I've installed rub rails on several boats, 34 to 37 footers, big, heavy and they looked good.
On my current 34 foot trawler, the rub rail is 3 1/2 inches deep and 3 inches thick. It is made from two 1 1/2 inch layers of wood, glued and screwed to the boat. If gluing the layers to the boat is not an option, then bedding it well and screwing it would also work.
Each layer cut and shaped before being installed. Also, if the boat is too shapely, then more, but thinner layers can be used.
To design a rail that looks good, on your boat, take a picture of your boat, enlarge it, make copies of the enlargement and draw in different size rails until you find one that looks good, or at least OK.
The rails should be beveled, top and bottom, they can taper towards one or both ends and the ends can also be beveled. The rail can also be faced with flat bar or half-round.
They are easily installed with sufficient A-frames, 2 X 8 scaffolding and two people, with a few well placed ropes to support one end of the rail. I've been able to install these rails by myself, but this was always on new construction where clamps were also easily used.
I like wood rails because it is inexpensive, readily available, easy to work and easily repaired.
Rudy and Jill Sechez
On Briney Bug in Sanford, Fl- a traveling repair shop
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Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.
I've installed rub rails on several boats, 34 to 37 footers, big, heavy and they looked good.
On my current 34 foot trawler, the rub rail is 3 1/2 inches deep and 3 inches thick. It is made from two 1 1/2 inch layers of wood, glued and screwed to the boat. If gluing the layers to the boat is not an option, then bedding it well and screwing it would also work.
Each layer cut and shaped before being installed. Also, if the boat is too shapely, then more, but thinner layers can be used.
To design a rail that looks good, on your boat, take a picture of your boat, enlarge it, make copies of the enlargement and draw in different size rails until you find one that looks good, or at least OK.
The rails should be beveled, top and bottom, they can taper towards one or both ends and the ends can also be beveled. The rail can also be faced with flat bar or half-round.
They are easily installed with sufficient A-frames, 2 X 8 scaffolding and two people, with a few well placed ropes to support one end of the rail. I've been able to install these rails by myself, but this was always on new construction where clamps were also easily used.
I like wood rails because it is inexpensive, readily available, easy to work and easily repaired.
Rudy and Jill Sechez
On Briney Bug in Sanford, Fl- a traveling repair shop
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Get your own web address.
Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.
