C-Dory boat towing protection - TransitShield

Casey

I have no connection with this company, but this looks like a potentially useful product: http://www.transitshield.com/sc/index.php

TransitShield is the plastic sheeting you often see on new cars, motorhomes, or boats being transported to dealerships. It comes in a 2' x 200' roll ($89.95), and is adhesive on one side. The material itself is 3mils thick (about like a medium/heavy grade garbage bag, I think). Check out the website for additional information.

While monitoring Jay and Jolee's recent trip to Skagway I was drawn to the stoneguard they fabricated to protect HunkyDory's bow for the trip North. Their rockguard certainly looks well done, but this might present another, somewhat easier alternative for long trips.

...and who knows, creative C-Brat's might come up with other novel uses as well.

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
...back in AZ (for now...)

ccflyer · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject:

Here are my thoughts -

Many of us can't help but getting anchor dings in the gelcoat when using the windless - got another one just this past weekend.

So would this stuff work if strategically placed on the bow. How does it adhere to the surface? Would it stick in a salt water environment? I didn't see answers to these questions on the web site.

And if yes to those questions, are there any Brats who'd want to go in on a 200' roll?

Phil

Casey · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:57 pm Post subject:

I don't know any more about it than already stated, but I suspect that it would not prevent anchor dings. For that you'd probably want to have something more substantial to protect the gelcoat.

Will be interesting to see other input(s).

Casey
C-Dory Naknek

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the link, Casey. I've looked for something like that for years - specifically to put on the front of our 5th wheel RV which was a real bug magnet. Now could use it on the front of the Class C overhang which isn't as big a bug magnet as it is hard to get to for cleaning.

Might also do well for RV'ers who tow cars and I suspect it would work pretty well towing the boat over any long distances. Fairly reasonably priced over the long haul. Up until your link, all I've ever seen is very expensive HUGE rolls - marketed to auto manufacturers and the like, or pretty expensive clear custom shields for big motorhomes that are pretty much semi-permanent.

Don

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:11 am Post subject:

Just a thought for the bug splat situation: when we towed our trimaran, there were 4 tall akas (supports) that stood up almost 11' when towing. Flat to the front, they were real bug smashers. I tried wrapping them, but it seemed like that would start to flap in the breeze after a while (we would tow it up to 1800 miles a couple times a year). We then tried wiping down the akas with liquid soap before leaving home... worked great as long as you didn't drive through rain (and then you'd have to give it another coat). Get to your destination, hit it with a hose - clean boat without scrubbing! Of course, that won't prevent rock dings (but a full length weighted mud flap on the coach took care of that problem).

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:39 am Post subject:

Given that the factory advises against trailering with the canvas in place over the windshield (alledgedly it scratches), this might be an excellent way to protect the windshield and keep it clean for long drives -- Any other windshield alternatives out there?

Warren

Wefings · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

We used to use a similar 3M film product to keep boats clean for travel to boat shows . If it flaps in the wind it leaves a mess and if you apply it really well it takes almost as long to remove a washing the boat . It never worked well for us . The stuff we had was black on one side and white on the other . The black side would come off on the gelcoat if it flapped in the breeze .
Marc

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject:

3M makes "Scotchguard Paint Protection film" in 6 mil and 12 mil thickness. I suspect that this is similar to what Mark may be talking about. It is commonly used (clear) in RV front coverings.

The product seems interesting. but 3 mil seems fairly thin, and I wonder if it will be thick enough to protect against rocks or gravel?

The price is much lower than the 3M product used on RV's. Maybe several layers could be put on, or that some padding could be put under the film?

I agree that it is a very good idea to protect the boat when trailering.

We had a near new boat sent from a Sea Ray dealer a few years ago, and it had both shrink wrap (some of which came loose, and caused problems) and a thicker film--I would guess it was 12 mil. The 12 mil film did a good job of protection.