Lewmar Traveler Help

SabrinaKS · #1 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

We have Lewmar travelers on our staysail and the main. The rubber cushioning on both sides of the cars is breaking down. It has turned brittle and crumbles if you touch it. I am not even sure what that "cushioning" is officially called. This is happening on both main and staysail traveler - all cars. Does anyone know, can this cushioning be replaced? Is there a fix? Prefer to fix vs getting new gear $$. I checked the Lewmar web site but didn't see much to help with this so I am turning to Sailnet.

MacGyverRI · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

If you're handy w/ power tools, some body shop "rubber squeegees" (used for the red lead type putty) or a snubber for a trailer spring or winch should be easy to cut to fit that w/ a band saw. Just use a thin piece of wood for a backing while cutting it.

SabrinaKS · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

Hhhuumm? Might need more details. Red lead type? Snubber for trailer spring - like RV or boat trailer?

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

You could probably fit a standard round rubber bumper to each screw on each side... they're not very expensive and fitting them would be relatively simple.

There's no real need to have a custom Lewmar part for that other than possible aesthetics. These things are used for feet on a lot of different pieces of equipment as well as bumpers for things like doors and the like.

jrd22 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

I agree with Mac, you could probably make new ones out of a piece of EPDM rubber.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrd22

I agree with Mac, you could probably make new ones out of a piece of EPDM rubber.

Why make something when you can buy something for very little money that will serve the same purpose? Much easier to deal with and you can buy spares to start out with.

SabrinaKS · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

Oooh. Good ideas. We also have a plastics manufacturer in town. Maybe they have some rubber that we could use. They often have interesting scraps that we have put to use on our previous boat. Thanks. Keep the ideas coming if you have more.

MacGyverRI · #8 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by SabrinaKS

Hhhuumm? Might need more details. Red lead type? Snubber for trailer spring - like RV or boat trailer?

The red putty they put over body filler, they use a rubber squeegee to apply it, usually around 2" x 4" x 1/4"+ thick.

Yes, like on a RV or boat trailer, kinda like a square or pointed block of semi soft rubber. Find one a bit bigger and cut it down to fit.

arf145 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

If it were me, I'd be doing Sailingdogs solution. Bumpers like that might be found at Home Depot. Online, McMaster-Carr would certainly have them.

Tom

jrd22 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-21-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Why make something when you can buy something for very little money that will serve the same purpose? Much easier to deal with and you can buy spares to start out with.

SD- your stock bumper idea is fine, I meant if he wanted them to look like the originals he could just cut a piece of rubber mat to shape.