Gunnel protection

I know there was some mention of this some time ago, but I don't know what terms to "search". What was the material that folks were putting down on their boats to protect the gunnels in the area of the footwells from getting paddle dings?

Submitted by drewp on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 7:11am



I found this clear nonslip take at Ace Hardware sold by the foot. The trick is to not stretch it when you put it on. It isn't abrasive like the black non slip. If you can't find it at a place on OAhu like Hardware HAwaii let me know. At Ace it is located near the surcical tubing, bungee cord etc. Stuff works great.


#1 Mon, 08/22/2011 - 7:50am


http://www.ocpaddler.com/forum/2011/tape_prevent_scuffs

You can also checkout the railsaver tape that SUP board surfers/paddlers put on. There's two types out there, the cheap textured one that turns yellowish from the sun which is easy to find at most shops that sell SUP accessories. The other is the more expensive non-textured clear one that doesn't change color and is almost as thick as the black PVC Pipewrap tape. I've only seen the clear one at Tropical Blends on South Queen Street.

I know Go Banana's in Aiea and Kapahulu has this product from T&T Tinting Specialists that is similar to the 3M paint protection tape called Crystal Rails. It goes on clear and virtually invisible. Doesn't have the excess glue leaking out the side that is common with other tapes.

http://tnttinting.com/node/1269/print

If you're not on Oahu, you might want to call or check your local auto tinting shops for the 3M paint protection tape/film or something similar to use.


#2 Mon, 08/22/2011 - 9:21am


3m polyurethane Helicopter blade tape..... rugged, clear, wide enough to wrap right over the gunnel.... I just tried it recently and it works well.


#3 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 7:19am


Rail Saver Tape is $60 for a 6.5 foot roll plus shipping. Paddlefast's tape at Ace Hardware (in the Marine Section) is about $4/foot. I would go with the tape from Ace Hardware. If you don't strech it when you apply it, the adhesive on back of the tape won't leave it's residue as the tape stretches back to it's original size. If there is residue, just put some adhesive remover like Goof-off on a rag and wipe it off.


#4 Fri, 08/26/2011 - 9:16am


I ordered the 3m helicopter blade tape (fortunately not a lot of it). After all, I thought..if it is used on helicopter blades...it will surely stand up to a dunking now and then. After ordering it...I noticed that on the 3m website and elsewhere that it's rated for "Indoor" applications??? I didn't know that too many helicopters flew indoors. J. Paddle, did you use it as directed w/ the adhesive applied to it? Has it begun to come off anywhere? I don't want to have to clean off a gunky residue on my new canoe from a crappy product. I may just get some of the SUP tapes that others recommend. BTW, I'm on the mainland and most of my local Ace stores don't have a marine section.


#5 Sat, 08/27/2011 - 12:01pm


I bought a roll of Scotchgard 3M Paint Protection Film from Amazon.com. Roll is 84" x 4". I cut it into three 28' lengths.

To apply it you mix Johnson's Baby Shampoo and hot water in an atomizer (clear spray bottle from drugstore). The spray bottle took about 9 oz. of water. Before you put water in, you pour just enough baby shampoo into the spray bottle to cover its bottom. Shake it into a consistent solution.

Offset mark-off with a china pencil where you're going to put the film strips, Then spray each place your going to cover with the soapy water. Back and forth lightly, no need to drip. One length at a time peel away the backing and spray the sticky side and the smooth side with soapy water. One length went on right side of front end of cockpit just below the bungie lines and one lenght went on the left side of the cockpit just below the bungie lines. The third length went on the inside of the ama where I normally hit it when I rig aggressively. After you put each length in place smooth it down with a squeegee. I think the soapy water makes the lengths' sticky side glide easily around where you want to place them and the soapy water on the non-sticky side makes the squeegee slide around without creating wrinkles.

The directions say don't wash your car for 24 hours (the film is designed for cars). I figure that means not to paddle you newly "filmed" boat for 24 hours.

I'll tell you if it really works in a few days. Right now I can't find my sledge hammer and the 24 hours haven't passed yet.


#6 Sat, 09/03/2011 - 11:34am


There is outdoor rated helicopter tape too. This is what I used.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QC6H90/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_...

Mine came off with no issue.


#7 Sat, 09/03/2011 - 1:49pm


Please register or login to post a comment.

Page loaded in 0.193 seconds.