I am almost finished building my Blazer Backlash and want to use magnets to secure the back corners of the cowl and have some questions.
One, where do I get Neodym magnets?
Two, should I forget the idea and use conventional push and turn latchs?
Three, what other ideas are floating arond out there?

Note: the Backlash cowl is the same as the Whiplash.

Hi

I’d be very worried about using any magnetic method of retaining the deck cowl. If the cowl can be pulled off it surely will be only a matter of time before it comes off unexpectedly.

It will be interesting to see if any members successfully use such a method.

My preferred choice is the conventional push and turn latches like these from Prestwich Model Boats:



I have also used with success the protruding rod through which a sprung retaining pin is pushed. However I find this method too fiddly when inserting the pins. And I think that such pins look a bit messy.

Regards
Craig

I was thinking of using push and turns but they can be too secure. If a hydro crashes at 70+ mph the cowl/boat can be damaged. The magnetic latch would not hold the cowl as secure and let it seperate. Just want to reduce the amount of damage in such a crash.

Mercury94 wrote:
Okay, you asked for any other ideas......

Could you use a hook and loop (Velcro) fastener (the stuff with self adhesive on both strips)?

That way you could vary the gripping force easily subject to the size of the material used. And the small amount of movement possible between the contacting strips might help reduce any vibration.

I’ve never tried this for securing cowls but the thought just occurred because I do use it to hold my radio receivers in place and it works very well in that application.

Craig

Mercury94 wrote:

www.allelectronics.com/make-a-.../Magnets/1.html

Craig Dickson wrote:Was thinking of Velcro but was concerned about the adhesive backing coming loose with repetative use. The hull is epoxy covered Birch plywood and the cowl is carbon fiber.

The magnets work very well if you get strong enough mags and line them up perfectly flat. Personally on most of my boats I like to go with mags or Orings. Usually go with Orings on race boats where looks aren't so important yet functionality IS. The Orings will hold cowl through about any racing, but will break on impact or flip.

The pushdown cowl locks are nice, but trust me they WILL tear a few big holes into your cowls when you get in a good hit/flip.

www.hobby-lobby.com/hatchlatch...hQueryId=946562