I saw a number of people singing praises of Bungee Dealee Bobs in the gear forum.

Question: Are there any weakness you have observed using the BDBs?

No and they hold up extremely well over the years.

Just for kicks, I have been experimenting with some DIY designs. One think I noticed is that the loop into the bar, being orthogonal to the pull, tends to cause the bar to spin. The Dealeebob bar has a slight curve from what I can tell from photographs. Rather than a curve, I designed the bar with "walls" (for lack of a better term) on each edge to keep the bungee from slipping out.

bungee

Yes. They keep disappearing! My son took a few, a few with the bikes, a few in the garage....which usually leaves me short for camping!

I have 8 and use 8. Numerous uses. I haven't perceived any issues; fairly simple design with a simple purpose.

TechnoScout: "Just for kicks, I have been experimenting with some DIY designs. One think I noticed is that the loop into the bar, being orthogonal to the pull, tends to cause the bar to spin. The Dealeebob bar has a slight curve from what I can tell from photographs. Rather than a curve, I designed the bar with "walls" (for lack of a better term) on each edge to keep the bungee from slipping out.
https://i.imgur.com/DMhSVKY.jpg"

That spin is a PITA - the walls ("end caps"?, "lips"?) should help a bunch.

We seem to add a few BDB's every year and they seem to keep getting used/borrowed. They're not perfect but they do the job. I do prefer the rubberized large gear ties for similar jobs, use both depending on the situation.

I like your modification TechnoScout

I do not share most members adoration of BDBs. I do use them to keep my fishing rod and paddles I place for portaging and they get the job done, but have two issues that bug me. One is that when I stretch the cord around the thwart and insert and twist the little tube stopper thing, sometimes it untwists and snaps me on the hand. The other thing is while I usually like to leave them on the thwart or seat, sometimes they fall off somewhere. I've purchased some narrow bungee/shock cord and am thinking of making my own that are somehow attached to the my canoe.

I just untied mine, threaded through a clip I had mounted and retide... they were always there where they needed to be. Probably one of the best multiuse products around. Thanks to Scott what’s his name... haha! Young Scout or something like that. Haha!

Jaywalker: "I do not share most members adoration of BDBs. I do use them to keep my fishing rod and paddles I place for portaging and they get the job done, but have two issues that bug me. One is that when I stretch the cord around the thwart and insert and twist the little tube stopper thing, sometimes it untwists and snaps me on the hand. The other thing is while I usually like to leave them on the thwart or seat, sometimes they fall off somewhere. I've purchased some narrow bungee/shock cord and am thinking of making my own that are somehow attached to the my canoe. "

Yes, this the first thing I observed with my first couple of attempts. The bite of the cord naturally wants to align itself parallel to the taut cord. That is why I added the tips on the end to stop this behavior. It appears that the BDBs use a curved tube and I bet its purpose is to stop this realignment.

I ordered a hundred feet of shock cord a long time ago and a bag of cord locks and made a gallon of 'em for myself.
I use them all over the place. Work - play - shop - auto - camping - fishing - etc.
I often find them very useful.

KarlBAndersen1: "I ordered a hundred feet of shock cord a long time ago and a bag of cord locks and made a gallon of 'em for myself.
I use them all over the place. Work - play - shop - auto - camping - fishing - etc.
I often find them very useful."

LOL...kindred spirit.

I am a designer/inventor by trade...this thing just looked like something that could use some innovation. So, I am fiddling with the design...see what I come up with.

I have about 15 BDBs and have no issues with them. Works as advertised for me.

Jackfish: "

TechnoScout: "Here is an update on the design, and attachment method. Need to crimp the tails so that the clip does not come off.


BDB Rev. B "

For the record, that is not a Bungee Dealee Bob. It's a similar product and you can call it something else, but there's only one BDB and it's made by Old Scout Outdoor Products. "

I renamed the link.

No one has mentioned it but Old Scout Outdoor Products is a member of BWCA.com running a small scale cottage industry. A lot of the BDB's popularity is because he's local and a long time member.

Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit, but I prefer to support Scott. Besides, I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next.

And Scott is a super guy to know!

butthead

butthead: "But I prefer to support Scott besides I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next.



butthead"

Good Move! I saw the pink ones in Piragis just prior to my last trip and couldn't help myself and added two more to my collection.

I use several of them, mostly to secure fishing rods in canoe. I would like there to be a larger size or material with a little more stretch. A couple different sizes would be great.

They are a great invention, and I have a few, but for securing my paddles to the canoe for portaging, I much prefer a simple loop of elastic cord. It's tied around the center thwart, and sized so I can just slip the handle end of my paddles in (the blade rides on the bottom of the front seat when the canoe is on my shoulders.) This system is much faster than fiddling with a BDB at the start and end of every portage.

butthead: "No one has mentioned it but Old Scout Outdoor Products is a member of BWCA.COM running a small scale cottage industry. A lot of the BDB's popularity is because he's local and a long time member.
Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit. But I prefer to support Scott besides I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next.


