I'm calling it a "Storpedo" update w/more pics

PICs of the completed Storpedo on page three

Many of you have likely done this or just purchased one of the commercial trailer storage boxes available, but I decided to make a PVC pipe storage container and thought some might be interested. I had hoped to find a suitable and inexpensive piece of scrap pvc pipe, but did not.

I went to Ferguson Plumbing (Waterworks division), a very large national supplier of everything plumbing. They had what I needed. Though I had to buy a 14' length minimum, the price was not too bad. I bought SDR-35 which is the thinnest walled and cheapest of their PVC (much cheaper than Sched 40), but still very heavy duty.

I plan to cut it in half lengthwise and add hinges, and will need to put end caps on it, but it was a lot cheaper than buying the really cheezy thin walled Hobie "Toy Box" for $394 or a trailer box from Murray's for $995!!!. I plan to make the end caps so it looks like a "torpedo" and maybe paint it gray

Here is some info on the two sizes I was considering:

12" diam. $6.16/ft 9.5 lb/ft ($86 and 133 lb per 14' length)
15" diam. $9.16/ft 14.2 lb/ft ($128 and 198 lb per 14' length)

I got the 12" diam. pipe and think it will hold sails and boom, sheets, rudders, life jackets, etc. They also had it in 18" diam.

Here is the pipe still loaded on my car (yes, it is green): (the white pipe along the ceiling is for my wood shop dust collection system)

Update: more pics on page 2

Looks promising! I'll be doing something along those lines this winter too. Is that pipe in specified sections (I realize you stated 14' min.) or can it be bought by the foot? I'm thinking buying like 18' cutting 10.5' for the sails and then a second tube using the remaining 6.5. for the rudders and misc stuff.
Do they sell end caps for this pipe or will they have to be made?
Please keep us posted.

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

The stack I looked at was all 14'ers, and sold by the length. I am not sure if they carry it in longer lengths in that size. If so, it sure would be heavy! I don't think they will cut it. Again, they likely have caps, but I don't know for sure. The best thing to do is go to your local Ferguson's Waterworks (they are everywhere) and see what they have- that is the reason I went with 12" over the larger (too large) 15" or 18."

Found one in Annapolis. Looks like I need to do some measuring. Thanks!!

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

Spent four wonderful (??? ) years there in the 70's.

I hope you have that grounded well. PVC makes a crzy amount of static when used for dust collection. Really fine dust goes BOOM!

Yeah, The Annapolis main circle is 11 miles from my door. My wife commutes every day, except last week. She had training up in Fredrick which is 52 miles away...commute time? THE SAME!!!!!

When I go to Annapolis I try to take the Dune Buggy. The streets are alot more suited for it. It is a pretty town, I should try to visit it more often. I usually only go there for business and once a year on the Harley for the "Helmet Protest Rally".

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

Nope, no grounding. Been doing this for many years. A little static, yes; boom, no- an urban legend.

I see you have the right car for the job. I use the inside of my rusting mini van as a "dock box" on wheels. (The boat sits on a public beach about an hour away).

Unfortunatly "the chicks don't dig it" but it works for me.

_________________
1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Yup, the outside of the van has seen better days- bad paint- but the inside, except for the headliner is in really great shape. I just got done redoing the wheel bearings and brake pads, rotors and shoes, so it is ready for another 150K miles!!!

Throw super fine dust from a timesaver or drum sander into a fire sometime. Get a half dozen beers in you and it's better than fireworks. There is a reason large shops have fire suppresion systems in their dust collectors. On a small scale it's probably not much of an issue though. I have considered doing the same thing with PVC. Super smooth, and you can get a 100% airtight seal, lowering the need for a larger dust collector.

I did almost the same thing except I have a 6" pipe which gives it a tighter fit but I still have enough room for the sail, boom and tiller. I would suggest looking locally on craigslist. A guy sould us 10 feet of 6" sch 40 pvc for only 20 bucks. We just bought caps and female adapters for the additional 30 and used hose clamps to attach it directly to the trailer beams.

There is no doubt it has happened, but all the "reported" (alleged) incidents were at commercial installations with extreme quantities and densities of dust. That can happen when dust becomes static like in a filter baghouse when the system has been shut down and restarted. With my low dust densities, high velocity, and cyclone separator, it just can't happen.

I think my 12" pipe will leave a lot more room (with tax, 14' cost me a tad over $90) Today I cut off the gasket/bell end and shortened it to 12'. I also cut it in half lengthwise so it opens like a clamshell to make it easier to stow the sail/boom. Tomorrow I will install piano hinge down one side and make some end caps.

has anyone ever tired "welding" that stuff. I have heard they sell heat guns and "rods" that allow you to do this. I was wondering in your case since you have the clam shell design if a welded on end cap made from sheet goods would be good.