Dinghy Chaps

[feebs]

Am in the process of making a set of dinghy chaps for my new Hypalon RIB. Just looking for the preferred method/product of attaching Velcro to the Hypalon.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Pelagic]

I use Velcro on the Sunbrella Chaps and it has lasted for years.
Stop just above the rub rail as you can see in the photo

[feebs]

Thanks for that info. How did you attach Velcro to RIB?

[JPA Cate]

feebs, it's a major aggro. I would use SC 4000, sold by Rewa Tip Top: it is conveyor belt adhesive, replaces SC 2000, which we could use for under water patches on hypalon. However, using it on velcro is a major pita, and when you disinflate the dinghy with the chaps on, it is liable to try and peel up and separate from the velcro, leaving the glue on the dinghy, and you with ugly velcro that will need a new application next time.

We have a similar problem with our chaps and the PVC tubes, and the fancy glue we bought to use. We don't take the chaps off at all, which as made them dirt collectors, which is also not optimal, imo. In our case, the chaps were intended to protect the PVC from UV exposure: they've done okay on that.

Good luck with it.

Ann

an afterthought: If you get some 3 M reflective tape, placing some on the sides, forward near the bow and aft near the aft handle, makes the dinghy show up very well by torch or flashlight, at night, and is really easy to add in the construction phase of the chaps.

[Northbound44]

The best way is sewing the Velcro to an hypalon patch and gluing it to the dingy.

[JPA Cate]

Thank you for that, Northbound 44.

That method will work with hypalon. It hasn't worked so well on the PVC, but with hypalon and SC 4000, it should do a fine job. From your stock of hypalon for patches, create a pair of strips the length you will need, then sew the velcro to one side of the strip, put the coats of glue on the other, then stick it down where you want it. Trial fit the chaps, and adjust the bottom as needed so that you get a good fit on the glued-on strip.

Ann

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Northbound44

The best way is sewing the Velcro to an hypalon patch and gluing it to the dingy.

Why not just glue on a hypalon patch with a ring and use a draw string. No velcro to wear out.

[JPA Cate]

Wanting to keep the sides of the fabric tight on the chaps. It's not a dinghy cover, per se, it's tube covers for UV protection.

A.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Wanting to keep the sides of the fabric tight on the chaps. It's not a dinghy cover, per se, it's tube covers for UV protection.

A.

That's what we do on our chaps. A draw string under the rub rail with some additional rings near the bow to keep it tight.

[steamgoat]

I just made chaps for mine ,”snads” from sailrite are great for attaching .Also you can watch the sailrite video on making chaps.

[JPA Cate]

@ PaulL, Thank you for that, now I understand better. It seems a good way to get the rub strake covered, not sure if that's what I want, but maybe you can tell me the upsides of that? Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by steamgoat

I just made chaps for mine ,”snads” from sailrite are great for attaching .Also you can watch the sailrite video on making chaps.

That's an interesting method, too. Did you adhere them to PVC or hypalon? What glue did you use? How long has it lasted?

As to the underlined portion, I wish I had watched the video before we did our project: would have been easier, that's for sure. So soon we get old, so slow we get smart!

Ann

[cyan]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

I use Velcro on the Sunbrella Chaps and it has lasted for years.
Stop just above the rub rail as you can see in the photo
Attachment 166798

I think I've been on that beach. El Nido?

[mikedefieslife]

Isn’t the whole point of hypalon is that it doesn’t need the protection that pvc does as its many times more resistant to uv? A decent hypalon dinghy will last well over 15 years. Which is good since Dupont no longer make the material. Chaps could be considered mere decoration for it unless its regularly getting scratched and whatnot.

[Sulaire]

Just finished doing this on our new rib, sewed heavy duty velcro in 1” wide strips to same width vinyl, then stuck these strips to the dinghy above the rubbing rail using HH-66 adhesive which has worked well for me doing a similar project before. Considered the draw string method, but figured covering the rub rail would eventually lead to the cover getting worn through?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by cyan

I think I've been on that beach. El Nido?

No, this is a little known hideaway on NW Coast of Tablas Island.
Generally only accessible during the light wind transition period of May, it is easily missed, but just beautiful!