Barry Pyeatt Posted April 22, 2003 Posted April 22, 2003 This a little off topic, but related. I would like to make some decorative rope fenders for my Weekender. Does anyone know of a set of good instructions? :? I have seen some offered for sale at various shows and chandleries and they are pretty expensive. :roll: I used to do a lot of macrame' work and think it would be a good hand and mental exercise besides coming up with some useful items for the boat. I am also interested in making mats that could be used in the cockpit sole. Again decorative knotwork is my first preference. Thanks! Quote
Bill Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Barry, Just about any knot book has the mats in them, usually towards the back in the decorative section.. I haven't found a really good source for fenders yet. Look up knots on Google and you could spend the evening with all the links that show up. If you can pick up a copy of the Marlinspike sailor it would probably be a good starting place. http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/html/0070592187.html I have a few books and none of them have fenders. The mats are all basically the same, just a few more turns to make it bigger etc. If you come to a dead end e-mail me and I'll scan some mat pages for ya and send em along... Bill Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 23, 2003 Author Posted April 23, 2003 Thanks Bill, spent nearly 2 months in Hawaii doing web searches for information. Visited some maritime museums looking at what was there. Spent some time with an old timer at a harbor that did some decorative knotwork but still looking for a good design that is appropriate along with a pattern if possible. Heading for the library tomorrow. If anyone has any good references I will be happy to check them out. Ordered the Marlinspike Sailor but haven't received it yet. We have a good maritime library here and I am looking at some English (UK) and Chinese knotwork designs. Quote
B Wilkins Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Barry, I have ran across a company that makes the fender over in Kirkland or somewhere on the east side. They may have some information you are looking for. I found there url, herer it is. www.theknottedline.com Bryan Quote
Simon Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I highly recomend Harvey Garret Smith's book, so its a good thing you have it on order - I don't have it here, so I'm not positive, but I'm fairly sure that it has rope fenders, and definitely everything you need to know about matting and decorative knots of all types. I bought my copy years ago and I still enjoy rereading it, although I;ve rarely made anything from it to this point. All that will change soon enough though! He also gives plans and instructions for stropped wooden blocks. [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 23, 2003 Author Posted April 23, 2003 Bryan, I really appreciate that lead. I had his website as a favorite place a couple years ago and somehow lost it. His workmanship is what had turned me onto this idea of making my own fenders. I'm glad I know where to turn. From what I read there, he does give classes. So....maybe that is the way to go. Simon, Thanks for the endosement. I got to look over a friends copy in their study about a year ago one evening when I was at dinner there. Couldn't take much time as I was on a "restroom break" from the evening. So I'm looking forward to getting my copy. Quote
Phil Gowans Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 I want to make some fenders myself, this link is the best I've found. http://www.dsv.nl/~salmaj/ropefender.htm Quote
P Doug (WA) Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 For what it is worth, there is a pretty good list of pages in the index of the book "Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work" on fenders. I found it at amazon.com, you can look at excerts from the book and get a general idea about the book. I think the book is about $24. With shipping and taxes you might get it for under $100. Quote
MikeStevenson Posted April 23, 2003 Posted April 23, 2003 Marlinspike Sailor was going to be my reccomendation. I've had a copy since my tenth birthday. It was a fun book to have as a kid. Mike Quote
capt jake Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 Barry, I have pondered this long and hard. I have a book (though it is packed away) it only gave the basics. Hervey Garret I think? I have three different mats that I have made, none of which I am particularly fond of. Maybe I can remember to keep a few samples with 'Fire Escape' to show you ( you are coming to the olympia wooden boat fair; aren't you??). I need to remember to pull out the sail track and slide at the same time. :) Let me know if you are coming, and that way I will know what to unpack prior to me move!! If the pirates will let me!! :D Back you scallywags!!!! Quote
Derek Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 We should coordinate, Barry, should you be coming to the boat show. I'd like to to meet up with you also. Keep us posted on the possibility of your coming to Olympia. Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 24, 2003 Author Posted April 24, 2003 Hey Derek, Why don't you coordinate with Jake and find out what time and which day. My schedule is my own to make at this point so I'll plan on being there to meet with you both at that time. Don't know but maybe Joel and some of the others in the South Sound Area might want to join us too. Issue an open invite on the forum to all the local builders and maybe we can get together at a particular time and day. We can grab a hot dog and a mug o'suds or a pop and get aquainted after we oooooo and aaahhhhhh over Jake's fine piece of furniture, er,ah beautifully finished pocket yacht. Quote
Frank Hagan Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 The Arts of the Sailor by Hervey Garrett Smith is only about $10, and has 10 pages (give or take) on making rope mats. The link here from messing-about.com can be found here: The Arts of the Sailor The review page will list several other books you can browse on-line that are similar, including The Marlinspike Sailor (check the on-line reviews of them to see if they cover rope mat making ... I have Marlinspike Sailor somewhere, but don't remember much on making rope mats and bumpers in it. The Arts of the Sailor has an entire chapter on rope mats, how to rig dead eyes, chafing gear, etc., but I don't see anything on rope fenders). In the interest of full disclosure, messing-about.com is paid a small commission if you link through and buy a book (not a great marketing plan, but it at least offsets most of the cost of running the site!) Or, you can snag the ISBN number from the listing and take it to your local book seller and order the book. Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 24, 2003 Author Posted April 24, 2003 Thanks Frank, I'll check that out too. Ordered the Marlinspike Sailor thru the forum link to Amazon. Every little bit helps! Ordered a couple books published in England thru the public library on traditional decorative knotwork that were recommended to me. They are both out of print as far as we could tell. But if they are something that I would want in my library I will try to locate them thru here. Quote
Frank Hagan Posted April 24, 2003 Posted April 24, 2003 Thanks, Barry! Its an easy way for me to keep the site up without resorting to flashing banners or pop up windows (actually, I think I would close the site before resorting to that kind of nonsense). The library is an often-overlooked source. Its amazing how much my local library has, including three of the Stevenson's books from the days of yore (well, the 70's and 80's anyway). Quote
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