Rub rails on Cats

[SeaKing]

I think the rub rails on a lot of production boats are installed to hide the hull to top sides joining area. I know our Voyage cat has NO seam at that connection. I have fenders to protect the hull sides when docking. I feel the boat is better built with it no being screwed together and hidden with a strip of rubber called a rub rail. That is my two cents. I saw the joining of hull halves at the factory in SA two years ago. You cannot even see where the hull joint was after the bots was completed

[colemj]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

I think the rub rails on a lot of production boats are installed to hide the hull to top sides joining area. I know our Voyage cat has NO seam at that connection. I have fenders to protect the hull sides when docking. I feel the boat is better built with it no being screwed together and hidden with a strip of rubber called a rub rail. That is my two cents. I saw the joining of hull halves at the factory in SA two years ago. You cannot even see where the hull joint was after the bots was completed

Yes, soft fairing compound covered by gelcoat does wonders for hiding that seam. It does not provide any additional strength or protection, however, over an external flange. You do have a seam.

External flanges can also be fully glued with adhesive and fiberglassed fully on both sides to form a monocoque (ours is) - with no screws required at all. The resulting flange makes a good connection point for a protective rubrail.

Docking isn't the only time rubrails are useful (and does anyone with rubrails really dock without any fenders?). Preventing damage from that boat dragging down on you is also useful. As is preventing damage from trading boats or immigration boats pulling alongside before you can get your fenders out.

Mark

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by SeaKing

I think the rub rails on a lot of production boats are installed to hide the hull to top sides joining area. I know our Voyage cat has NO seam at that connection. I have fenders to protect the hull sides when docking. I feel the boat is better built with it no being screwed together and hidden with a strip of rubber called a rub rail. That is my two cents. I saw the joining of hull halves at the factory in SA two years ago. You cannot even see where the hull joint was after the bots was completed

If you only ever come into contact with long flat sided docks, your theory works great.

Dock corners, pilings that extend clear of the docks walkway, etc... and not so much.

There is no perfect solution, we use fenders too but occasionally the rub rail does get some use.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

If you only ever come into contact with long flat sided docks, your theory works great.

Dock corners, pilings that extend clear of the docks walkway, etc... and not so much.

There is no perfect solution, we use fenders too but occasionally the rub rail does get some use.

I'd rely fender boards rather than the rub rail in those situations.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by StuM

I'd rely fender boards rather than the rub rail in those situations.

Once you are tied up they work OK but rather cumbersome while trying to dock.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Once you are tied up they work OK but rather cumbersome while trying to dock.

Good point.

[Zach]

I've installed BarBour Plastic rub rail on a charter cat. That started life with no rub rails. I want to say they were 2 7/8 half ovals. Worked great.

R1016 part number.

We drilled counter sunk holes in the hard plastic rails every 6 inches, held them up to the boat and spot drilled the boat, then came back and over bored the boat with thickened epoxy, re-drilled and tapped the holes. Buttered up the machine screws with thickened epoxy as they went back in, and used an impact driver with the clutch set to do the job.

No nuts on the inside, no leaks on the inside... Did it from a floating dock. 36 foot cat in 3 days. To do it that way you need something to drill into, the boat was wooden and had a sheer clamp thick enough to take the bolts. I liked working with the stuff, as it is mostly self fairing. With a heat gun and a piece of plywood as a layout jig you can shape it to follow down the stern steps too.

http://192.168.1.1:8181/http://barbo...inecatalog.pdf