inflatable dinghy "chaps"

[grafozz]

no ,not the owners !
but the tube covers to protect them from UV damage ,
does the panel know where to buy these ?
my rib is already suffering degradation after 1 summer hanging from the stern !

 

[angelsson]

I have had a similar problem, two years in the med and it is starting to fall apart, a lesson learned as a new one required!
For protection I notice many use a bed sheet type cover, have others found this effective?

 

[macad]

All the protected ribs and tenders I have encountered in sunnier climes than the UK either permanently cover their sponsons with custom made Sunbrella type 'chaps' or have a general cover, again custom made, to protect from sun, sea and salt when not in use. This is the case at all sizes. The general covers are more of a pain to put on and take off each time you want to take a ride.

My guess is that a fitted general cover may be findable off-the-shelf but I have never seen ready-made tender chaps; but the cost of custom making can make the pain of moving on a tender every two seasons more sensible. It all depends upon the size of the inflatable to be covered.

 

[rivonia]

hopefully here are two photos of the CHAPS on our ding. They were professionally done in Yacht Marine Marmaris-Turkey. Before and after. Click on image to enlarge.

Peter

 

[Lakesailor]

Make your own http://esc-pod.com/our-boat/dinghy-chaps/

 

[TQA]

Well it would help to know the make and model of the dink but yes they are available off the shelf for some makes. Out here in the Carib where ABs and Caribes are the popular makes Budget Marine and Island Water World stock them.

http://www.budgetmarine.com/Catalog/Dinghies+%c3%be+Watersports/AB+Dinghy+Parts+%c3%be+Accessories/Covers+%c3%be+Chaps/productgroup.aspx

 

[grafozz]

!!!!!!!!!!

Well it would help to know the make and model of the dink but yes they are available off the shelf for some makes. Out here in the Carib where ABs and Caribes are the popular makes Budget Marine and Island Water World stock them.

http://www.budgetmarine.com/Catalog/Dinghies+%c3%be+Watersports/AB+Dinghy+Parts+%c3%be+Accessories/Covers+%c3%be+Chaps/productgroup.aspx

well thanks , TQA
but I could replace the tubes for the $554 cost of these chaps ,
maybe I,ll look for a full cover here in Greece, the rib is 2.9 meteres btw
good sailing ,
gramos .

 

[TQA]

well thanks , TQA
but I could replace the tubes for the $554 cost of these chaps ,
maybe I,ll look for a full cover here in Greece, the rib is 2.9 meteres btw
good sailing ,
gramos .

A canvas shop out here charges more than $550 for a set of custom covers think 700 to a 1000$ US There is a lot of pattern making measuring and tweaking the first time you make a set for a particular model.

A set of tubes for an AB 10 feet dink will cost at least $2000 duty free. Best to wait until St Marten if you need these.

If you have time and a sewing machine DIY is the cheapest option but don't expect to run them up in a day.

 

[pvb]

They don't seem to be a particularly attractive solution, or is that just my strange sense of aesthetics?

 

[TQA]

They don't seem to be a particularly attractive solution, or is that just my strange sense of aesthetics?

I agree some look really tatty.

The best set that I have seen are on Stingo's dink.