts with dented SS bow protector, sorry for Angele, but they do not look good. Almost better to remove them.
I would put one of those flat bow fenders that I see some leaving permanently on.
 
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When I bought my ex charter boat it came with a plastic bow protector glued in place.

I would think it would be easy to make a similar one from a white plastic container by cutting out the shape, bending it with a hot air blower and gluing it on.

John
 
Claymore has a stainless plate fitted. Sikkaflex and self tappers hold it in place. It has a few dings in it but looks fine - I'd rather that than chips out of the gel
 
Laundryman said:
Google Compass Marine Stem Fenders, £35 or less. Different colours and sizes and will do what you want. Thanks. Alan
Click to expand...

With all due respect That is exactly what I do not want. I have enough trouble setting mooring lines & fenders in rough weather without an additional one on the bow
To rig it I would have to kneel on the bow & reach around around the forestay & make fast 4 lines. Sods law says that will almost certainly end up in the drink
 
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