On Tue, 3 Feb 2004 21:03:52 -0800, Pete wrote:


I'm rebuilding a 15-year-old rough-water floating dock held off from the
shore with 2 hinged stiff arms and cross-chains.

This time around, I'd like to avoid the corrosion and wear in steel hinges,
and I'd like to add some sort of shock absorber against the percussive
forces of waves.

Anyone know of a rubber hinge or something else that would do this job?

We're talking heavy duty here. A 7,000 lb 10x50' float, with 500 lb
6x6"x20' steel tube stiff arms, 1" diameter stainless hinge pins. Waves up
to 4', winds to 70 mph, a 15' tidal range, and 3 kt currents.

Is this the Bay of Fundy by any chance? Damn....

As to shock absorbtion, you might want to consider rubber truck tire
chocks. Believe it or not, they have a big time compression
coefficient and would be perfect for something this big.

Just out of curiosity, what are you tying up to this monster?

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------

"I thought I'd just go fishin', but the fish
were not amused. And I caught myself just
wishin' that I was in the fishes shoes. Just
swimmin' in some deep blue water not a care
in my head, watchin' some fool with a line
and a pole hidin' by the riverbed."

Joe Ely, "Back To My Old Molehill" - "Flatlanders,
Wheels of Fortune - 2004"