Painting a bargepole

[Ricco1]

I thought I'd better paint my 2 year old pine bargepole before it starts rotting away. I've started with 2 coats of primer and one undercoat, it's now time to think about the top layer. My boat is green and red with white stripes, I have supplies of all 3 colours. Rather than just painting it one colour I thought I made spend a bit of time making it look nicer, by using all 3 colours.

 

I've seen one or two done with some kind of spiral design but I've no idea where to start with that. Otherwise I was thinking of painting the whole thing one colour then overpainting sections in the other colours, using low tack masking tape.

 

Any hints or tips?

 

Thanks.

 

 

[by'eck]

Just wacked some Sadolin woodstain/preservative on mine. If you use them as I do any paintwork would soon get scratched.

[dave moore]

If you want to twist paint your shaft, PM me for a phone number and I'll explain how I go about it. I've developed a straightforward method that non specialists could use.

 

Dave

[dogless]

I would take up Mr Moore's kind offer, after all he's a pro.

 

Being a ham-fisted amateur, having undercoated like you, I section the pole into 3ft lengths and painted alternate colours.

(This means you can use the pole for checking depth should you wish)

 

I then used 'gripper tape' to cover the joins, making use of the pole a little easier.

 

Mind you, mine is getting ready to be repainted this summer.

 

Rog

[bag 'o' bones]

Its always been recommended that you should never paint a hammer stale as it makes easier to check for dangerous cracks.

 

Considering the forces that are placed on a boat pole perhaps a similar no paint policy should also apply?

 

Many years ago I replaced the hammer stales on a couple of railway key hammers. Instead of painting the whole shaft, I treated them with oil to keep them supple. and painted the last couple inches of the stale with day-glo paint so that they could be seen easily amongst the rails.

 

Perhaps a similar approach might be suitable for a boat pole? Although day-glo might a bit much!

[AndrewIC]

I painted mine mainly in a single colour, with some wide ish contrasting rings so they can be used to estimate depth.

[FirstRateFirstMate]

We painted the ends, hold a brush steady and spin. That's what we did

 

[FadeToScarlet]

If the long shaft is too ornately painted, you'll be disinclined to use it!

 

My two (20' and 16' aluminium poles) are both painted plainly, so they can be used without worrying.

[ChimneyChain]

.

Edited April 23, 2016 by ChimneyChain

[The Toad in the Hole]

If the long shaft is too ornately painted, you'll be disinclined to use it!

 

 

I've always been convinced that these poles should come in a "in an emergency, break glass to open" type case on the roof of the boat - this would stop the hapless numpties balancing on the roof of their boat like The Great Valerio as their boat digs itself ever deeper into the mud whilst their engine threshes what little water is left under their transom like a piranha feeding frenzy

[David Mack]

If the long shaft is too ornately painted, you'll be disinclined to use it!

 

My two (20' and 16' aluminium poles) are both painted plainly, so they can be used without worrying.

 

Yes. Our wooden poles are just painted with red oxide gloss. Inevitably it wears off in use, particularly at the ends, but it just gets a quick rub down and repaint from time to time.

 

Of course you could go to the other extreme, like mark99:

 

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=60371&p=1511056

[LEO]

Might be worth contacting Mark99 wh0 hangs about on the forum.....he paints a mean pole ( and other Eastern Europeans) - make sure you have sunglasses at the ready though!!

[Dalesman]

Both my boat pole and boat hook are painted in the boats colours in 1 foot bands, handy for checking the depth.

 

Edited April 22, 2016 by Dalesman

[Ray T]

There is much guidance for painting a narrow boat here including how to "stripe" a pole or swans neck for that matter;

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/From-Stem-to-Stern-Hill-John-M-Paperback-Book-/272198719415?hash=item3f604ed7b7:g:FxoAAOSwZ8ZXAW88

 

He has also produced a version for leisure craft as well.

 

ETA to protect the ends of our pole I have "heat shrunk" some plastic water pipe on to it.

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2016 by Ray T

[Rob-M]

There is much guidance for painting a narrow boat here including how to "stripe" a pole or swans neck for that matter;

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/From-Stem-to-Stern-Hill-John-M-Paperback-Book-/272198719415?hash=item3f604ed7b7:g:FxoAAOSwZ8ZXAW88

 

He has also produced a version for leisure craft as well.

 

ETA to protect the ends of our pole I have "heat shrunk" some plastic water pipe on to it.

 

dscf5103b.jpg

 

How did you get away with using the ironing board, I know what my other half would say if she found a pole on the ironing board.

[Ray T]

How did you get away with using the ironing board, I know what my other half would say if she found a pole on the ironing board.

 

Well as Mrs T still works part time I am effectively a "house husband", so the ironing board is my domain!

 

Also she is a very understanding wife realising a (insert what ever boy's toy you want here) is never finished.

[AMModels]

Rob-M mentions a pole on an Ironing board and East Europe Lady is reading the thread?? Coinkidink?

[frygood]

whilst we are on the subject of barge poles,where is a good place to buy one from and what length do you recommend.

 

many thanks

[ChimneyChain]

whilst we are on the subject of barge poles,where is a good place to buy one from and what length do you recommend.

 

many thanks

 

Don't know about anyone else but all of my boats have had them but I've never had to use them ever.

 

Darren

[spadefoot]

Don't know about anyone else but all of my boats have had them but I've never had to use them ever.

 

Darren

I used mine today to wedge the lower lockgates open at Towney lock.

[David Mack]

whilst we are on the subject of barge poles,where is a good place to buy one from and what length do you recommend.

 

many thanks

 

Midland Chandlers have Ash boat poles 12 ft long. 14 ft or 16 ft is better, but I don't know anyone who can supply them.

 

http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/store/category/1543/product/e230.aspx

[Opener]

Just as a variation on a couple of the previous suggestions, check how deep your boat sits in the water. Just take one of those flexible tape measures and hook the end under the edge of the baseplate - that will tell you how much you draw. Check at bow and stern. Now paint a line at that measurement on both ends of your pole. Stick it in the water when you are deciding where to moor and you've got an instant assessment of whether the water is deep enough.

[br4k3s]

As posted earlier, Sadolin stain/preservative is what i use looks fine and wears better than paint, relatively easy to repaint if done each year. works for me

[dave moore]

Brinklow Boat Services and Rose Narrowboats both stock longer shafts than Midland Swindlers. I think 14' and 16' are available. Ours are 16', useful for manouvering in tight situations rather than the white water rafting, engine roaring, employed by some boaters. Barge poles my bottom....they are shafts!

 

Dave

[Ray T]

Brinklow Boat Services and Rose Narrowboats both stock longer shafts than Midland Swindlers. I think 14' and 16' are available. Ours are 16', useful for maneuvering in tight situations rather than the white water rafting, engine roaring, employed by some boaters. Barge poles my bottom....they are shafts!

 

Dave

 

I don't think I'd like a barge pole any where near my bottom either or be shafted for that matter.

Edited April 22, 2016 by Ray T