"Medium" length stern button

[IanD]

This might seem like a strange request, but does anyone know a source for a "medium-length" stern button -- in between the "short" (about 8") and "long" (about 14") ones that everyone seems to supply?

 

Don't really want/need the longer one (rudder sticks out less than normal, trying to avoid lifting the button in locks like Salterhebble) but the short one doesn't stick out quite far enough to protect the rudder against hitting a cill, see photo. Like Goldilock's porridge, something in between would be *just* right... 😉

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by IanD
typo

[Jonny P]

Try Tradline at Braunston. They may have something but you’ll likely need to have it made to order. The good news is that they’ll make it as you want it. The bad news is that there will probably be a nine month waiting list.

 

They will also make you something that looks a whole lot better than that.

Edited September 14, 2023 by Captain Pegg

[Tonka]

Buy a short one and some rope and tie knots in the rope to cover the short one.

[David Mack]

A motor  narrow boat would traditionally have two tipcats and one button fender on the stern, as in this picture from Tradline's website.

 

 

In your case you might want just a single tipcat plus button.

But when I spoke to Tradline a few months ago they had no tipcats in stock and a waiting list of several months.

If you are happy with fenders made of plastic rope rather than manilla, other suppliers are available who may have stock or shorter waiting lists.

 

Or of course you could buy some rope and make your own fender of whatever size and shape you want!

[IanD]

15 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

Try Tradline at Braunston. They may have something but you’ll likely need to have it made to order. The good news is that they’ll make it as you want it. The bad news is that there will probably be a nine month waiting list.

Thanks, I've asked them about this 🙂

[Jonny P]

I too was thinking of a single tipcat when I suggested Tradline could make something better. But they are the experts so they’ll be able to advise on what will suit Ian’s needs.
 

I had a pair of tipcats made by Tradline last year. They were made to just cover the rudder without the need for a button which is better for towing. They also fitted them which I’d strongly recommend. Made a lovely job of soft shackles on my bow fender. However the location isn’t ideal for Ian.

[Tonka]

8 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

I too was thinking of a single tipcat when I suggested Tradline could make something better. But they are the experts so they’ll be able to advise on what will suit Ian’s needs.
 

I had a pair of tipcats made by Tradline last year. They were made to just cover the rudder without the need for a button which is better for towing. They also fitted them which I’d strongly recommend. Made a lovely job of soft shackles on my bow fender. However the location isn’t ideal for Ian.

Why is the location wrong. Where have the builders put the bow then ?

[IanD]

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

A motor  narrow boat would traditionally have two tipcats and one button fender on the stern, as in this picture from Tradline's website.

 

 

In your case you might want just a single tipcat plus button.

But when I spoke to Tradline a few months ago they had no tipcats in stock and a waiting list of several months.

If you are happy with fenders made of plastic rope rather than manilla, other suppliers are available who may have stock or shorter waiting lists.

 

Or of course you could buy some rope and make your own fender of whatever size and shape you want!

 

A single tipcat under the button might be a good solution, and not involve waiting months for a custom button... 🙂

[Rob-M]

We have a single tipcat and a button, just enough to stop the rudder hitting something.  We had to have two extra mounting points welded on but you appear to have four so would be ok.

[IanD]

6 minutes ago, Rob-M said:

We have a single tipcat and a button, just enough to stop the rudder hitting something.  We had to have two extra mounting points welded on but you appear to have four so would be ok.

 

I've looked at that, and it ends up about the same length or longer than a "long" button -- your rudder (and most others) almost certainly sticks out further than mine does.

[BoatinglifeupNorth]

Why not just ask the builder to source you one and put it on, after all your paying a hell of a lot of money for a brand new boat, so to put on a small fender that doesn’t really do the job for the sake of a medium one. I would be asking the builder to replace, instead of doing their job and buying one myself.

