: I'm re-finishing a 12 yr old stripper and one thing I learned is to
: use hardwood on the tips. On several of my boats the ends always
: get chewed up from the grab loop rope. Probably during carrying
: it, it digs into the edge and also rubs there. I am going to
: replace the end tops about 4" from the ends with a hardwood
: or some kind of black synthetic material thats tough and can
: take the abrasion. I think the cedar is just to soft even though
: it's coated and glassed. It's happened on two boats after a few
: years.

I think most of the problem comes from using the grab loops to tie bow and stern lines on for cartopping. If the loops are long enough to go over the tip of the bow, then there should be no abrasion on the sheer edges. This assumes the owner makes sure that the loops are used that way.

Bill H.