crashtack 334 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Both carpet and plastic coverings have trapped water between the hull and hull supports on my trailer in the past, causing damage to the paint and gelcoat. I'm considering buying either artificial grass or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) foam - can anyone provide some insight as to which is superior in this case? Or should I get something else entirely? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
voodoochile 41 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Try over in Fix It anarchy. We use a 1", 12x12" closed cell on our trailer jacks, but I don't recall the supplier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Not the fake Quattro 10 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Raptor deck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Q 787 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 I don't think there's anything that won't trap some water. Previously I used carpet which held quite a lot of water. On mine I've now used polyethylene foam, mostly because I can now get 10 inch square, 1.5 inch thick pieces of the foam, which are scrap push outs from test equipment packaging. Ok it doesn't hold water inside itself, but there was a film of water between foam and hull this morning when I wound two pads down this morning to paint those pieces of hull. We did have 12 hours of heavy rain yesterday. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crashtack 334 Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 Thoughts on something like dimpled pvc car floor protectors to reduce contact area? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slug zitski 576 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 If you use a hard foam the cradle must be a perfectly molded match the hull or you concentrate the load on the hard spots seams that medium density ensolite type foam about 12mm thick is a common choice Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VWAP 1,099 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 https://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/CE-Smith/CE11349.html drill holes in the bunk boards to help dry out. Works on the Starboat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CriticalPath 165 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Our C&C 35's cradle pads have ribbed rubber floor runners cut to size for protection, and The Shark trailer bunks are clad with scraps of shrinkwrap film over carpet. Both boats have race prepped finishes (the 35's VC17 over InterProtect 2000e and the Shark's VC17 over VC Performance Epoxy), and neither have exhibited any damage from trapped moisture. Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bowchow 14 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 https://www.harborfreight.com/anti-fatigue-roll-mat-61241.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HypnoToad 75 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 Some types of artificial grass are very abrasive. We used some on a Melges 24 trailer. It's windy all the time here. The boat tends to wiggle around a bit. The artificial turf rubbed through the gelcoat. No bueno. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 3,932 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Multiple layers of outdoor carpet seems to wick out the moisture pretty well. i am referring to the stuff that looks like a very fine Scotch Brite Pad. the variety with ribs works a little better. lots of compressive wright on the carpet pile defeats it’s purpose why: Years ago, I swear that variety was sold as polypropylene carpet. I started using it because wicking clothing for hikers was made with polypropylene. no matter what, it dries out WAY better than scraps cut from high pile indoor carpet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Varan 2,135 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Hydroturf diamond pattern. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patrese 17 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 rubber spaghetti mat https://www.google.com/search?q=rubber+spaghetti+mat&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1CHBD_deDE931DE932&sxsrf=AOaemvJ81kyYcYMbEMFsaxN9S9RN5mEuEA%3A1641893738406&ei=ak_dYauYGPaLxc8P8ZCo6A8&oq=rubber+spaghetti&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIECAAQEzIGCAAQHhATMgYIABAeEBMyCAgAEAgQHhATMggIABAIEB4QEzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCC4QsQMQDToECAAQDToGCAAQBxAeOggIABAHEB4QE0oFCDwSATJKBAhBGABKBAhGGABQ6AhY7RZgiyZoAnACeACAAW-IAZUFkgEDNi4xmAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz No water ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Irrational 14 416 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 ^^^ THIS. Spaghetti mat is the best for this purpose. You want some air circulation. EVA and other foams can still trap water. Raised pattern is better but can still blister your hull. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
inneedofadvice 235 Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Boats sit in water all the time. Why is this an issue? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crashtack 334 Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 14 hours ago, patrese said: rubber spaghetti mat https://www.google.com/search?q=rubber+spaghetti+mat&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1CHBD_deDE931DE932&sxsrf=AOaemvJ81kyYcYMbEMFsaxN9S9RN5mEuEA%3A1641893738406&ei=ak_dYauYGPaLxc8P8ZCo6A8&oq=rubber+spaghetti&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIECAAQEzIGCAAQHhATMgYIABAeEBMyCAgAEAgQHhATMggIABAIEB4QEzoHCAAQRxCwAzoHCC4QsQMQDToECAAQDToGCAAQBxAeOggIABAHEB4QE0oFCDwSATJKBAhBGABKBAhGGABQ6AhY7RZgiyZoAnACeACAAW-IAZUFkgEDNi4xmAEAoAEByAEIwAEB&sclient=gws-wiz No water ! Rubber tends to stain though... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gouvernail 3,932 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 3 hours ago, inneedofadvice said: Boats sit in water all the time. Why is this an issue? It started when somebody asked this fella to identify himself. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnotherSailor 450 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 On 1/9/2022 at 11:12 AM, Bowchow said: https://www.harborfreight.com/anti-fatigue-roll-mat-61241.html smart, that will guarantee the boat is well rested! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnotherSailor 450 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 7 hours ago, inneedofadvice said: Boats sit in water all the time. Why is this an issue? Some, not all. Gelcoat does not like to sit in water. Plus it is not just sitting in water: the weight of the boat is pushing it against the water Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinacious Tom 1,926 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Bunk slicks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bowchow 14 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 9 hours ago, AnotherSailor said: smart, that will guarantee the boat is well rested! HA! Laughed at that one I had the spaghetti mat on my star, and where she was sitting on the pads she formed blisters from the stuff. I've had no issues after switching to the floor mat. With the weight of the boat, the spaghetti compresses and is basically flat. This allow moisture to stay inside of the little holes caused by the materials, with no way out. I;ve found that the mat actually "wicks" most of the moisture away. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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