And Scott is a super guy to know!
butthead"

1) I am not now nor plan in the future to run a business selling bungee things
2) I never said I was trying to put Old Scout out of business

Having said that, innovation makes the world a better place for everyone. If it were not so, you would not have an iPhone that nearly put Nokia out of business. Maybe Steve Jobs should have let Nokia just keep selling their candy bar and clamshell phones.

Perhaps my inventive ideas will cause Old Scout to innovate his own product (pink cording is a good example). To thrive where you are bringing product to market, you must always obsolete your own products.

justpaddlin: "To thrive when you are bringing product to market sometimes requires that you not obsolete your current product for the sake of innovation. Think Weber grills or Reese peanut butter cups or Classic Coke or CCS packs or even my 4Runner which has not changed design in ten years but sales continue to increase. Innovation can certainly lead to good new things but it's just one piece of Product success. "

1) Coke has a proprietary formula which is a major factor as well as the fact that marketing and CHANNEL play a huge role in their sales, and in that arena, they are always innovating (at least with marketing).
2) Reeses peanut butter cups: proprietary formula and marketing (like coke), and CHANNEL.
2) CCS Packs: TAM/SAM is so small nobody else cares
3) 4Runner: don't have an opinion without further research, but yes there can be other factors. Marketing and channel also play a role

Do you see companies obsoleting their products in the area of 1) tents, 2) sleeping pads, etc.? Sure, the whisperlite has not changed much, but MSR continues to come out with other stoves.

You are correct, for small markets (implied) there are other factors.

Bottom line for the bungee things, again, the SAM is so small that nobody (including me) would care to invest. So, maybe they rest on their laurels, and all is well.

I guess we got a little off topic n'cest pas? Happy paddling!

TechnoScout, was not complaining but explaining the BDB popularity especially on this website. Lighten up some.

butthead

butthead: "TechnoScout, was not complaining but explaining the BDB popularity especially on this website. Lighten up some.

butthead"

Got it. We are at peace...lets put this one to bed.

Hey TechnoScout,

You must have a 3D printer at your disposal, in order to prototype your modifications to the bar. That's pretty cool that you're able to make use of cutting edge technology that way.

I've experienced the bight end twisting and slipping out as well, but only when tying something up. It's almost convenient that it happens sometimes when loosening the bungee.

My 3D printer has solved so many problems, made repair parts, created jigs for the lab bench, a battery test jig that fits on a Harbor Freight Cen-Tech multimeter...on and on. Naturally, when I saw the bungee thing, my mind started churning. Still churning as I continue to see ways to make it better.

The problem you are facing with twisting can be minimized by simply relocating the tube. It should rest adjacent to the adjustable clamp. That way the clamp and tube are inserted into the loop. Then pull the tail while squeezing the clamp as the tube and clamp tighten toward the loop. An interesting thing happens. The loop radius of curvature shrinks reducing the likelihood of torquing the tube adversely. IMHO this is better than what is taught.

mirth: ....

I've experienced the bight end twisting and slipping out as well, but only when tying something up. It's almost convenient that it happens sometimes when loosening the bungee."

Undoing the BDB is quite easy for the reason you mention. Very handy at times.

TechnoScout: "I saw a number of people singing praises of Bungee Dealee Bobs in the gear forum.

Question: Are there any weakness you have observed using the BDBs?"

E=MC^2 ; The elegance is in the simplicity.

You could consider the BDB to be the E=MC^2 of the canoe tripping equipment. A Bungee Dealee Bob is genius in its simplicity. Its simplicity allows a profit margin with a sale price under a few bucks. Its simplicty allows it to adapt to many diffent applications. Its simplicity is aesthetically pleasing.

Complicate the BDB and you risk infringing on what makes it great.

OCDave: "

TechnoScout: "I saw a number of people singing praises of Bungee Dealee Bobs in the gear forum.


Question: Are there any weakness you have observed using the BDBs?"

E=MC^2 ; The elegance is in the simplicity.


You could consider the BDB to be the E=MC^2 of the canoe tripping equipment. A Bungee Dealee Bob is genius in its simplicity. Its simplicity allows a profit margin with a sale price under a few bucks. Its simplicty allows it to adapt to many diffent applications. Its simplicity is aesthetically pleasing.


Complicate the BDB and you risk infringing on what makes it great."

