Waterproof tape

[spelchek]

Hi all,

Bought a new gaff a few weeks back (daughter donated our last to the Elliot R a couple of months ago) and it's a beauty - or so I thought at the shop when I saw it. The shaft has been 'knurled' (turned with a grip pattern on it - sorry metal workers of the forum, I'm not sure if this is the correct term) which is fantastic when retrieving fish , but absolute murder on any painted surface it comes within 2inches of. I'm not fanatical about the paint work on my boat (I bought a painted tinny afterall, I knew it would get knicks and scratches) - but this crazy and driving me nuts.

I'm wondering if there is a waterproof grip tape out there I can wrap the shaft in that won;t come unstuck over time due to water.


PS - to the forum smart-arses - yes, I have considered gaffer tape :D Not sure it'll hold longterm in the wet conditions.

[Spectre]

Not sure what tapes would last in the long run...?
What about binding it with a strong nylon cord ...ala rod runner fashion.
It could then be lacquered (if u want)...but should still give you plenty of grip.
Should last for ages then.

Cheers

[BGG]

As Spectre said, bind it with VB cord and seal it.

[Aussie123]

VB cord and coat it with araladite

[lucee81]

What about putting electrical shrink wrap on it? like you would on a wire join. Dont think it would give a lot if grip but will save the side of the boat...

[Mossy247]

What about putting electrical shrink wrap on it? like you would on a wire join. Dont think it would give a lot if grip but will save the side of the boat...
Agree with this one, I also ran zip ties (anything you like really a nylon cord woul work) under the shrink wrap for that extra ribbed pleasure :P

[Stik-ugly]

what about the rescue tape that was being sold at the tackle and tinny show. Supposedly will seal radiator hoses and fuel lines and comes in a range of colours.

[peterbo3]

You could try the EVA tube material that is glued on to rods. Comes in various diameters & thickness. Waterproof, hard wearing but soft to touch.

[Horse]

What about Heat Shrink rod grip material
http://www.therodworks.com.au/379-Heatshrink.html

[Midnight]

I was thinking heat shrink, or whipping the handle.

That heat shrink that Horse posted would be the go. A mate of mine has a teaser pole for switch baiting that has that same heat shrink as the fore grip. I'm pretty sure Ian Miller made the pole.

Cheers,
Myles

[spelchek]

Thanks all - the suggestions were all much appreciated. I think I'll go with the heat shrink rod grip. Can anyone tell me what diameter the 'Black Heatshrink Tubing' is? If its a large enough diameter to cover the shaft it'll be great at $6.95/m.

Thanks again all.

[Horse]

Thanks all - the suggestions were all much appreciated. I think I'll go with the heat shrink rod grip. Can anyone tell me what diameter the 'Black Heatshrink Tubing' is? If its a large enough diameter to cover the shaft it'll be great at $6.95/m.

Thanks again all.

Check out the link above to Rodworks. As it gets bigger it gets more expensive