New to me Safety Item - Stay Afloat -

Scott Farris

Scott Farris

Well-known member
I just saw this link on a CT site and thought it was a worthwhile addition to my safety kits for temporarily plugging hull damage. I've resorted to sticking sticks in rivet holes and rubber worms in thru-hull fittings, this sure looks easier. Not sure if it's just plumbers putty or not, thoughts?

Video - Stay Afloat sealer

Website

Scott
 
Scott, many guys on Wooden Boat forum, particularly they cruiser guys who go around the world or do serious time at sea all recommend carrying toilet bowl wax rings, 3-4 of them in your safety/tool kits for the exact reasons demonstrated in the video, cheap, available darn near anywhere and flat out work just like the guy said.

Just another option.
 
Eric,
Based on a statement in the video about having used it for ("years"?), but now this guy has made it conveniently available to boaters I figure it's got to be something available in less convenient form, toilet Wax rings may be the ticket. I think a stop at the local hardware store is in order. Thanks!

Scott
 
I like it!
Another good one is "Spash Zone". Its 2 part epoxy based stuff. I've worked on commercial boats that were held together with that stuff. Never left port without it, and hose clamps and duct tape too.
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Bill St.,
I see the "Splash Zone" cures under water but it would take a cool head to mix the two part epoxy in a 14-ft duck boat with a split seam & if like my previous experiences it's always in the dark. I like the tear open and slap on temp patch, that would at least give me time to mix the epoxy for a more structural repair. :^)

Bill Sa.
As a thrifty Yankee, I will be holding off until I can check out the wax toilet ring. A couple mashed up and vacuum bagged would store nicely in the boats.

Scott
 
I had a coffee cup made with splash zone.
Yeah Scott, we had valves to divert the water and big pumps.
Your stuff looks better.
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Hi Ho Hi Ho off to the hardfware store I go. Amazing and I will spread the word to all the boaters I know, students included.
 
Scott,
that is a cool demo of the effect of that stuff.


Not many folks can keep it together when a seacock is busted off and pouring water in the boat. That makes for an easy fix.
 
Bob,

I was thinking of you and wondering if this would have helped when you sliced your boat open on the ice? And don't think I'm going to let you off on the "pig story" you owe us. I've always wanted to go hog hunting, ah the other white meat ;^)

Scott
 
Scott, many guys on Wooden Boat forum, particularly they cruiser guys who go around the world or do serious time at sea all recommend carrying toilet bowl wax rings, 3-4 of them in your safety/tool kits for the exact reasons demonstrated in the video, cheap, available darn near anywhere and flat out work just like the guy said.

Just another option.
Click to expand...


How pliable is a wax toilet bowl ring in duck hunting temps?
 
How pliable is a wax toilet bowl ring in duck hunting temps?
Click to expand...

This was my first thought when considering either of them. You have the outside temp that this stuff has been sitting out in while in the boat, add to that some cold water or freezing water, and you might just have a pile of garbage in your hands.
 
Beeswax I'm guessing. I wouldn't count on this stuff sticking to any plastic boats and anything with flex would not hold for long (until it flexed again that is).

Mark W
 
Tod,

So your saying I should store it in my shorts to keep it warm? Seriously, good thought, I can see a refrigerator experiment coming up.

Scott
 
I needed to replace a wax toilet ring early this winter, I happened to find a spare in the shed and while I didn't man handle it, it seemed like it was pliable enough to rip a chunk off, anyway, it was cold enough that I needed to warm it up before installing it so it would mash down to seal to the flange.

Looking at the video, all those examples were conducted in warm and sunny California, so that stuff will probably stiffen up too when it's cold.

So... who's gonna volunteer to seal up a holed boat with this stuff, in a Gale, it's 20 degrees and snowing, and you can't see shore? LOL
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]
So... who's gonna volunteer to seal up a holed boat with this stuff, in a Gale, it's 20 degrees and snowing, and you can't see shore? LOL
Click to expand...


I'll volunteer,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to man the camera from the OTHER boat while you do the honors George. :>) :>)
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Scott,
I will do it but I have to get it right. That is going to take some time and I am buried at work and home right now.



I like the idea for a simple, fast, "one more try" in a bad one.


I have another story from this year that I will have to write also and this could have been a player if it had not worked out quite the way it did.


The wax would have worked great, but I dont know if the volume would have been enough. We tore a long gash and it was about 1 inch wide. Would have helped a lot though. Beats the heck out of shirts or other cloth and in a ragged opening, a wood tapered plug as well.
 
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