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Boat buckle overcenter buckle (OCB, boatbuckle)

Red seems to be quite confident that you can get this buckle crazy tight. This has not always been my experience. With a smooth bark tree (like beech or poplar) that's pretty symmetrically round I've been able to crank it really tight. On trees with shaggy, loose or really thick bark and on trees that aren't perfectly round I've struggled to get the buckle as tight as I would like. It still works, but there's more play in the steps than I'm happy with. For reference I've hunted with this buckle about 10 times and I've been happy with the tightness probably 6 or 7 of those hunts.
 
I put it on the tree with a few Ameristeps without overdoing it and it seemed to be fine once you put weight on each step and get the whole platform wedged down the tree a bit.
 
jtkratzer said:
kenn1320 said:
jtkratzer said:
I'm no Betsy Ross and I'm not sure my wife has the "tools" to sew that kind of strap that I'd trust to put my weight and tension from an OCB on. What's the trick?
Click to expand...

speedy stitcher.
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This? Any special thread or what comes with it work?
Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HGIJQ4/re ... CwbN8TEF62
Click to expand...
The stuff that comes with it works great and it is what I have been using. I bought some black waxed thread to try out but I haven't run out of the original stuff yet.
 
g2outdoors said:
Red seems to be quite confident that you can get this buckle crazy tight. This has not always been my experience. With a smooth bark tree (like beech or poplar) that's pretty symmetrically round I've been able to crank it really tight. On trees with shaggy, loose or really thick bark and on trees that aren't perfectly round I've struggled to get the buckle as tight as I would like. It still works, but there's more play in the steps than I'm happy with. For reference I've hunted with this buckle about 10 times and I've been happy with the tightness probably 6 or 7 of those hunts.
Click to expand...

I am going to put together a video for this buckle when I get a chance. I'm going to show how I have it threaded and how I set it up. You are right that on a tree with gaps in the bark can be a pain, but that is for any strap on system because of the lack of contact. I have had so much good experience with this buckle I will try to put together a video where I put it on some different trees to show you guys.

jtkratzer- I try to put the buckle between my 3:00 to my 6:00 position on the tree. This puts it at the best spot for me to get it down tight. I pull the tag end so the steps are tight against the tree and the thing is supporting itself. I try to cam it around and usually can't. Then I will twist the buckle back and forth a couple times to put some play in the strap and try to cam it around again. At this point I can usually get it around. I will be open and say I have to put some good energy into getting it around sometimes but I can do it quietly and without lots of movement. Once you get the end of the buckle past 90 degrees don't stop and keep pushing.
 
I tried a few times with my feet on the ground and made it work. I lack the get to hunting height method right now. So until then, is what it is. The buckle works, I get the routing, it's just a small buckle without a lot of leverage to cam it over. I trust that you guys are making it work and until I can get elevated, I'll just have to wait.
 
jtkratzer said:
I tried a few times with my feet on the ground and made it work. I lack the get to hunting height method right now. So until then, is what it is. The buckle works, I get the routing, it's just a small buckle without a lot of leverage to cam it over. I trust that you guys are making it work and until I can get elevated, I'll just have to wait.
Click to expand...
I'm also thinking about making a little extension handle for it to give more leverage to cam it over.
 
redsquirrel said:
jtkratzer said:
I tried a few times with my feet on the ground and made it work. I lack the get to hunting height method right now. So until then, is what it is. The buckle works, I get the routing, it's just a small buckle without a lot of leverage to cam it over. I trust that you guys are making it work and until I can get elevated, I'll just have to wait.
Click to expand...
I'm also thinking about making a little extension handle for it to give more leverage to cam it over.
Click to expand...

That was the first thing I thought of, but it starts to defeat the purpose of the diminutive size of the buckle in the first place, right?
 
I've used the string that comes with the speedy awl on some projects but on the last set I made, I used .30 halo bowstring serving. I don't even know the strengths of either thread and certainly am not qualified to tell any one what will work. Thats just what I used and hadn't seen any issues yet with my applications.

Any one know where I can find a replacement needle for the speed stitch thing. I broke mine :roll: and now its a stub but still works.
 
redsquirrel said:
jtkratzer said:
I tried a few times with my feet on the ground and made it work. I lack the get to hunting height method right now. So until then, is what it is. The buckle works, I get the routing, it's just a small buckle without a lot of leverage to cam it over. I trust that you guys are making it work and until I can get elevated, I'll just have to wait.
Click to expand...
I'm also thinking about making a little extension handle for it to give more leverage to cam it over.
Click to expand...

I suspect the rivet will break if you increase the loading ability of this buckle. While I use this buckle myself, its cheaply made in my opinion and no way I would step on it without being attached to the tree with a safety line.
 
jtkratzer said:
That was the first thing I thought of, but it starts to defeat the purpose of the diminutive size of the buckle in the first place, right?
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Not necessarily. If you had a light weight extention to double the length of the handle I don't think it would make a huge difference if you compare it to the size of the steps that are already on the strap. I was also thinking about making the extension so that it can fold up (actually swing around) so that it stays in line with the buckle for packing.

Too many project ideas, not enough time. Hopefully I can get to it this winter.
 
A mini crow bar tool would probably work. Anything that would hook around the buckle at the hinge and give you longer leverage like a cheater/breaker bar.
 
I'm a little unclear after reading this. Does the boat buckle and strap from Amazon need modification or sewing to add steps to the strap?
Thanks BOMO
 
BOMO said:
I'm a little unclear after reading this. Does the boat buckle and strap from Amazon need modification or sewing to add steps to the strap?
Thanks BOMO
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Yes we cut the hook strap off and just use the buckle. Then use one of the ameristep straps and put your steps on it, feed the free end through the boat buckle. The small hook that comes on the ameristep strap works great on the boat buckle.
 
Yes.

You need to remove the strap that comes with the buckle and add a strap that has a flat hook like the picture below.

cat%20flat%20hook%20strap.jpg


You can get a strap with a flat hook sewn on at Strapworks.

http://www.strapworks.com/Flat_Hook_Gutter_Straps_s/53.htm

A lot of folks are using an Ameristep strap that already has the flat hook sewn on.
 
Great thanks! I'll look at getting the strapworks strap unless someone wants to send me an Ameristep strap. :wink:
 
Re: RE: Re: Boat buckle overcenter buckle (OCB, boatbuckle)

g2outdoors said:
I have a bunch of them. I'll try to grab one tomorrow.
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I'd be interested in one if you have spares

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
g2outdoors said:
I have a bunch of them. I'll try to grab one tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks. Let me know where and when to send info/payment.
 
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