Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

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Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby Top Hat » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:23 pm

For anyone looking for some buoyancy to cram into their bilge, Dollar Tree has 49" pool noodles for $1 ea. You can order them online or, like I did, just walk in, grab a couple of cases and walk through the checkout line nonchalantly, like it's a perfectly normal thing to do...walking around with 80 noodles.
1982 O'Day Daysailer II, #10892, "Reservoir Dog"
2012 Laser, #200559
Top Hat
 
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Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jeadstx » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:47 pm

I used about 60 of them when I filled the bilge on mine. Some I had to cut in half to get them in some areas.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby Top Hat » Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:42 pm

I stuffed 52 in there, cutting many in half. Making one end pointy helps get them in there when room is getting scarce. The factory foam under the seats is still in good shape on my beast so I didn't have to replace any of that.
1982 O'Day Daysailer II, #10892, "Reservoir Dog"
2012 Laser, #200559
Top Hat
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:45 pm

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jeadstx » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:33 pm

I also put a few in the gunwales thru the access ports I put in when I installed oarlocks.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jplevens215 » Tue Apr 01, 2014 2:22 pm

Hi All

Silly Newbie question, but are you all just opening the round bilge inspection ports on either side of the centerboard housing on the cockpit sole and stuffing the noodles in there?

I'd be interested to know if I am on the right track.

Thanks,
James
O'Day Daysailer II 6537
Hailing Port - Lake Nockamixon, Quakertown Pennsylvania
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Location: Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jeadstx » Tue Apr 01, 2014 3:46 pm

Yup, that's were I put mine in. I first stuck a digital camera in there to check out the space. Found out the P.O. had removed my flotation. I then started putting "pool noodles" in thru those inspection ports. In the stern, I put in whole ones, in the bow I had to cut them in half. I wish I had cut them in half for the stern tho, as I think I could have made them fit better.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jplevens215 » Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:09 am

Thanks John

Maybe I am over examining this, but did you place the noodles parallel to the port and starboard sides, or parallel to the stern transom? My bilge has ridges in it that run from bow to stern parallel to the sides of the boat, so seems to be this might be a better way to go, but when you speak of cutting them in half, it made me consider having them perpendicular to the sides, but parallel to the stern. Which, in your opinion is the better way to go?

I like the camera idea. I'm going to try that to get a glimpse of what’s there.

Look out Dollar Store - crazy man with a case of pool noodles under each arm in aisle 3. LOL.


J
O'Day Daysailer II 6537
Hailing Port - Lake Nockamixon, Quakertown Pennsylvania
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Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:12 am
Location: Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jeadstx » Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:28 pm

I put them in the easiest way I could. Lining up with the ridges. There are not many options thru the inspection ports.

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jplevens215 » Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:35 am

Operation Noodle Bilge Fill was a success. I think my favorite part was, as others have said, wondering around the Dollar Tree with that box of noodles and seeing the expressions on people's faces. Managed to get 40 noodles into my bilge.

Thanks for the tip.
O'Day Daysailer II 6537
Hailing Port - Lake Nockamixon, Quakertown Pennsylvania
jplevens215
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:12 am
Location: Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

Re: Inexpensive Pool Noodles at Dollar Tree Stores

Postby jeadstx » Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:34 pm

The pool noddles kept my boat afloat after a capsize in 2012 and it was heavily loaded with camping gear and supplies (enough to pack the cuddy cabin full).

John
1976 Day Sailer II, #8075 - Completed the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Texas 200
1952 Beetle Boat Swan Catboat
Early Rhodes 19
1973 Mariner 2+2, #2607 - Completed 2014, 2015 and 2016 Texas 200
1969 Day Sailer I, #3229
Fleet 135; Canyon Lake, Texas
jeadstx
 
Posts: 1216
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:10 am
Location: Dripping Springs, Tx


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