Gripsters

[INDAWIND]

HAS ANY ONE OUT IN BOATING WORLD USED THIS PRODUCT? WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOMTHING BETTER THAN ROPES AND BUMPERS.

[KaptainKirk]

of used purple ones for sale on hotboat classifieds.
Thought about those myself but found no one wha has used them for input to warrant the cash outlay !
K.K.

[INDAWIND]

THANKS FOR THE COME BACK. THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT, THE PRICE IS UP THERE. THANKS KK. :D

[Balzy]

HST. There is a picture of his tied up to Steve Anderson's HST with Gripsters. We have used them. They work pretty good. You have to keep them clean and maintained or the cups won't seal though.

Go here for the pic. http://www.hydrostream.org/Members/Members2.htm

[Fang]

I have used them on two STV's, a Euro and a Pro Comp. As far as holding power is concerned they work quite well but should only be used in NO WAKE areas and you do have to be somewhat careful jumping from boat to boat.

The biggest problem I have had with them was leaving marks on the boats. If you try to use them on a painted surface (not gel) they can leave a very small ring-shaped indentation. I had painted my Pro Comp using PPG urethane/clearcoat and the paint had cured for over one year. We solved the indentation problem by making small plexiglass panels in the shape of the boat's flame graffics. I then painted the underside of the plex to match the boat and fastened them to the deck using 3M double face tape. It was a lot of work but it gave the boat a neat custom look.

I have used them on many gel boats with no problems with one exception. Sometimes after using them on my 2000 STV Euro (hazzard yellow gel) I would notice a slight ring-shaped discoloration (lighter). This would only happen when they were used for a long period of time, more than two hours, in very hot weather. The boat was new (fresh gel) at the time and that may have been the problem. The discoloration would go away in a few days. I am going to carefully test them this summer again and if I have to I will do the plexiglass thing once more.

The cost is up there but luckily I purchased mine a few years back before the prices jumped so much. I heard that someone made a set from the suction cups used by plate glass installers.

I will not use ropes and bumpers as I've seen far too many mishaps with those. I will keep on using them until someone comes up with a better system for these low profile boats.

[INDAWIND]

thanks for all the info. i have a hydrostream valero and all my boating bubs have those big family boats. i think i will bite the bullet and sneek some cash and try a set. thanks again and have a safe season.

[motion]

I have a pair that is virtually brand new. They do work great as long as the water is not rough. I will be selling mine as I am no longer using them. Let me know if you are interested. Thanks,