Petrel
Member
I've read the discussions about how to travel with spars. My husband ties our to the roof rack, but I will be going solo sometimes and I don't want to have to get the step and hoist them up.
I looked at those photos of the Plumbing tubes, but don't see them fitting under or alongside any trailer I've got. I've seen some with louvre vents on each endcap. Apparently 8" diameter is the preferred, but they look clunky. In the UK there are various vender selling essentially this PVC like stuff but with a proprietary name if not design.
I think I'd like something I can secure in my car or wagon when I'm not around.
The spars are usually along the axis of the SF after I come in from sailing and I'd like to find a way to leave them there. I separate the sail from the tubes (I don't wrap the sail arond the tubes), then I use Canopy Ties (those bungie things with the plastic knobs) to secure the gathered sail to the booms.
I'm thinking I could either use a couple of square seat/life cushions or some bonded mega pool noodles or canoe foam blocks to cushion the spars from the deck and the splash guard/coaming. I guess that would work, but perhaps there is a reason why some of you go for the spar bags. Is this to protect the sails and spars from rain, highway debris and soil or to protect them from flying tar balls?
The prices and designs for the spar bags vary --- $48 to perhaps $60. Some open with a zipper, some are just tubes. Most have handles. None of the specs seem to indiceate if the case is padded or even lined (wouldn't that be nice to have?). Some are made of nylon (nylon if not protected is prone to UV damage, isn't it); some are made of other material.
I could probably fashion some sleeves/spar bags myself (I've got as many sewing machines as boats -- you don't want to know). Canvas? Feed bags? I will store the sails inside so I don't think UV damage will be an issue.
Anyone ever make their own? Economically? I could save on yardage requirements by patching 54" lengths together, but would have to make French or felled seams to have them lie flat and not catch the spars.
Anyone know what adhesive to use for gluing pool noodles together? (I'd glue a section of three together, pyramid like with the top tube in the center, solo. All same length. Then I could scoop out a bit of a groove in the topmost to craddle the spars a tad. I think someone must already sell this sort of thing?
Thanks
I looked at those photos of the Plumbing tubes, but don't see them fitting under or alongside any trailer I've got. I've seen some with louvre vents on each endcap. Apparently 8" diameter is the preferred, but they look clunky. In the UK there are various vender selling essentially this PVC like stuff but with a proprietary name if not design.
I think I'd like something I can secure in my car or wagon when I'm not around.
The spars are usually along the axis of the SF after I come in from sailing and I'd like to find a way to leave them there. I separate the sail from the tubes (I don't wrap the sail arond the tubes), then I use Canopy Ties (those bungie things with the plastic knobs) to secure the gathered sail to the booms.
I'm thinking I could either use a couple of square seat/life cushions or some bonded mega pool noodles or canoe foam blocks to cushion the spars from the deck and the splash guard/coaming. I guess that would work, but perhaps there is a reason why some of you go for the spar bags. Is this to protect the sails and spars from rain, highway debris and soil or to protect them from flying tar balls?
The prices and designs for the spar bags vary --- $48 to perhaps $60. Some open with a zipper, some are just tubes. Most have handles. None of the specs seem to indiceate if the case is padded or even lined (wouldn't that be nice to have?). Some are made of nylon (nylon if not protected is prone to UV damage, isn't it); some are made of other material.
I could probably fashion some sleeves/spar bags myself (I've got as many sewing machines as boats -- you don't want to know). Canvas? Feed bags? I will store the sails inside so I don't think UV damage will be an issue.
Anyone ever make their own? Economically? I could save on yardage requirements by patching 54" lengths together, but would have to make French or felled seams to have them lie flat and not catch the spars.
Anyone know what adhesive to use for gluing pool noodles together? (I'd glue a section of three together, pyramid like with the top tube in the center, solo. All same length. Then I could scoop out a bit of a groove in the topmost to craddle the spars a tad. I think someone must already sell this sort of thing?
Thanks
