pipe for making pipe-fenders

[monobrow]

hi.

 

 

we'd like to make some pipe fenders (small piping hung over the side).

 

I know you can get these forn chandlers, but at £8-12 each, i'd rather go and buy a length of thick-walled, 2" - 3" diameter rubber pipe and make them myself.

 

the question is - where should i look for thick-walled, 2" -3" (ish) diameter rubber pipe ?

 

any help welcome.. thanks

Edited September 21, 2009 by monobrow

[Chertsey]

OK, let me be the first to ask.

Why do you want these?

See other fender threads ad nauseum... especially this recent one.

 

There's no advantage to having thin fenders unless you're planning to leave them on while cruising and in locks etc. This is bad and potentially dangerous practice. It's the job of rubbing strakes to protect the hull in these situations. The only real use for fenders on a narrowboat is to prevent the boat banging and scraping on concrete or piling and keeping you awake at night, and for that something more substantial works better.

[sueb]

They look silly and serve no useful purpose. Why do you want to look like an ignorant newby?

S

[Chertsey]

Blimey, and I thought I might be being a bit hard on him.

[RLWP]

Blimey, and I thought I might be being a bit hard on him.

 

Especially as I have found the best fenders for us are indeed the rubber tube type ones. I don't think the OP said he was going to cruise with them on.

 

I don't know where you will find that tubing. It isn't ordinary rubber pipe.

 

Richard

[paulcatchpole]

Especially as I have found the best fenders for us are indeed the rubber tube type ones. I don't think the OP said he was going to cruise with them on.

 

I don't know where you will find that tubing. It isn't ordinary rubber pipe.

 

Richard

 

They certainly work fine for us when we moor up...

 

PC

[sueb]

We like the squishy rope knotted fenders for mooring. They match the front and rear fenders and sit nicely on the roof when we are moving.

As you can tell I don't like pipe fenders

Sue

[DHutch]

To be honest, we have a set of them on the boat, which is basically all we use.

- Most of the time we're 3ft out and sat on the bottom anyway, but if we are against a bank they seam to work well enough and can also be used below water as they dont float.

 

The inflatable ones are ok, but the cost a fair bit, get poped and dirty and end up useless. Rope fenders are even more money, wear out, and then fall apart or get nicked. What are rubbing strakes for anyway?

 

 

Daniel

[Big Steve]

Alkathene pipe AKA MDPE, comes in blue , black and yellow. Find a town having new gas or water pipes installed, there will be loads of offcuts 50-60mm diameter. ASK though.

 

I've got a stack of 60mm in bright blue if you're interested and near South Yorks. I'm sure I could spare a bit.

[Lady Muck]

Where are you based? We've a full set in the locker that have been sat there since we bought the boat. Him indoors (AKA Packrat) has finally agreed we really don't need them and can give them away.

[DHutch]

Alkathene pipe AKA MDPE, comes in blue , black and yellow. Find a town having new gas or water pipes installed, there will be loads of offcuts 50-60mm diameter. ASK though.

 

I've got a stack of 60mm in bright blue if you're interested and near South Yorks. I'm sure I could spare a bit.

I think the op is refering to the rubber type like this

 

 

Although if your really worried about uneven edges maybe somthing like this is more suitable.

 

 

Daniel

[RLWP]

I think the op is refering to the rubber type like this

 

Daniel

 

Those are the best source of the rubber tube for fenders I have found. The tube is excellent but the rope is appalling! Half an hour with a bit of rope, a swedish fid and some whipping and you have yourself a nice fender.

 

Richard

[blackrose]

If you google Walker Rubber & Plastic you will find a supplier of extruded rubber pipe to your specification who doesn't insist on a minimum order quantity. Ask about stock sizes (OD & ID in mm) first as this will be cheaper. They will cut to any length you want. You will have to cut the rope and put it through yourself.

 

They look silly and serve no useful purpose. Why do you want to look like an ignorant newby?

S

 

Some people are so quick to be judgemental! I guess they just can't help themselves.

Edited September 22, 2009 by blackrose

[NB Willawaw]

Where did you see my boat ?

 

Clicky

 

 

Although if your really worried about uneven edges maybe somthing like this is more suitable.

 

 

Daniel

Edited September 22, 2009 by NB Willawaw

[Speedwell]

I find plastic waste pipe from B&Q, Wickes or similar ideal, small diameter inside larger diameter. They're easy to stow, cheap, expendable and roll on the boat side so as not to make those half moon scuff marks that the rope ones make.

Arthur

[madcat]

Floating in the cut,chucked in a skip or dumped on the "not sure what to do with this stuff"at some works or other.All mine came from these sources and they are used when moored in the line up at Hawne or when moored alongside some other boat.The rope they hang on,various garish colours, all found as well.No exspense spared ,none whatsoever !!!!!