Fender board

[mick]

What is the best type of wood for the above? Also, what dimensions do most people use?

 

[jerryat]

We used an old scaffold plank given to us by a builder in Gib. Cut it in half to give us lengths of about 7 foot, one for each side of the boat when we went through the French canals. They are chunky, but you need the weight to keep a reasonable amount of it in the water when you enter some of the locks when they're full. The water level is exactly level with the top of the lock walls in many of them!!

 

[pyrojames]

I used douglas fir/oregon for mine, but any lightish strong and flexible timber would do. I'd probably go for pine again, you don't want anything to heavy to move about. Something of the order of 2" x 6 or 8", 4-8 feet long depending on boat size and storage options.

 

[graham]

I saw a good one with two one inch holes drilled in the two top corners and a small hole drilled down through the top edge of the plank into the larger hole. The rope was fed down the little hole then knotted with a figure of 8 to sit inside the 1 inch hole. This way the lanyards werent chaffing on the boat or the wall.

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

Now there's someone used to drying out against hard BC walls. Mine is the same except I drilled the holes right through. I prefer your idea Graham.
Nicki

 

[EdWingfield]

Or, more simply, cut a vee groove on the outer edge with a chisel to protect the rope from rubbing wear.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
Or, more simply, cut a vee groove on the outer edge with a chisel to protect the rope from rubbing wear.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I agree. That's exactly what we did and never had to change the lines in three trips through the canals.

 

[ebbtide]

Have taken my pair of pine boards from boat to boat for 40 years. Length is important - no storage probs if they're shorter than the focsle bunks.

 

[peterb]

Worth remembering that with a few nicely spaced holes for ropes they can make good jury rudders.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
Have taken my pair of pine boards from boat to boat for 40 years. Length is important - no storage probs if they're shorter than the focsle bunks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow! Ours are only 12 years old so mere splinters!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We 'adjusted' our lengthwise to neatly fit on edge along the side decks when not in use. One end is lashed to the pushpit and the other to one of the stanchions. I don't personally like the idea of having them below.

 

[lw395]

A scaffold board floated into view at a very apt moment, just the job, but I don't carry it around, just keep it for the scrubbing piles. I'd previously tried to buy just one scaffold plank locally and found it difficult. you have to acquire them by 'non-retail means'!
Cheers,
Chris

 

[mick]

Thanks, all.

 

[jerryat]

>>I'd previously tried to buy just one scaffold plank locally and found it difficult. you have to acquire them by 'non-retail means'!<<

Well you can buy them 'over the counter' in two of our local builders merchants! Our BM's locally are Travis Perkins and Jewsons. Try your local BM, I'd be amazed if they don't stock them.