Chafing guard recommendations?

[voxxmd]

Just took over a 28' sailboat and we will be replacing all docking lines and anchor rode. Water can get quite bouncy at the marina where it's at, and we'll be adding rubber snubbers to our docking lines. That will help with the chafing we've seen on the existing lines, but I also want to put some chafing guards where the lines go over the toerail or through the bow fairleads. I've always heard to just use a piece of garden hose, but as I didn't have any spare hose, I stopped at the store. Then I thought - what's the best hose material? Rubber hose or vinyl hose? Then I started thinking about other "tubing" materials when I stopped at a Home Depot...clear vinyl, reinforced vinyl, rubber, polyethylene...even heater hose...

I imagine someone out there has experimented with different materials. Any observation or recommendation?

[captain58sailin]

I've always used old fire hose.

[zeehag]

old fire hose--cheap and works great..havent found anything better yet..and i have been looking....

[rebel heart]

I bought a huge chunk of leather for maybe $50. It's been quite durable and with a powerful sewing machine we've managed to make chafe guards. I bought the leather here:

Just Leather.Com

Some people warned me against using leather in the tropics but I haven't had any problems.

Edit:

Here's a blog post from my wife about the ones she made for us. Some of them have lasted for quite some time. Really depends on how much they're getting abused.

http://www.therebelheart.com/charlot...fe-guards.html

[zeehag]

leather is awesome in tropix---is easy to locate and easy to use and lasts long time--even the footwear here is real leather--because it lasts...\
so mebbe you listen to the wrong inaccurate souls....lol

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by zeehag

leather is awesome in tropix---is easy to locate and easy to use and lasts long time--even the footwear here is real leather--because it lasts...\
so mebbe you listen to the wrong inaccurate souls....lol

For $50 you can buy enough leather to make chafe guards for years of service. It's not really a consumable I find myself burning through.

[savoir]

Plastic tube also works at about 8 - 10". Put a small hole in the tube at one end and tie it to the dockline with some nylon string.

[JPA Cate]

Plus, if you dampen it, at anchor in vigorous conditions, the leather chafe-guard will help cool the anchor line.

Ann

[DumnMad]

So Zee, you've a locker full of old leather boots with the soles cut off?

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by DumnMad

So Zee, you've a locker full of old leather boots with the soles cut off?

i wish--i only have a little left from sailmaker and canvas touch ups on sails and boom tents etc....

boots--i am female--i wear not boots but birkenstocks....

i also use denim from old levis...works great and i dont wear em any more...too humid here for that

[bobconnie]

Gee Zee, No Daisy Dukes ??

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

Gee Zee, No Daisy Dukes ??

funny you should mention that--- back when i was young and hot.....
yes i was, so guys used to say--some still say ....

[Ocean Girl]

Anyone try cordura?

I want to make our own chafe gear. We have lots of fire hose, which is great for the big stuff, but takes up lots of room on the cleats. I found this cordura tubing that I think I could fabricate for extra chafe guards. Anyone try it?

[Cheechako]

clear plastic tube will work. Not that I like it that well but does get the job done. I would cut it a couple feet long. Works best for those lines you leave on the dock when you go out.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

Anyone try cordura?

I want to make our own chafe gear. We have lots of fire hose, which is great for the big stuff, but takes up lots of room on the cleats. I found this cordura tubing that I think I could fabricate for extra chafe guards. Anyone try it?

Relatively good chafe resistance; nice appearance when new; lousy UV resistance.

IMO, leather is best (buy seconds), and not hard to sew. Cut with wheel, or really good shears. [By the way, did you know you can get shears with teflon coated blades? WOW!]

In New Caledonia we saw a number of lines set up for cyclone season, using old zori (flip flops) on the cleats, between the line and the cleat. Looks a little odd, but seems to work and be frugal, tool

Ann