Edited September 14, 2023 by BoatinglifeupNorth

[ditchcrawler]

But what about when you fit a new rudder when you find that short one doesn't work? 😍

[Tonka]

Just now, BoatinglifeupNorth said:

Why not just ask the builders to source you one and put it on, after all your paying a hell if a lot if money for a brand new boat, so to put on a small fender that doesn’t really do the job for the sake of a medium one. I would be asking the builder to replace, instead of doing their job and buying one myself.

Either way he pays for it

[MtB]

4 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

But what about when you fit a new rudder when you find that short one doesn't work? 😍

 

 

And in the meantime if Ian thumps something in astern at any sort of speed, the impact is likely to compress the button by 3" or 4".

[BoatinglifeupNorth]

2 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Either way he pays for it

 He would of paid for fenders in the price, so shouldn’t have to pay for another because the builder has fitted a fender basically “not fit for purpose” when it comes to protecting the rudder.

[MtB]

Just now, BoatinglifeupNorth said:

 He would of paid for fenders in the price, so shouldn’t have to pay for another because the builder has fitted a fender basically “not fit for purpose” when it comes to protecting the rudder.

 

 

Should ask the builder to fit it at the correct height too. Down there looks plain silly!! 

 

 

[BoatinglifeupNorth]

6 minutes ago, MtB said:

 

 

And in the meantime if Ian thumps something in astern at any sort of speed, the impact is likely to compress the button by 3" or 4".

If thats a short 8”, maybe he would be better off with a long 15/16” instead of a medium 12” to be on the safe side, taking in impact compression?

Edited September 14, 2023 by BoatinglifeupNorth

[IanD]

34 minutes ago, BoatinglifeupNorth said:

Why not just ask the builder to source you one and put it on, after all your paying a hell of a lot of money for a brand new boat, so to put on a small fender that doesn’t really do the job for the sake of a medium one. I would be asking the builder to replace, instead of doing their job and buying one myself.

You mean you don't think I've done that?

 

Ricky put the short one on because I asked him to because I thought a long one would be too long. The only other size he can find is the long one, and after looking everywhere I agree with him -- which is why I asked if anyone on CWDF knew of any, but it seems not... 😞

 

So I'll get him to swap it for a long one, because I can't wait months for a custom one from Tradline -- assuming they can make one.

21 minutes ago, BoatinglifeupNorth said:

If thats a short 8”, maybe he would be better off with a long 15/16” instead of a medium 12” to be on the safe side, taking in impact compression?

 

I was allowing for it going squish. Looks like a long one is the only realistic option...

Edited September 14, 2023 by IanD

[dave moore]

It may well sag…tipcat(s) and button a much better option.

[Tonka]

Tipcats & button looks like a proper boat where as button does not

[IanD]

4 minutes ago, dave moore said:

It may well sag…tipcat(s) and button a much better option.

 

I don't think it's likely to sag or rotate, being attached by four chains not two -- the middle ones go to the top and the outer ones to the sides, like this short one.

 

I've had a long stern button attached by only two chains rotate round when it rubbed up a gate and end up vertically, it was a pig to get back again... 😞

 

Just now, Tonka said:

Tipcats & button looks like a proper boat where as button does not

 

If I wanted to look like a "proper boat" I'd have loads of rivets, an engine room, a roof-full of wood, and a waistcoat/neckerchief/flat cap. I don't, so I don't care... 😉

[Tonka]

1 minute ago, IanD said:

 

I don't think it's likely to sag or rotate, being attached by four chains not two -- the middle ones go to the top and the outer ones to the sides, like this short one.

 

I've had a long stern button attached by only two chains rotate round when it rubbed up a gate and end up vertically, it was a pig to get back again... 😞

 

Sacrificial link ?

[IanD]

1 minute ago, Tonka said:

Sacrificial link ?

Inside the plastic covers...

[BoatinglifeupNorth]

12 minutes ago, IanD said:

waistcoat/neckerchief/flat cap. I don't, 

 

Well only when playing the melodeon with the Morris’s

 Glad to see she’s out of the shed, is she in the water? Any space? Hopefully you’ll get some runs in🤞

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

32 minutes ago, IanD said:

 

I don't care... 😉

obviously 🙄 

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Goliath