Rub Rails
 

Hey,

What are you guys putting on for rub rails? This the exact Taco replacement for what came off my 23'. I like that it looked a little "heavy duty" and indeed is probably pretty tough.

http://tacometals.com/marine/images/08-6.gif

The new 23's have a s/s insert, which looks pretty. The cap doesn't fit perfect all around and I feel I need the 2" to cover a "multitude of sins". Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

Otto

[ March 10, 2003, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Otto Cuyler ]

Re: Rub Rails
 

Otto-

Thank you for posting that section info as it is what I am also considering. I am torn between the SS insert and the one you have posted about. One issur with SS is it may dent if you "greet" a dock but the SS inserts are easily replacable and are avail as a solid piece instead of hollow. Its all up to your personal preference.

Re: Rub Rails
 

I was thinking that the SS rails would have less traction when "greeting" the dock and therefore less tendency to scoot around on one side like the rubber ones can. Denting is also a thought though...

Re: Rub Rails
 

Otto: I just put on the factory type SS insert, same as on the new 23's and it looks great. Though I have some reservations about denting (single inboard docking technique sometimes requires a "bump and run" approach) I think its a narrower looking profile and still covers the joint-I agree the other you reference is somewhat "chunky". Sounds like your making more progress than the weather!

Re: Rub Rails
 

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the replies. Your comments echo my thoughts. I'm going with the flexible vinyl rail shown above for three reasons. I't "original". It's heavy duty (I learned a long time ago to proactively "use" the piling to touch and go to control the bow in wind or current). Finally, it will cover the darned Tracker quality cap fit, which is tight on one side and 1/4" on the other. I bought several tubes of caulk in anticipation.

Here's poor Tom DAing bottom paint. Thank God for creepers, full face masks and Tyvek suits.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/SeaCraf...s/DSC03864.JPG

Regards,

Otto

Re: Rub Rails
 

Otto ...
Maybe I'm to late but here’s a rub rail supplier ....he will send samples if you ask nice [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I have found several rails (rigid vinyl with stainless insert) that fit your profile...

While I agree that the "soft" vinyl rails is more forgiving, dent proof and much easier to put on the boat I have seen a few jobs using that rub rail that are downright ugly !!! due to the rail wavering up and down as you look at the sheer line of the boat.

The rigid/with SS will help to eliminates that plus, my personal opinion , it dresses up the boat a whole bunch and looks real nice.....The other thing is that the rigid is just that ..RIGID and transfers that "bang into the pilings" across a larger area of the rail....reducing the stress/energy on the impact point and the “fragile” F/G behind it... the soft stuff doesn’t do that as well....and if “crunched” hard enough it can start crazing and spider cracks at the site that gets hit(I'm sure if you run into things hard enough it will not matter what you have on the rail!!!!!)...Unfortunately the past owner of mine proved that point (I have soft vinyl rails) and there is a spot on the gunwale cap that has lots of crazing....and on the rub rail there is evidence of an encounter with a pole (torn rubber and tell tale tar) Me… personally I would rather have to replace a $12.00 section of SS insert than have to look at crazed fiberglass. Additionally the rigid vinyl portion of the rail has a “crown” in it which fills the void in the SS rail ….. making it more difficult to dent .

It’s a personal opinion for sure .... and no matter what kind of rail you use try to stay away from those pilings !!!!!

[ March 11, 2003, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: Scott ]

Re: Rub Rails
 

Otto,

Here is another supplier you might consider. You can buy direct from them and they are the actual factory, so might be cheaper than buying from a distributor or retailer.

http://www.barbourplastics.com/vinyl.htm

Re: Rub Rails
 

Eric ..... Thats the people I was thinking about ....have you used them ???

Re: Rub Rails
 

Scott,

It's not too late and, darn it, your points are well taken. Now that you mention it, the flex vinyl that came off was "wavey", astetically challanged and caused a zillion spider cracks near the bow, of which we had to remove a 2' section of the cap, it was busted up so bad. The previous owner was Harvey Dockbanger.

I'm reconsidering, thanks. Does Robin know you're so smart?

Otto

Re: Rub Rails
 

Scott,

White or black with that stainless?

Otto

Re: Rub Rails
 

I went with the TACO stainless rub rail. It "may" bend after a sharp impact, but I don't want to the be the one driving the boat if/when that happens [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . Actually, I'm sure the SS rails will be plenty tough based on the installation work to get it in place. The hard vinyl 'under-rail' should give plenty of shock absorbing, and the stainless does look great -- just be sure to seat the screws well securing the SS insert...and have fenders when pulling up to another SeaCraft.

Re: Rub Rails
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">She only says so when we are in a Jewelry store [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] LOL

I didnt mean to confuse as there are pros and cons to both ...I personally prefer the looks of the stainless..

I'm sure you can get the flexible rail on straight, but one of the fiberglass guys that use to do alot of work on the boats I "played on" pointed out several of these things to me years ago, he was real "anal" about how his work turned out The thing I look at is that a lot of larger boats use the SS Rub Rail and when they "crash" into a piling ....well I think you get the idea.

Black or White ....I've seen both and like both… arguments for Black could easily be long term cosmetics .... as the White can get dirty and stained ....However (this is my opinion) the White looks great on a Yellow, Light Blue or any pastel colored hull with a "Bright" White topside.

Good luck ... What ever you and Salty come up with I'm sure will look great

Re: Rub Rails
 

Scott,

With the previous rail, as Otto said, it gave so much, and, due to the poor install of the cap it completely caved the port side gunwale that had to be refabricated. The bigger issue is that the gunwale around the bow of the boat on the bottom edge is almost 1 full inch away from the hull. We packed this gap with epoxy and chopped glass. It is strong as hell now, but I'm concerned that it is now a hard spot, when, if hit, could transfer damage to an otherwise sound area! I feel even though the rigid vinyl may be extremely utilitarian in it's looks, there is a lot of rubber there to absorb any possible impact. I'm not sure that the SS will spread out the force of an, "impact", with one of those darn pilings.

Any thoughts from the rest of the crew would be well received!

Salty Dog

Re: Rub Rails
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Scott,

Yup - I used them - I live near by, so I drove to the factory to get the stuff. I am not sure if they will send it out or not- probably will. I got the stiff plastic stuff, so they could not ship via UPS. I am very happy with the stuff and buying from them was much cheaper than from a retailer.

Re: Rub Rails
 

Scott,

Thanks for the comments. Your neutrality is deafening.

Jeff,

I hear ya and appreciate your decisiveness, but I'm stimied right now between the 2 choices. Tom thinks utility/versatility and I don't disagree. I like the looks/stainless perspective cause the boat is a class act and a tug boat rail will kinda spoil the effort.

You know, it also has alot to do with the driver of the boat and although I've had my crashes with the Carver (the sun was in my eyes), I'm otherwise pretty good with this size. This year, it looks like the prop may be in more danger due to projected low water on Lake Ontario (19" lower than last year). Oh, yea, icebergs too!

Thanks to all.

Otto

[ March 12, 2003, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Otto Cuyler ]

Re: Rub Rails
 

Tom and Otto: You guys are getting way to caught up in what MIGHT be more practical...thats not the point, what LOOKS better and might then also be practical? Go with the SS insert on black...forget that other rail style, please...