protective cover

[603doug]

I've searched for the best cover for the tubes, but after searching 25 pages figured asking was easier. We have been diving between snow storms here in new england and i want to protect the tubes as we sit on them and slide off.

Happy Easter
hope to blow bubbles tomorrow with the easter bunny.

thanks

[603doug]

reread my post and sound like i wanted to protect the whole tube. i just want to protect the area we sit on as we slide off, so not wear the tube. Some material i know might be as abrasive. Thought of a truck flap tied to the life line, but flap is a harder mat.

[jyasaki]

Hmmm. I thought you meant glue-on (well, in truth, I thought you meant storing at first, then glue-on.)

I suppose that something like a sheet of EPDM could be anchored inside, draped over, and bottom weighted enough to stay in place while getting back in.

Never really worried about it while diving off my boats; as far as I can tell, the only places where any damage was even visible was where someone dragged a rig back in on a sharp edge.

jky

[matt h]

in uk, company called chiorino,,, Coated fabrics for rib tubes, overcladding in Hypalon,www.chiorinocoatedfabrics.co.uk hope that helps

[Stoo]

What are you wearing on your butt that you are concerned about damaging the tubes? I've been diving out of Zodiacs for 25 years and never had any issues that way.

If you do have concerns, you could pick up a small biece of remnant carpet and flop it over when required. You can often get these for next to nothing.

S

[columbiachop]

i've been in need of a similar cover for bringing these beasts up to the side of the boat. they have good sized spikes on there backs and sides and reach 20ft long in the columbia river.

the best i could come up with is one of those door mats that grocery stores keep out front with rubber on one side and short pile carpet on the other. connect it to the floor and flop it over the side when needed.

might work.

[603doug]

This is my 1st rib and i want to be sure i do not screw it up. Been diving for 25 years and sometimes we has reels, extra tanks, and other crap, going overboard i have seen nitwits drag their gear across the fiberglass on a friend boat and you want to cut their air off and that is his boat. On mine i might tie an anchor to their ass and use them for bait. Just kidding hard to find divers in the winter (extended winter season this year) that want to go out so if i "cover all my bases" i will not always have to dive alone

[smithy]

Is this what you mean? I glued this piece of hypalon on recently after noticing some nasty jubilee clips sticking out from some peoples dive gear. Under normal circumstances the tubes hold up well on their own, after 14 years of diving the tubes had very little wear.