Where is a good place to start looking for sailtube material? Do HVAC suppliers carry 14" 3/16 wall PVC?
The largest diameter PVC at my Home Depot is 8". Any suggestions? [color:"blue"] [/color]

Go to an industrial/commercial irrigation supply--they'll have every size and length you could ever want. Check the yellow pages--it may take a few phone calls.

I got a great deal on a 14 ft long 12 or 14" diameter because the end was chipped. So ask to see what they've got in their "scrap" pile. I just sawed off the chipped end to square it up with a hand saw. I also bought end caps. Works great--fits my sails, rudders, wetsuits, life jackets, etc. Good luck.

I bought a 14" 3/16 wall x 10' tube from a HVAC dealer. They use it for underground heat ducts. I have some photos of mine at http://www.thebeachcats.com. Here is the link to the page

Jack Hoying
Prindle 18
1990 H16 (for sale)
Fort Loramie, Ohio

I got mine at an industrial plumbing supply place (sewer, etc.). They had some extra laying around that they practically gave me.

Sam Evans sold me some black tubing that is much lighter than the standard PVC tubing, but still quite strong and durable. I think it makes a great sail tube.

Hey Sam, are you reading this? Can you tell me exactly what this stuff is?

Jonathan

That stuff is sold under the name brands of Hancor HI-Q and ADS N-12.
It is important to get the double-walled (smooth-liner) type.
It is far lighter and stronger than the PVC.
I can carry a 20' section of 12" dia. on my shoulder.
PVC is also subject to UV degradation.

Sam where do you get this stuff? My sailbox disintegrated this weekend.

Gann Industrial Supplies, Inc.
312 South Miami Blvd.
Durham, NC
800-969-4266
Take Hwy 70 to Durham,
When you see the brick "Welcome to Durham" sign take the exit which veers to the left.
This is Miami Blvd.
First bldg on the left is Gann.
The pipe only comes in 20 foot sections.
If you only want to carry one sail, hiking stick and boom, a ten inch diameter pipe is big enough.
A twelve inch can carry two sails, two booms, hiking sticks, tiller connector bars, etc.
The plastic end caps can cost $15-$20 a piece.
I made hatches for Jonathans' tube with plywood.
Give me a call if you need any help.

Here is a Q that might be a bit off topic, but what about using a thin wall, light-weight PVC tube for a snuffer?
I think the Tiger uses something like that.

Is there such thing as thin-wall PVC tubing?

I'm going to pick one up tomorrow. Now I need to find a sawzaw to cut it down to size

All it takes to cut HDPE or PVC is an ordinary handsaw.

but this gives me an excuse to buy a powertool!

How much $ do the pipe sections run Sam?

The 12" double wall pipe you should be able to pick up for about $4/ft. Check around you may find someone to sell 1/2 of a section.

Clayton

Disclaimer... We're a distributor but we're too far to do you any good. So this is not an ad.

Went to Lowe's today, and they have the 12" smooth inside PVC for $87 which is just about $4 x 1'

This whole thread makes me want to invest in a whole new trailer.

Most home depot-type store sell 4" diameter PVC pipes for sewer lines - i.e. not required to hold pressure, so they are thin wall. 4" may be too small for a snuffer, but there may be 6" or larger diam available from a specialty place.

I'm not making a snuffer, this is for the trailer box.

Also, Lowes had several varieties of 6" diameter pvc and other materal piping.