i sail 1m,s &rms both use bow bumpers to limit collision damage
i notice the ec12 does not use this device,any reason why ?

More skilled sailors sail 12's[:D][:D]

Chris
NZL1 Longtack
&
NZL110 Swept Away

lots of guys on the east coast use bow bumpers.

they are made of leather and are formed to the bow.....if you check out pics from the White Rose regatta i am sure you can see some

There out there, but I don't see them all that regularly here on the (South) East Coast, (NC/SC) Might be a good idea, but at least in my mind really spoil the aesthetics of the bow if added.

(P.S. Yachtie's explanation is much better than mine [:D][:D][:D])

Chris

If you dye them to the color of your hull you can't hardly tell they are there on the water.....they are formed to the bow so they take on the lines of the hull.

Save your bow and your buddies hull.

that is unless you are always in the front

Yeah, and that piece of leather is going to go right on through with a direct hit and make an even bigger hole.

RK

true, I'm not saying it will save the boats in all instances...... but it does ad a significant ammount of cushion ( perhaps a 1/4") as evidenced by some of them all smashed up and a significant amount of impact area contact, thus less force per sq/mm.

I have seen some heavy duty T----Bones in the past two years.....and never have their been any damage other than paint

Check the Ft.Lauderdale regatta pics to see how "skilled" Harry Strunk found Dudinsky's port mid-ships.

R.C.Greer

Short of sailing with an all foam boat, nothing will prevent damage from a "T Bone" in a breeze. But for a glancing blow without leaving a scratch many of us use the "Uncle Frank Special".

Frank Angel developed a very inexpensive, unobtrusive bow bumper made from the rubber bulb of a medicine dropper. Just cut it to fit (about half the length) slip it over the bow and run a very small screw through the top (into the deck) to hold it in place It can also be glued down with silicone, epoxy or CA but it is very easily pulled off without the screw. You will hardly notice it and your bow will survive several seasons without rebuild.

Pete[}:)]

I don't think were better skilled Chris, ask my new boat that got a hole poked through the bow on her maiden voyage.

I think bow bumpers should be compulsory. Im sure we would see a lot longer life out of our paint skin.

Phil[;)]

There is a good pic of the bumpers we use on Pauls Photo section from the 2002 Nationals.

Made of leather, can be matched to the Hull color and conform to the shape of the boat

The leather one works well, most of the time it will reduce damage to both boats.

I currently have a leather guard on my boat and not only does it look good but it is a very practical piece of equipment. A friend of mine has a EC12 with approx 3/4" cut off of the bow and then it was molded with a rubber paste which hardened like rubber and formed to follow the contour of the hull. When I first saw it I had to get down on my knees to see that it was an added piece to the boat and not part of the molded hull. It blends in perfectly and gives a lot more protection than my leather one does.

Scrapdog - That rubber bumper sure sounds like a great idea. But before I would want to alter my boat I would ask the class secretary for a ruling on it's legality. As the rules are now written, cutting, sawing and filling are not permitted except for fairing purposes. Please see class rule 3.3.

Personally, I would like to see such an interpretation as it would substantially reduce "bow on" damage.

Got any good ideas about side to side protection? I'm tired of having to repaint and polish because windward boats don't know the rules about keeping clear.

Good luck

Pete

Pete,

clear coating your paint job will help, but will add 2-3 ounces to hull weight. Won't stop them all... but it does offer some protection.