Making Rock Guards for Minuet

[Just Ginger]

Since I learned much from the forums, I have bought Common Sense Fasteners (from NW Tarp & Canvas) and have just now drawn out my pattern to make my own rock guards.

I have until the first weekend in April to complete the two corner panels; that's when the April Fool's Rod Run takes place at Twin Oaks Park in South Georgia.

Thanks for the posts and information. Suggestions I read have been very helpful in my figuring out to do this. I'll post later on my success.

Ginger

[Just Ginger]

I just finished my rock guards for my 1978 Six-Metre Minuet (The Dragon). The project turned out to be a bit more tedious than I had anticipated, but, of course, the second set would be easier now that I know how to do it; design & build at the same time is harder. If I ever have to do it over, I'll make a couple of modifications.

I entered the first post in mid-February, so I see that it took a month, but I worked on some other things along the way. I had to do some thinking about it. The Common Sense fasteners were the major expense; I used twenty per window, and at $2.40 each that was almost $100. Everything else was from stuff I had on hand. I used one-inch styrofoam panels for the inside padding, red broadcloth for the outside (like canvas but not as heavy), and an industrial material from a foam mattress for the inside fabric.

I'll post pictures tomorrow, just in case anyone is interested.

Ginger

[Just Ginger]

As soon as I figure out how to post a photograph of my rock guards, I will do so.

[Just Ginger]

[Just Ginger]

[perryg114]

They look good but are the snaps that hold them on a potential for leaks?

Perry

[Just Ginger]

Hello, Perry,
Good question. I was thinking about that while attaching the turn posts. I decided to just screw them in for now, until I made sure the plan worked, and next I'm going back into each one, unscrew it and put a dab of sealer on each, and then rescrew them. With my driver, I can do that sealing job pretty quickly. Thanks for the mention.
Ginger

[perryg114]

Sounds like a plan.

Perry

[Just Ginger]

The plan seems to be working. I'm about ready for the 100-mile trip to the April Fool's Rod Run at Twin Oaks Park in Hoboken, GA. The Dragon spent ten years as my guest house before I decided to make it roadworthy again. I've reworked the interior, and it's comfortable and roomier now. I took it for a neighborhood test drive a couple of weeks ago (after repacking the bearings), and it followed nicely. The Turtle (1965 Shasta 13') is staying home this year.

[MIKO92]

Ginger,
I just bought an old Minuet from a fellow in Americus. This is a great idea, I wonder if they will be stiff enough to protect against rocks, though? What do you think?

[Just Ginger]

I just returned from The Dragon's first outing since the remodel and making the rock guards. All worked perfectly, and I used a styrofoam sheet that I scored to bend.

[perryg114]

Do you have any information on the fasteners you used?

Thanks

Perry

[Just Ginger]

Hello, Perry,
I got the Common Sense fasteners from Jim Watt at Northwest Tarp & Canvas in Bellingham, WA. Number: 360-296-2321. He had the best price I could find and is a totally pleasant person.

I got 40 sets, including the screws for $90. I designed the guards for twenty per window. I could have used fewer fasteners, but I wanted to make sure everything was securely attached.

If you need anymore information about what I did, just let me know.

Ginger

[Just Ginger]

I got this message through email from MIKO92 but couldn't access it here, so I'm posting my reply in case anyone else wants to know: "Ginger, Did you put the common sense fasteners on the window frame of the Dragon or in the skin of the trailer? Thanks for your posts regarding the covers!"

Hello, MIKO92, I attached them on the skin just outside the window frame. Done again, I would put just a tiny bit more space between the fastener base and the edge of the window. Across the bottom, I put them inside the band that runs horizontally around the trailer.

Ginger