Hood ratchet straps....Brap straps....

[Cannibal]

So I am going to be building my own and wanted some input on strap material and other suggestions.

McMaster has stainless ratchet mechanisms for $16.03 here.

And they have the webbing here.

I'm a bit torn on what webbing to get. I like both the Polypropylene and the Polyester webbing for our application. There's also Kevlar, if you want the straps to be bulletproof. I'm looking at 10' just so I have enough.

"Polypropylene is light in weight and economical. It repels water and resists mildew, most acids, and alkalies." $.23/ft

"Polyester is soft, has minimal stretch, and is quick drying to retain strength when wet." $.57/ft

"Kevlar is cut resistant and has extremely low stretch. " $4.01/ft (10' of that is out of my budget)

I know the Brap Strap comes with a mounting plate (I can make that), a guide plate that mounts on the hood (is that really needed?), sewn straps (mom has a sewing machine and I bet I can handle that, I got mad home ec. skills), and some hardware I can source locally.

Input please.

Steve

 

[vitalikol]

I want to build one to, so I just want to tag along

 

[djkorn1]

I think any of it will work. built mine for about $6

 

[keith t]

http://www.pwcforums.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=34084

heres how i made mine - step by step, although the SS ratchets are very expensive over here !

 

[Mark44]

The only think that scares me about these ratchet straps is the stitches they could induce.

Mark44

 

[FyrHazard]

I used the polyester webbing #3444T826 and it has worked very well so far.

I also used a webbing plate #3361T71 instead of sewing my strap. This way it is adjustable if I want to cut some off or something.

I think the hood plate is to help keep the hood from sliding side to side. I intend to make one eventually but have been running for a while without one.

 

[WaveDemon]

I also used a webbing plate #3361T71 instead of sewing my strap. This way it is adjustable if I want to cut some off or something.

do you have 2 pieces of webbing running through that plate and then both of them go into the rachet? The plate just Y's them together correct?

I think I might give this a try.

 

[FyrHazard]

It's actually 1 piece of webbing (but same idea that you are thinking) - it is folded over so there is a small loop hanging down in the tray. Makes a nice grab handle to pull the latch loose to remove the hood.

 

[WaveDemon]

It's actually 1 piece of webbing (but same idea that you are thinking) - it is folded over so there is a small loop hanging down in the tray. Makes a nice grab handle to pull the latch loose to remove the hood.

i like it

 

[tightithrash]

turf the ratchet guys :skull2:

 

[Cannibal]

http://www.pwcforums.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=34084

heres how i made mine - step by step, although the SS ratchets are very expensive over here !

Nice job, I like it. Gives me a few ideas.

The only think that scares me about these ratchet straps is the stitches they could induce.

Mark44

Ratchet will be turfed with a velcro strap just like the Blowsion one.

I used the polyester webbing #3444T826 and it has worked very well so far.

I also used a webbing plate #3361T71 instead of sewing my strap. This way it is adjustable if I want to cut some off or something.

I think the hood plate is to help keep the hood from sliding side to side. I intend to make one eventually but have been running for a while without one.

Polyester was the way I was leaning. I'll have to look into that webbing plate and have it on hand so I can go that way in a pinch if I decide. Good idea.

 

[WaveDemon]

I did the same thing as fryhazard and added brass eyelest to the webbing at the pole bracket end.

So far so good.

 

[FyrHazard]

It's actually 1 piece of webbing (but same idea that you are thinking) - it is folded over so there is a small loop hanging down in the tray. Makes a nice grab handle to pull the latch loose to remove the hood.

Seeing this thread reminded me of another use for that loop on the end of the hood strap.

When you have to swim your ski in by yourself 1/2 mile from shore it works pretty good as a tow strap. Learned that one the hard way last weekend.