Foam transom supports?

I lost my foam transom supports this week-end. You know, the bits of foam you attach to the bottom of the hulls to rig your boat. I stupidly left mine on the trampoline and drove away. They flew out... I retraced the route I took but no avail, they are gone. I'm bummed, those were really nice, the right shape, the right thickness...

Before I order a new set from Stealth Marine (£45), I figure I should investigate how those thing are made as I need some for the 5.2 as well.

Do you know what material are those things made of? Any idea where I could find a source for this material in the UK? How do you cut it?

I've used all manner of things under my boat to keep it off the ground from foam pool noodles, boat fenders, marine seat foam, and custom made foam/fiberglass stands.

Foam noodles are the easiest, cut noodle 12" tie a rope through the middle of the noodle, done.

Boat fenders, with bungee cords work good too.

If you want to get fancy, get some pink rigid insulation foam from the home improvement store, cut to size, fiberglass, sand and paint, some exterior carpet finishes it nicely.


Bill

I don't know about the UK, but here is where I bought my foam:

http://www.efoamstore.com/

I would have to think there would be something similar where you are.

They will cut to the shape and size that you need.

I bought two 4X12X10" blocks of their highest density foam. Then I used an electric knife to carve out the center. Then I ran a bungee cord through a hole I cut in one side, accross the bottom in a channel I cut out and then through the hole on the other side. This loops over the hull.

I also put a second bungie cord run in a similar fashion accross the back to secure to the pintel. Sometimes the boat can roll backwards and this keeps the block in place.

Let us know what you find...been looking to replace my aging Marstom stern chocks for years now.

I've seen this same type of foam in Kayak stores/catalogs for roof top mounts etc. Would need to glue several blocks together to build up enough size. A heated wire cutter should work to shape it...anyone know where to buy heater wire cutters?

After my experience at SF, I'll never have stern chocks that the boat can "come out of" meaning, no matter where it decides to move by itself, the chocks need to protect the bottom.

In that vein, the swim noodles that wrap all the way up the sides and attach firmly to the hulls is what I've started using.

That's why I added the extra bungie that attaches to the pintles. Don't ask me how I know.

TEH,

Mind taking a photo and posting it?

My friend built me a set using the black plastic corrugated pipe, cut into 1/3rd's and 1 ft long, and then a strip of blue foam glued to the top where the boat sits. It works great, its stiff, and you can slide the boat around on them on pavement or grass. It attaches with bungee over the hull like all of them.

I like that idea, heck we even sell that pipe :-)
If you want the foam to make the blocks you need to locate an awning or insulated roof supplier (Similiar to Structall.com) I get foam sheets from them when they make deliveries. They use them to separate components in the truck. Always have a bunch lying around, up to 6" thick and sometimes large pieces.

Clayton

I might be able to take a photo tonight.

I always screw up adding pictures, but here are a couple shots (I hope). I had a version of these without the pintle cord and they would slip off with the boat slipping forward or back.

John Tomko makes custom ones that are sweet. Traction grip on the bottom so they don't slide. Bungee cord to attach. Real fair price. He made then for my H-17


Doug

contact?

Don't know what will work over there Pepin but here's what I'm using in the USA. When I search the net I use "minicell foam" as my search words and that brings up what I need. I found the supplier shown below on eBay and they have been a great vendor for me. While a band saw does the nicest job that I've seen an electric carving knife, like for carving meat, works real well too. Look for one at yard sales. Beyond that a long thin knife or hack saw blade will do the trick. Contact cement will bond pieces together very well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Minicell-Closed-Cell-Foam

Foam N' More, Inc
1925 W. Maple
Troy, MI 48084
(248) 284-0002 Phone

That e-bay link is no longer active. Here is the company link:

http://www.foamandupholstery.com/polyethylene_foam.htm

Other that the gluing, I like this solution better because I don't think this foam will absorb any water. It also looks a little cheaper than what I did.

What prompted the latest set was I lost one of my old ones while trailering. That and the desire to keep them from slipping off when moving the boat.

http://www.letargets.com/estylez_item.aspx?item=BAC-PF10

this is a bit of an unconventional source but the size is right to build two chocks if you cut the piece and glue it together to make a 6 inch thick piece.

just a thought

cc

here's a link to the '07 discussion
Rear Hull Foam Pads
Dan_Delave's sketch is on page two.

I bought a pair of these.


I've had a lot of different stuff and these seem like the best though expensive. If you don't lose them they should last a lifetime.

I found them for like 67 a piece plus 17 for shipping.

You can't hide money.

The supports John Tomko makes are better than Marstroms. I don't know if he still makes them or has the materials on hand.

A couple of thoughts.

If you are going to use foam, use outdoor foam. Many of the furniture foams fall apart due to UV in weeks-months. The foams that I know work are Rubatex and Ensolite.

EPS (styrofoam) works great, lasts longer than you think, and is widely available. Try furniture supply stores. You can cut it with a med-fine wood saw blade. To improve durability, you can cover it with epoxy glass. It is a good way to practice laminating epoxy glass.

You can cut short (6-10") inch sections of PVC pipe or foam noodles to make a chock. Glue them together Then lash the PVC and sew the noodles. Lash the PVC by running a line through the center of each pipe and then through the center of each neighbor. I used a fid for the needle to sew the noodles. Both have problems. The noodles wore out and the PVC kept trying to turn into just a pile of pipes.

Old tires make great chocks for fixed locations (boat yards, storing a boat off the ground in your back yard, etc). Don't cut the tire unless you are sure there is no steel in the tire. The steel will rust and stain your boat. Just lay the tire flat.

The coolest chocks I ever saw was made from old cat trailer tire for the bottom with cradles made from grey no steel industrial/ATV tires bolted to the trailer tires

Spent a lot of time looking for something like this:



But never found any. Styrofoam apparently is no longer eco-friendly and must be covered and contained or something...

Just ended up buying 8" diameter fenders. Picked them up cheap when Boaters World went out of business, but they cost around $45 apiece not on sale. Tied on with rope through the middle. It was the only solution to really feel like the hull was protected. If the ones from Stealth are like the ones in the pic, the peace of mind may be worth it.

Click da pic, if you want really big peace of mind...

Sent him a PM, but he has not been on TCDYC site in about 6 weeks. When he get back I will let you know.

Doug

I don't want to speak for John but I don't think he makes them anymore. He was making them while he had materials because of a minimum purchase issue or something like that. They sure are nice, I think I bought one of the last pairs.

John Tomko just called me and he is in fact still making/selling his bada$$ transom supports. The cost is 120.00 per pair and he can be reached via email at tomko at gvtc dot com.

Yes I got a PM from him on these. Any chance of seeing a picture of them in action? Are they anything like the stock ones from Marstrom:


I kinda like the 4-5" thickness of these...they don't take up too much space in my trailer while on the road.

If it's any help for those that want to make their own foam supports, kayak and canoe supply shops sell minicell foam as the sport uses this a lot for kneelers, seats and **** protection.....

they are very similar - but the foam in the center is a rubber foam and more durable IMHO. I had a pair of Tomko's for my F18 and they were clearly the best thing out there.

They also have a plastic non skid around the sides and bottom that makes them more durable. Mine show no signs of any wear.

Doug

http://www.shop4lifejackets.com/ski-belts.htm

These work great and are found at several sources. Search for Waterski Belt.