Plastic 2x4 board for lashing jugs

[jordanbigel]

Back in the day I had a pair of 6 foot long white, plastic 2x4s. I drilled holes in them and used u-bolts to secure them to the stations. Then I lashed things to the boards like spare fuel jugs, fenders, etc.

Eventually I removed them and stored them somewhere and they got lost. Now I would like to replace them, but I cant figure out what kind of plastic they were made of.

They were white, the same size as a 2x4 -- it might have been UHMW, but I cant find any UHMW at McMaster which is 2"x4".

What kind of plastic should I use for this purpose? Something with good UV protection would be nice so it lasts. Something which is easily obtainable in this size?

Grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks.

[sagablu]

Go to any large home improvement store, what you're looking for is called Azek. It's used for exterior trim, the stuff is strong and relatively indestructible.

[chris mac]

Originally Posted by sagablu

Go to any large home improvement store, what you're looking for is called Azek. It's used for exterior trim, the stuff is strong and relatively indestructible.

It is a good light weight product. A knock off brand called guardian is very similar. However it is fairly weak and compressible. It will wear from abrasion quickly.(I owned a siding company and installed it for years)
for better durability and life expectancy I would suggest any of the solid core vinyl decking products. Trex is the big boy in the market, but there are many others.
Of course the common, although expensive, choice with many boats is starboard. Extremely strong and durable.

[Don C L]

I've been using Trex for some other projects and it does seem to hold up to UV ok, but a long piece may warp a bit in the sun. It tends to want to expand. It is kind of heavy too compared to wood, but that may not be an issue.

[WoodenKetch]

How about a length of stainless tubing that matches your stanchions? Many plastics do not do well in the sun and 2x4 is a huge chunk of plastic.

A 1x4 bit of hardwood would look nice and be easy to maintain with a coat of teak oil wiped on each year, or just let it go silver.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by WoodenKetch

How about a length of stainless tubing that matches your stanchions? Many plastics do not do well in the sun and 2x4 is a huge chunk of plastic.

A 1x4 bit of hardwood would look nice and be easy to maintain with a coat of teak oil wiped on each year, or just let it go silver.

Or one could be entirely practical and use a 6x2 piece of treated pine, set up as a fender board, lash it to the stauncheons and lash jugs to it. One item, two purposes.

[thomm225]

The PO of my boat used a piece of wood. He had even varnished it.

I haven't varnished it, but it's still mounted onboard since I bought the boat in 2011.

[Clivevon]

Instead of that why not use a strong timber board say 2" x 8" x 6 or 7 feet long? You could use that for your jugs but it could also be used as a gangplank & as a fender board. Mine has timber battens screwed across it to give a good foothold - it lives on the guardwires tucked back into the pushpit. I forget its there - except when I need it.
Dont use plastic - it isnt strong enough as a gangplank.
We used the gangplank in the Med when berthing bows or stern to on the concrete docks (no tides there). It allowed us to be an extra couple of feet off the dock to avoid damage from being blown on by strong winds.
We use the fender board when coming alongside a rough stone harbour wall or one with protruding piles where fenders alone wont work- the board goes against the wall outside the fenders - the battens help to stop the fenders rolling out from behind the board.
And - you could use it to lash jugs too as well - 3 for 1.

[bailsout]

Say “no” to plastic. There is enough on your boat already.

[facciatosta]

I used 2" PVC pipe ( maybe 1.5" or whatever size is suitable for your boat) from Home Depot. Drilled holes as needed and tied to stations using the rope. Once you tie fuel jugs to it it is not going anywhere. Light and flexible. May not look nice but functional.

[Scubaseas]

X2 on Azek or any other PVC board. Stiffer than Starboard or UHMWPE.

[skipgundlach]

Our solution was decking 1(5/4)x6, with two Ubolts each side.

Comfortably fit 5 standard (not short squat) jerry cans between our stanchions (just enough length to securely bolt).

Slots to allow strapping, with snap clips (like on a waterski jacket) and a single screw per strap on the reverse (with fender washer to spread the load for strap life).

The first several pictures here show how we did it:

http://skip.justpickone.org/gallery/...Stuff&start=91

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by skipgundlach

Our solution was decking 1(5/4)x6, with two Ubolts each side.

Comfortably fit 5 standard (not short squat) jerry cans between our stanchions (just enough length to securely bolt).

Slots to allow strapping, with snap clips (like on a waterski jacket) and a single screw per strap on the reverse (with fender washer to spread the load for strap life).

Sorry I can't find my gallery of that project at the moment...

Found it:
http://skip.justpickone.org/gallery/...Stuff&start=91

[jhulmer]

Take a look at this product on McMaster - they have White, Brown, Gray, & Black HPDE Synthetic wood - I bought a sample piece in the brown. I think it will work well for this and a fender board.


https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/127/3959/




PS: I have not had good results with UHMW in UV - it will crack and fall apart in about a year.

[Hudson Force]

I would consider the double function of having the lashing board made up as a fender board as well. When you find yourself at a rough dock or a cement quay you'll have protection for your hull and underway it's inside your rails for lashing your jugs. A strong wood board with a few stainless strakes for dockside is what I kept.