PVC Board racks for $10 bucks

[kevthayer]

I have been brainstorming about building some inexpensive board racks. Want to get some opinions on my idea.

1/2 in" PVC and 1/2" fittings

Use a "T" and elbows to create the ability to insert 12" of pvc and then cap the three ends. Wrap in heat shrink rubber tube

Duplicate the above mentioned for the other side of the rack attach the two pieces with about a foot of PVC.

Now attach the rack with Either U bolts or hose clamps to the tower. If tower protection is a concern use rubber plumbing conector pieces that you would normally use to conect two large pieces of ABS.

I just bought all of the supplies for the project. I will post pics once I have a prototype.

Please offer your suggestions or criticisms.

[wakejunky]

I don't think PVC would be strong enough. PVC is pretty brittle and I wouldn't trust my boards to some plastic. Just my .02

Chris

[kevthayer]

Alright, might be a bad idea. I glued a couple of parts together and was able to break the pvc out of the fitting. Now I'm playing with conduit. Will post a pic in the next few days

[sgrant914]

how about filling the pipes with some kind of filler. say fiberglass resin or something that will cure in the absence of air..

[kevthayer]

I guess I could try that but if I buy afiberglass resin, I am about the same price as electrical conduit and the fittings. Trying to keep it cheap. I glued the conduit last nught and so far everything is very solid. I am now working on some sort of attachment method that will not hurt my tower.

[Buergday]

You can try this...
http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=2047&highlight=board+rack

[kevthayer]

Not bad, I am building something very similar.....now if only I could get away from this crap called work, I would be able to contnue working on my project.

[ttuclint]

you are gonna get someone in your boat killed.

[kevthayer]

ttuclint, Thanks for your input, go find pilot ryder and have a one liner useless conversation.

[Buergday]

I have to admit - he has a point man. My DIY boardrack lasted through one season. Then, on the first day out the following season, I hit some hard chop and the rack snapped with a board in it - which almost decapitated my brother as it fell. Well, I guess it's not all that funny
Good luck though - just use something SUPER strong to build it.... or go buy one like I did.

[kevthayer]

Buergday, Your right he has a point, however, ttuclint, does not support his opinion with any example or reason. You did provide an opinion and reasoning behind that opinion. I ordered my racks from Monster yesterday. I decided to go with buying racks because I did not want the liability associated with a homegrown product. I just get sick of people posting for the sake of having a high post count or a useluss point.
Buergday, I noticed you are from Santa Rosa, do you ride at Berryessa? I'm heading up there this weekend, any recommendations where to launch, where to ride, any good places to beach and hang out?

[ttuclint]

yes, I posted to boost my post count - 677 in almost 3 years.


You were talking about making racks out of PVC and conduit. I didn't think there needed to be any explanation on how easlily how that would fall apart on the lake sending a very large and heavy wakeboard flying thru the air possibly into one of your boat passengers.

[kevthayer]

ttuclint, Thanks for the explaination. Not that I needed it, but that is how you support your claim. I bought racks yesterday.