Chadd Padd

The Chadd Padds® are available in two sizes - the 10X10 & the 15X20. Which size is right for me? The biggest factor is the flow rate or speed at which the pump you normally use operates at. For most boaters and 89 octane users; the 10x10 is the best fit given that most gas pumps operate at around 6 gallons per minute; however, marinas with high-volume gas pumps or diesel users (which normally pump a little faster) will find the 15x20 to be the better fit.

In other words, the greater the chance or potential size of a spill, the bigger the Padd you should use so there is adequate absorption in place ahead of time – keeping in mind that 2, 10x10's can be used at the same time which is almost equal to 1, 15x20. In the end, the selection is really personal preference.

Rest assured, the partially perforated punch-outs or “hanging chadds” do not completely separate from the Padd even after being fully executed (hence the name)! This patent-pending design provides several important safety features:

1. When the perforated section is "revealed" & folded under, a clear opening is provided so the user can both see AND hear what is going on with the fueling or oiling up process. This is paramount in preventing a spill - if you can see & hear whats going on with your fuel port, you know when to let up before a spill begins to occur.

2. Because the "chadds" stay attached to the Padd - they do not create litter for the environment; no little circular “doughnut holes” to blow around the docks or water-ways.

3. When the "chadd" is folded under during use, it also provides for double the padding and absorption right at the base of the filler port where it is needed the most!

4. Again, because the “hanging chadd” stays attached to the Padd, you haven’t lost any absorption capabilities that you once had before the punch-out was revealed. This feature compounds the functionality of the Chadd Padd® since you can also uses it as a standard drip mat or similar where having a hole in the Padd wouldn't make much sense for that type of application.

The 10X10
Each 10x10 “Preferred Design” (standard issue) Chadd Padd® has one partially perforated punch-out imbedded in the upper quadrant of the Padd. This offset allows for fueling versatility and the size of the “hole” in the Padd will fit almost all filler ports. The user simply executes or reveals the perforated opening when the Padd is to be used as a bib or fuel mat when fueling or adding oil. If no petroleum is spilled, the Padd can be used over again or thrown away. When the Padd is intended to be used as a drip mat - it is not nessesary to reveal the perforated hole but even if it is, it will work just the same because the “chadd” stays attached and no absorption potential is lost.

The 15X20
Each 15x20 “Preferred Design” (standard issue) Chadd Padd® has two different sized, partially perforated punch-outs that are offset for fueling versatility. This design also has two different colored “chadds” to help identify preferred use – the larger black perf can be used for Diesel and the smaller, blue perf can be used for gasoline or whichever size fits the fuel port the best. This unique, dual-quadrant layout gives the refueler countless options for Padd orientation in order to accommodate the various locations and layouts of fuel ports that are common among boats today.

Wind Chocks™

Because of their size, the 15x20’s are also recommended to be used in conjunction with Wind Chocks™ which are a must in windy applications. These flexible rubber bars are crimped onto the padd as the user sees fit and keeps the padd weighted and in place when used in winds up to 20 knots. They give the Chadd Padd® stability and more overall versatility due to the many ways they can be applied and used. In addition to this, the Wind Chocks™ also provide an added cushion of protection to the surface of the vessel being fueled by helping to keep the filler hose and couplings elevated off of the boat altogether, thus providing further protection from damage to the gel-coat, paint, or other vessel materials.

The Chadd Padds® are anti-static treated and hydrophobic (repels water) which means they won’t disarm when fueling in the rain, snow, or on a wet surface. This is important as the Padds won’t fill up with water and will remain ready to catch any petroleum that they come in contact with. Because of this waterproof effect, they are also perfect to keep in the bildge where they will float and soak up any gas or oil before being pumped overboard. Take the proactive approach to environmental refueling safety instead of the reactive one! Help keep the “rainbow” out of the water.

How It Came To Be -

The Chadd Padd® was originally developed for use in the aviation industry by “linemen” - the aviation term for the people who refuel aircraft on the flight line. The main reason for this was because until the Chadd Padd® was invented, all that the aviation industry had to use to protect the aircraft they were refueling were rubber mats. Because the “official” fuel mats (over priced rubber) were so expensive, folks started to get crafty by cutting holes in car floor mats and front door welcome mats to try and accomplish the same. The mats (no matter which ones were used) were often dirty from prior fuel spills which made them tacky and caused them to attract dirt and grit, similar to salting the rim of a margarita glass. The linemen were then expected to use these gritty mats for “protection” of the aircraft’s surface and paint from any damage that the refueler may accidentally cause with the hose nozzle and/or couplings.

It didn’t take long for the industry to realize that it was better off by sometimes using nothing at all. The linemen would use rags to set the cap on the plane’s surface and hold their hand under the hose couplings to try to prevent damage to the paint. This method worked some of the time but was more of a matter of “not if but when” something would happen as it often did. Neither of these halfway methods lent a solution to the most serious potential problem of all – spilt petroleum. If petroleum was spilled, fueling ceased as the HAZMAT clean up took place. This method of waiting to spill before countermeasures are put in place is now a thing of the past, thanks to the Chadd Padd® - where refueling safety now takes the proactive approach, not the reactive one.

These refueling safety concerns are just as important in the marine industry if not more due to the element of water being in play. We all know water is more dense than petroleum which is why fuel and oil float on water, creating that “sheen.” Aside from making it very difficult to clean up, the spilt petroleum also has a faster and harsher effect on the marine environment verses land for obvious reasons. This is why the Chadd Padds® are such a necessity with boat refueling. By using a Chadd Padd® each time refueling takes place two potential threats are dissolved; first, the fuel cap and nozzle damage to the paint / gel coat are a thing of the past. Secondly, and most important is that they help to ensure that no fuel or petroleum will find its way into our marine environment. This is paramount to any marina or fuel dock operation. The Chadd Padds® are also hydrophobic, which means they're waterproof & float and are good for cleaning up any spilt petroleum on the water if someone didn’t use a Chadd Padd® in the first place. They are also great in the bilge to ensure only petroleum-free water is pumped out.

The Chadd Padd® – the Water Wise™ approach to refueling safety!