Bamboo Shroud Rollers

[Iron E]

I was considering making some Shroud Rollers. My friend has a small forest of Calcutta that I can make use of.

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on using bamboo as Shroud Rollers?

[ggray]

Is bamboo hollow through its length?

I thought each "section" had a "bulkhead" between it and the next section.

[Iron E]

Originally Posted by ggray

Is bamboo hollow through its length?

I thought each "section" had a "bulkhead" between it and the next section.

All true ggray.

But, even if I were to use another type of solid wood dowel, I would split the round with my band saw and router a 7/16 channel up the center. Same with the bamboo

[Don C L]

I have seen boats with 'em, back in the day. They seemed to work fine I guess, I never tried them myself.

[Iron E]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I have seen boats with 'em, back in the day. They seemed to work fine I guess, I never tried them myself.

Thanks, Don we're actually going for the "Back in the day" look.

I'll give it a shot, maybe do some curing and coating and see what kind of distance I can get out of them.

[Nekton73]

I use 1/2" pvc electrical conduit. Surprisingly it has gotten many complements (personally I think it looks ugly but it does what I need so I don't care).
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/car...rey/1000101192


Here's what bamboo looks like cut in half:
https://bambootoronto.ca/collections...f-round-bamboo

[Iron E]

Originally Posted by Nekton73

I use 1/2" pvc electrical conduit. Surprisingly it has gotten many complements (personally I think it looks ugly but it does what I need so I don't care).
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/car...rey/1000101192


Here's what bamboo looks like cut in half:
https://bambootoronto.ca/collections...f-round-bamboo

I've considered PVC. Our boat has A LOT of wood, and I just wanted to continue the theme. (Glutton for varnishment)

BTW, the Calcutta Bamboo has much thicker walls and is sometimes almost solid.
It looks more like this:

[JPA Cate]

I like your "glutton for varnishment" quip.

We had turnbuckle covers for a while, but, eventually decided we like to see the turnbuckles all the time, not just for checking all is copacetic.

Some people use tiny screws and nuts, rather than cotter pins. I don't trust the ring type pins, too easy to snag and come out.

Ann

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Iron E

I've considered PVC. Our boat has A LOT of wood, and I just wanted to continue the theme. (Glutton for varnishment)

BTW, the Calcutta Bamboo has much thicker walls and is sometimes almost solid.
It looks more like this:

Interesting...the range of bamboo varities is amazing...

[Iron E]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

I like your "glutton for varnishment" quip.

We had turnbuckle covers for a while, but, eventually decided we like to see the turnbuckles all the time, not just for checking all is copacetic.

Some people use tiny screws and nuts, rather than cotter pins. I don't trust the ring type pins, too easy to snag and come out.

Ann

I agree, always better to be able to see what's going on.

[Bowdrie]

Traditionally shroud rollers were made of Ash, and in times gone by were made/sold by Merriman.
I believe that Hinckley sold Bamboo shroud rollers at one time and offered them as an option on their boats.
They were more expensive than the Ash ones.

[SailingHarmonie]

I am not a fan of such things.

They trap dirt and salt, even with the best intentions of flushing out. They add very little actual chafe protection above the smooth surface of stainless steel wire. They are a hold over from the rough texture of galvanized rigging that was used back in the day. People decided that they looked salty, and those old boats MUST know what they are doing...

If you REALLY think you need chafe protection it is far better to apply it to the LINE not the shroud.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie

If you REALLY think you need chafe protection it is far better to apply it to the LINE not the shroud.

Hmm, I haven't seen covers for sheets yet. Is that a thing? Maybe I need to get out more.

[Jim Cate]

^^^^^

Don, look up Maxi-Jacket... it is one of several "good stuff in a jar" products which, when applied to modern cordage, greatly improve their chafe resistance.

Jim

[Bowdrie]

There is truth to the chafe that galvanized wire caused, and we do see pictures from the '50s into the '60s that show that shroud rollers were more prevalent then.
Another factor was that cotton was still widely used for sails and it's soft texture was easily damaged by chafe, also in that time frame the use of Manila line was still widespread.
Putting chafe protection on the wire?
Well, that probably goes back before the word "yacht" had been invented.
They called it "Baggywrinkle".