Shaping stainless steel sheet to make stem protecor plate

[Gymnopedie]

I do a lot if single handed anchoring in my Beneteau 311 and am not always as careful as I might be in raising and securing the anchor on the bow roller (using the electric windlass).

Is it a practical DIY job to shape stainless steel sheet to fit the stem - and if so how? It needs to be about 300mm deep by 450 reducing to 350 wide. The stem section is square edged beneath the stem fitting so some sort of "crease" is needed.

 

[sailorman]

I had one made a few weeks ago.
i made card patterns, gave them to the S/S man who cut,bent & polished. I fitted it. Price quoted £60 > 80

 

[VicS]

I had one made a few weeks ago.
i made card patterns, gave them to the S/S man who cut,bent & polished. I fitted it. Price quoted £60 > 80

And in the Chichester area the guy in Chi marina; Chris Silverthorn ???

or Oliver Taylor in Emsworth marina

come to mind

 

[William_H]

You may be able to find a thin SS sheet with adhesive backing. You can buy wide tape like this. it may satisfy your needs at a lot less price and trouble than heavier sheet.
good luck olewill

 

[TQA]

Forget the thin stuff.

Min 1.5 mm and 2 mm better. Bending it is a doddle IF you have the right kit. It is a%2

 

[Daydream believer]

A couple of years ago the RYA mag carried an advert from a firm selling them for circa £60
Unfortunately i have not seen the add since & would definitely have one if i knew who it was
Being a single handed sailor i tend to catch the bow on the pontoon a lot!!

 

[PabloPicasso]

I had one made a few weeks ago.
i made card patterns, gave them to the S/S man who cut,bent & polished. I fitted it. Price quoted £60 > 80

Look at this car panel making video for how to form metal panels

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=491K3bqJ_9M

 

[reeac]

I had something similar made a couple of years ago by a small metal-working firm. My tip: study the behaviour of the anchor as it lifts up on the bow roller. Depending on the anchor design it may only be the flukes that cause a problem and you may be able to minimise the size of the protective sheet. On the other hand, if you've had problems in the past then your stem will be marked accordingly and so you'll know how much needs protecting.

 

[sailorman]

A couple of years ago the RYA mag carried an advert from a firm selling them for circa £60
Unfortunately i have not seen the add since & would definitely have one if i knew who it was
Being a single handed sailor i tend to catch the bow on the pontoon a lot!!

Mine was the new anchor flukes at the roller

 

[alahol2]

An alternative route, which I took, is to extend the bow roller. Gives a slightly better position for the tack of the cruising chute too.

 

[cryan]

I do a lot if single handed anchoring in my Beneteau 311 and am not always as careful as I might be in raising and securing the anchor on the bow roller (using the electric windlass).

Is it a practical DIY job to shape stainless steel sheet to fit the stem - and if so how? It needs to be about 300mm deep by 450 reducing to 350 wide. The stem section is square edged beneath the stem fitting so some sort of "crease" is needed.

Simple answer: No!
Not unless you happen to have access to all the cutting, heating, rolling and polishing equipment and even then your going to want a good level of experience as this kind of work is as much about feel and judgement as it is about following instructions.
Save yourself the cost of the equipment and the twenty failed attempts and pay someone who's been recommended by an associate.
It might be worthwhile saving costs by having it made and you polishing it yourself. That way you save a few hours labour and you get the sense of achievement of making the dull metal come to life with a shine.