Dart 15 Forums

AndrewHannah wrote:

My launching trolley is about 20 years old. The cups, into which the hulls rest, were, once upon a time, lined with some polystyrene stuff, so as not to scratch the hulls.

With the passage of time, this polystyrene has flaked off. Does any member know if replacement material can be had? If so, what is it exactly called, and where can it be obtained?

With thanks,

Andrew (1060).

Jonathan replied:

Hi Andrew,

Any camping shop will sell you a 6ft length of trolley padding cunningly disguised as a camping mat! Should be able to find one for a few quid. Only downside I found with the stuff I used was that it can squeek a bit when sliding the boat.

Jonathan

p.s. a camping mat plus some duck tape also makes a nice pair of rudder blade protectors!

Keith replied:

Andrew,

I made the same repair earlier in the season having got the tip from Bob.

Having tried, and failed, with a number of adhesives I was advised to use 'Evo Stick'. This isn't normally kept out on the shelves owing to it's popularity amongst sniffers. You will have to ask for it/take a ticket to the cash desk etc.

This did the trick perfectly.

Keith

nick replied:

Andrew,
Make sure the evo stick is the solvent based one(brown) , There is a water based one (white) which I have been fobbed off with in the past. It just washes off!! Down here Home base only have very limited stock of solvent based stuff.
Cheers Nick

AndrewHannah replied:

That's a very good point, Nick. I hadn't realised there was more than one type of Evo Stick.

In my enquiry, I didn't mention that I had earlier tried sticking some carpet to the cups. I didn't think it was relevant to my enquiry, so I didn't mention it. However, the carpet soon came unstuck, which I now deduce was due to using the wrong sort of Evo Stick.

We have a camping shop nearby, so I'll be asking for a camping mat that I can cut up, and stick back together again!

Andrew.

Steve Willis replied:

B&Q were doing a roll of about 2mx1m of short tuft rubber backed carpet (in various colours!) which I used on our trollies. The backing is quite thick (3-4mm) and thus prevents the usual break up in the base of the cup where it is hollow.I did our D18 trolley three years ago and one of our D15 ones last year and both are holding up withoutany signs of coming unstuck

I think the carpet is marketed as kitchen and bathroom carpet.
I use Thixofix glue. One thing to note is it is quite important to scrape off as much of the old adhesive as possible (using something like a craft knife blade and carefully from a fingers point of view) and finally use a coarse sandpaper(60-180 paper) on the cups to give a suitable bond surface.
Another tip is for where the carpet bends over the side lips of the trolley. When you apply the carpet/pad whatever, use lengths of 2x1 timber and clamps to clamp down the 'flange of material. Then cut it back finally flush with the cup lip once bonded. Do follow the adhesive instructions - coat both surfaces and wait for it to become nearly dry before carefully lining up the material.

Before you do it all check out the bolts holding the cup to the tube for the axle stub - now is the time to consider replacing them with new stainless steel ones and new stainless steel mudguard washers - all only about ?2 from a good chandlers - it is a pain to have to pull all the new material off next year to replace a bolt!

Charles replied:

I've found carpet to be tougher than carry mat, perhaps I got sub-standard carry mat, but it broke up after a year or so.

Ruamotu replied:

Try Flotex carpet using proper Evostick. Mine has lasted 6 years so far.

Andrew Watson replied:

I'd echo the suggestion of using flotex. I've used it for years in a variety of ways on various boats and trailers and found that it is very hard wearing and doesn't rot. I'd suggest asking a carpet shop for an off cut or an old sample. Another suggestion for the advesive is no more nails or similar.

Just though I'd add my experience of this job having recently read the above comments and then undertaken it myself.

I used the water resistant rubber backed bathroom carpet from B&Q. It comes pre-packed in fairly small dimensions (3m x 1.5m from memory) for about 20 quid.

For adhesive I used No More Nails, which is far more pleasant to work with than EvoStick - I did the job in our lounge and didn't gas out the family.

I cut the carpet large enough to fold around and under each edge of the cup, applied liberal amounts of adhesive, and used clothes pegs to hold everything in place while the glue dried (overnight). The pegs were spaced at about 2cm intervals so you do need quite a few. I originally planned to use G-clamps and blocks of wood to hold things in place but that proved impractical.

Result so far looks good, provides just the right amount of grip to the hull and after some early season use still seems to be stuck on well.

I'll be interested to hear how the "No Nails" holds up after many submersions. Quite a novel idea.
Cheers
Bob
PS Are you any relation to CrazyDave who sails at Grafham?
PPS Well done for dredging this topic out using our search facility (I guess)

Hi Bob,

I'll post back at the end of the year to confirm whether the carpet has fallen off in a soggy heap or is still stuck firm.

I'm afraid I can't claim to be the Crazy Dave or a Grafham sailor.

I'm one of a number of new Sprint 15 owners at Marconi SC.

I picked up 1488 from Cardiff last summer and brough it back east. Steve Sawford worked his magic on it over the winter and fitted my new tramp too. With new standing rigging from Windsport to finish things off it looks and sails a treat (even if the helm lets the show down).

You may know my sister Jenny who also has sails a 15 at MSC.

Family commitments limit my ability to attend TT events at the moment, but I'll be sneaking in as much club racing as time allows this year.

I've added a signature to my profile now too.

Cheers
David

Hi Andrew

Large carpet Tiles of the works Office type work for me they, have a very tough reverse side (score this with a Stanley knife), And use Evo stick Impact for an instant Stick (no chance to re-adjust) but no chance that it will come apart as can happen with normal evostick as it is still wet for a while

Did this 4 years ago still stuck firmly down Plus the floor tile type dosnt hold the volume of water that carpet does

Steve tunnacliffe
1343 Forever Young

Hi Andrew
We have had this conversation re trolleys! Izods in Southchurch Blvd sell a spray glue (name escapes me but they only sell one). The original cup covering wears quickly, so the answer is a tough short pile carpet tile type bit of carpet. (Geoff Keane carpets in Woodgrange Drive will give you a bit for nothing.)

Cut the carpet and fix with spray glue and large clothes pegs to hold it while it dries.

Duncan (1973)