I'm interested to know why carbon steel boules should be oiled and what kind of oil should I use?

I just read the few articles posted about building your own court. I am putting together a package to present to my local park district. I am proposing to build the court if the city will help pay for some of the materials and all of the upkeep. I was wondering if anyone else had done this. I was also wanting to know what size to make it. All of the courts I used to play on in Belgium seemed to be the same size but of course I did not measure them. Thanks for the help.

The only reason I'm aware of for oiling carbon steel boules is to prevent rusting if they are being left unused for any length of time.

I don't think it's too important what sort of oil is used.

Carbon steel can rust quite quickly, e.g. overnight, if boules are left wet, so, if you don't want them to rust, best to dry them if there are wet.

Of course, some will argue that a light coating of rust improves the grip...

Given that the rules are quite strict about altering the boules' hardness or surface after manufacture, I'm not sure how legal this is?

Mike Pegg, again, please!

Tuukka Hursti wrote:
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I'm interested to know why carbon steel boules should be oiled and what kind of oil should I use?

Scott,
You have a great occasion to make the best petanque court there is. Just read again «Campaign for Real Pétanque Terrains!
By Ray Ager».

The best petanque court are not the ones with ropes/lines and solid boundaries. They are open courts, free courts, with no boundaries.

If the park has many trees, use that part of the park to play pétanque on, in between the trees.
Just remove the grass and lay some gravel on the ground. That's it! Anybody plays anywhere using the rule of 3 and 20 meters for the jack displaced.

Older people that will play in that park need and will appreciate the shade the trees provide.

Envying you,
Guy

Here in Brighton, UK, the Council built a very nice 40 x 15m terrain on the seafront.

I'm sure your offer to build it is an excellent idea. Ideally you need to find an 'Official' who will support your plans.

I would suggest trying to argue that you'll be creating an attractive, leisure-sport facility that will be low-cost to build and maintain and can be used by anybody.

Have a look at some of the postcards on this site for how attractive French terrains can be.

Whether or not you need trees for shade depends on the local weather conditions.

Make sure you send a photo of the new terrain!

Regards,

Ray Ager

Scott,

Where are you planning on making this proposal? I have a similar idea in mind for a proposal here in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Thanks,

Ryan Brown

Scott Cavanah wrote:
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I just read the few articles posted about building your own court. I am putting together a package to present to my local park district. I am proposing to build the court if the city will help pay for some of the materials and all of the upkeep. I was wondering if anyone else had done this. I was also wanting to know what size to make it. All of the courts I used to play on in Belgium seemed to be the same size but of course I did not measure them. Thanks for the help.

Scott Cavanah wrote:
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I just read the few articles posted about building your own court. I am putting together a package to present to my local park district. I am proposing to build the court if the city will help pay for some of the materials and all of the upkeep. I was wondering if anyone else had done this. I was also wanting to know what size to make it. All of the courts I used to play on in Belgium seemed to be the same size but of course I did not measure them. Thanks for the help.

Hi, I agree you have wonderful opportunity. I have been involved in a few such projects here in New Zealand.

At least here in NZ the biggest thing a council wants to know before proceeding is that it is going to get regular use. Hence, if your proposal includes the development of a club that is open to the community and has stated playing times my experience is that smooths the way considerably. You also need to think about whether you are going to be running competitions. If so you need a area big enough to hold twelve simultaneous games (720 sq m) but preferably enough to hold twenty simeltaneous games (1200 sq m). Also see if they will put in some seating and a covered area.

Useful for when it rains and also for putting out draw sheets. A bonus is if they can put in some lighting (I have always asked for enough for four terrains). Also a weather proof power point is a useful bonus.

Finally if possible get it placed in a natural surrounding, you don't want it looking like a bowling green idf you can avoid it.

Our own club terrain is on council land, they paid for all the development costs and cover all the maintenance costs too.

You will find some pictures of it at:
www.petanque.net.nz and www.petanque.netTournaments_and_Cancellations.html

Hope this helps.

Grant

Roy Andrew Dissmeyer wrote:
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Scott Cavanah wrote:
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I just read the few articles posted about building your own court. I am putting together a package to present to my local park district. I am proposing to build the court if the city will help pay for some of the materials and all of the upkeep. I was wondering if anyone else had done this. I was also wanting to know what size to make it. All of the courts I used to play on in Belgium seemed to be the same size but of course I did not measure them. Thanks for the help.