Great post! I think the bdb’s are a great product. But I look at someone being innovative with ideas can be a great thing too. Techguy is doing this as a hobby for himself. Look at the young guys that in my mind perfected the Bob Dustrude saw. I knew Bob... he would have liked that I think. Rest In Peace Bob!
I think the original poster is smart to hear what others have experienced to think about in his attempts to better the best thing out there for tieing stuff down in your boats. But as OC Dave says, for a selling product the original is simple and a great value while at the same time old Scout makes a buck.

Techguy is doing this as a hobby for himself. Look at the young guys that in my mind perfected the Bob Dustrude saw.

Thanks for a little love.

I have been rather surprised at a few of the responses to my efforts. Thus I decided to quit posting any updates on my improvements.

I founded one semiconductor company, and was charter member of another. I am inventor on 39 granted patents...soon to be 40--none have to do with bungee cords. I have made my money already--but until I die, I will continue to invent--continue to innovate.

No hard feelings :-)

I'm in awe of inventors. I can come up with concept ideas, whether they're good or not is another story. But to actually make the product come to life amazes me. Thanks.

TechnoScout for sharing your love of innovation with us. I'd like to see the updates. This is after all a gear forum.

minnmike: " I'm in awe of inventors. I can come up with concept ideas, whether they're good or not is another story. But to actually make the product come to life amazes me. Thanks.

TechnoScout for sharing your love of innovation with us. I'd like to see the updates. This is after all a gear forum."

I will give you an update via email :-)

butthead: "...Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit, but I prefer to support Scott. Besides, I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next....
butthead"

Hey! Just picked up a package of neon pink ones at VNO. The brighter, the better! That way, I know that my ever-declining supply is not due to losses in the woods, rather to my sticky-fingered canoe companions... :-)

I bought some about 12 years ago and they are still working like new. I needed some a little longer, so I called Old Scout and had him make me a dozen that were 3 inches longer than his usual size. He seemed puzzled why I wanted some longer but he made them and didn't charge much more for them. Now I have two sizes and they pretty much bind anything I need.

I am very protective of my bungee dealy bobs and have only misplaced a couple over the years.

He will make custom lengths for you so don't be shy about asking.

Terry

When I bought BDBs, OldScout offered a 144 pack. The savings over smaller quantities was like a third the unit price. Suffice it to say I have a lifetime supply and will probably leave quite a few to my sons.

I live about 30 rods from Old Scout and get new ones all the time. I have about 50 of them in my home. I use them for cordage control in my house and office, and for all kinds of things. I have them all over my packs (Battle Lake packs) and always have half-a-dozen lashed to the thwarts of my canoe for different uses. Likely the greatest handy-dandy thing for tripping ever.

They can snap back at times if you don't pay close attention to how you close the spring-clip.

Mike

I re-upped with another 12 pack. I use them for plenty of situations outside of canoe camping. They are handy.

schweady: "

butthead: "...Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit, but I prefer to support Scott. Besides, I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next....
butthead"

Hey! Just picked up a package of neon pink ones at VNO. The brighter, the better! That way, I know that my ever-declining supply is not due to losses in the woods, rather to my sticky-fingered canoe companions... :-)
"

While I have never knowingly sticky-fingered any...I'm pretty sure I have "traded" a few over the years. And this year I resisted temptation (shouldn't have but i did) and didn't get any pink ones...

Ole: "

schweady: "

butthead: "...Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit, but I prefer to support Scott. Besides, I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next....
butthead"

Hey! Just picked up a package of neon pink ones at VNO. The brighter, the better! That way, I know that my ever-declining supply is not due to losses in the woods, rather to my sticky-fingered canoe companions... :-)
"

While I have never knowingly sticky-fingered any...I'm pretty sure I have "traded" a few over the years. And this year I resisted temptation (shouldn't have but i did) and didn't get any pink ones..."

No fingers directly pointed, Ole. :-) Always good to take every opportunity to add to the stash.

butthead: "No one has mentioned it but Old Scout Outdoor Products is a member of BWCA.com running a small scale cottage industry. A lot of the BDB's popularity is because he's local and a long time member.

Making your own is easy and you can make changes to fit, but I prefer to support Scott. Besides, I got him to use pink stretch cord and maybe lavender next.

And Scott is a super guy to know!

butthead"

I do the same thing, I have 54 BDBs and I will have more. Every time I got my order the shipping cost on the envelope was more than he charged me. There's a squillion uses for these things, and it's not like they cost a lot of money. But I must confess, I'm an Alabama fan so I won't buy blue or orange.

I picked up a similar product made by Berkley at Farm and Fleet a few months ago. They are working great so far.

TechnoScout, I really like the look of yours. They look like little martians trying to take over our world. My grandsons would love them. That being said, I still like Old Scout's too. I have never taken any of my paddling partner's BDBs. I just explain to them that at the end of every trip, I put two of them in the same storage pack, and by next year there are 6 of them.