Ron Bakken's Page

"Rick, nice find on that link.  I had been looking at standard stainless rub rail available from the marine suppliers and the price was several hundred dollars (!) which put it way out of my range. So has anybody gone this route, essentially…"

"Good stuff Don!  Thanks.  I suppose there is a reason it's been done this way for so long.   Always trying to build a better mouse trap with out getting caught in it."

"  If you are building a dump truck, that plastic might be the "Right Stuff"...If you aren't concerned with water tightness, it might be the "right stuff" too.  If you are sticking it on an aluminum hull where you…"

"I was just on the phone with the manufacturer, Horn Plastics Inc.  He confirmed the expanding/contracting properties of UHMW.  He said for most of all the applications they deal with(primarily dump truck bed liners) are not concerned…"

"The tough part is finding work on the Olympic Peninsula her in Washington, especially if you are or were a logger. Lots of rivers to fish however. Perhaps telecommuting or working as a fishing guide! I understand that titanium looks pretty cool and…"

"Why didn't I think of that.  :) Problem solved. "

"It's simple. Move to the rain forest where the temperature doesn't have the big swings. Rick Newman"

"Ron,  I have been toying with the idea of a UHMW chine caps, but have been leaning toward them for the reasons mentioned by others.  I have been trying to think of a way to use UHMW without the problems.  Perhaps elongated or…"

"oops ,meant 1/8" x 3'4" steel"

"Very interesting Kevin!  I had never heard of penetrol before.  Did a little search and it looks like amazing stuff with many applications. http://rolledon.forummotion.com/t72-all-about-penetrol   Thanks.   RB  "

"1/4"x 3/4" steel strips screwed into white oak or mahogany with silicone bronze screws that do not penetrate the ply.After installation coat with penetrol.Gives  bomber protection and will take a big hit ,cheap and durable.Keep enough…"

"If you were to install the brass or bronze which are "noble" metals and zinc or one of the less "noble" metals in a strong electolyte like salt water you can develop galvanic action between the two. Hence the installation of…"

"  Brass is not such a great metal for use in water.   I am no chemist, but I think there's something about it that makes it very prone to electrolisis.  Bronze is the 'traditional' boatbuilding metal.  I…"

"Thanks Don! So far more cons than pros for using UHMW for chine cap.  The bottom of my boat and a small portion of the sides are black from epoxy with graphite.  The sides and chine cap are painted so I don't have the nice wooden…"

"Don, good thought. Onlinemetals has bronze in rods and tubes. However they also have brass in .125" x ,75" and ,125" x 1" eight foot lengths are appx $22 and 28 respectively. Wouldn't brass work in a non-saltwater…"

"Thanks Rick!  I was so enamored with UHMW for it's durability but mostly cause it's so slippery.   I wish there was a way to make it work.   RB"