I have realized that i will not have enough money to get the spray rails i want (the taco vinyl one), so i have decided to use wood and take a router to it to create the same effect that the taco rub rail would have. My question is: what is a good solid wood that can bend a little. it doesnt need to bend much, just a little towards the bow. also, i have included a photo of my boat, a hewes that has something similar to what i want, and the rough dimensions of the spray rails. Someone please give me something to work with. I am more than annoyed with spray (at every speed). Also, i planning to put the rails at the chine that runs down the middle of the sides of the boat.
They are a bunch a wooden boat ideologues, but, there is a wealth of knowledge on the forums at woodenboat.com.
They’ll rag you about your plastic boat, but, they’ll know better than anyone else what wood would work best. And, some of them are real misers who would appreciate the “do it well, but do it inexpensively” ethic.
I’ll put in an idea. I’m rebuilding a 26’ inboard in my back yard, and everywhere I can use it, I’m using the polyurethane lumber. Not PVC, but polyurethane. Rather than solid plastic like the PVC, it has tiny pore holes like wood… just all the holes the same size. The stuff cuts, screws, nails, and paints very nicely. And it bends easily to give nice fair lines…maybe to easily for some applications. Unfortunately, it only comes 1" x 6". But, you might be able to come pretty close your drawing with a little table saw work.
If you want a wood that is HARD and will stand TONS of abuse IPA. It is rot proof, you will have to drill everything, and maybe have to steam it to bend it. I promise you won’t wear it in two…
I would think you could use cypress, should be able to find it locally at a good lumber yard. I have a 18-Hewes with the spray rails, and the rails help alot. My biggest concern would be drilling the holes in the hull and getting into material stong enough to hold the rails on. Would plan on using some 5200 or something similar, just make sure it binds to wood and fiberglass.
thanks for all the ideas…i know that i will be thru bolting…and using a backing plate on the inside of the hull with 5200 to seal everything up and for strength. Contender, any way i can get a pic of your boat and the rails? or anyone else for that matter.
Pretty sure i could use starboard, and i know that i can get it, but its expensive too, and the place that i was directed to downtown never got back with me because i was a commercial customer. i like the idea of starboard more than anything else, but dont think that is a realistic option
real poor mans spray rails can be made out of pvc pipe ripped in half and thru bolted to side of boat, have seen this on some home made boats, not sure if I’d put something like that on a boat like yours tho. with a wood piece you coud prolly glue it and screw it from the back side without having to thru bolt.
Wood is not really suitable for this application. Even if you use Epa, like ReelShock suggested, it won’t hold up to the rigors of being a “rub-rail”. Plus if you’re not familiar with using Epa, get ready for some lessons in “HARD-WOOD” working. A lot more work without much benefit. Find something more plyable, and shock resistant than wood, before spending too much time, and money! JMHO Seeya, Scott
I’ll reiterate my suggestion to check out the polyurethane lumber. It will bend very nicely but will be stiff enough to hold a fair line. It will not rot. It will cut, route, drill, sand, glue, screw, and through bolt nicely. It will hold paint and usually comes primed. And, is about the same cost as a good rot resistant wood… a lot cheaper than some. It is not as hard/durable as oak would be and harder than pine. 'Might be a good mix of characteristics.
Next time you’re at Home Depot, grab a board. Take it home and run a saw through it. Drill a couple of holes. Glue it together with some polyurethane construction adhesive and you’ll never get it apart. (Not sure if that adhesive would stick to gel coat. If I used the polyurethane lumber, I think I would bed it in 3M 5200.)
i am familiar with woodworking…not worried bout that, my grandfather is pretty much a master carpenter, and my dad a civil engineer. i think thats under control. on wooden boats they use wood for this, why not on mine? thanks palmer scott i am heading to lowes and home depot at lunch today. i gonna check that stuff out. i just dont wanna get soaked anymore…almost to the point of sellin the dam thing. also, got a 18’ stiffy push pole FOR SALE 175
Epa sinks, I try to keep my stuff on top!! If you’re not familiar with this product, don’t use it for a rub-rail please! It is so hard to work with. If you do decide, then go for it! Buy plenty of Epa blades (45.00 each) and let us know how it was for you. I am a “Master Carpenter”, just trying to sway you into another, and easier direction. The choice is yours my friend. Seeya, Scott
Why not build your spray rail out of okume, glass the whole thing, prep the hull, and glass to hull? Create some 3/4"x3/4" battons and make a template, build your part but leave it thicker than you want so you could scribe to the hull. A little bit of fairing compound, primer and a paint job and you be spray railin in style. Guys in maine fasten spray rails to their lobster boats to create a chine that gets semi-planing boats up out of the water.
“If you had to tell someone how good you are, then you probably aren’t that good”
