Caprail options

[GILow]

Hi all,

We will soon remove the 30ish meters or crumbling teak that was the the caprail on our old Kelly Peterson.

The plan had been to replace the caprail with a nice utilitarian aluminium toe rail. Alas, that stuff is unobtanium in Oz.

So I’m looking for ideas. Wood is NOT an option. I’m removing ALL exterior timber on the boat (I’ve removed all the non structural interior timber) because I’ve got better things to do than spend my days varnishing tree offcuts.

I’m thinking either a synthetic timber of some sort or an aluminium profile. Or something else?

Suggestions? Photos?

Matt

[Jammer]

You might consider a wood caprail with a layer of uni epoxied on top of it and then painted. I like Douglas Fir, reasonably rot resistant and can be found in reasonably long lengths with few knots. Easy DIY project and will last for years with minimal maintenance.

Uni tape is unfortunately not readily available, so you have to buy wider cloth and cut it down.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct-detail/7666


Edited to add: U.S. Composites sells uni tape.

[grantmc]

Ullrich Aluminium NZ extrude such items, either standard from their catalogue, or they will do custom runs. They have branches in the land Oz.
www.ullrich-aluminium.co.nz

Standard Marine Product List

[GILow]

Originally Posted by grantmc

Ullrich Aluminium NZ extrude such items, either standard from their catalogue, or they will do custom runs. They have branches in the land Oz.
www.ullrich-aluminium.co.nz

Standard Marine Product List

Yes, I got all hopeful about them.

But unless I want 500 kg of the stuff I’m sh-t out of luck. I spoke to them last week.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Jammer

You might consider a wood caprail with a layer of uni epoxied on top of it and then painted. I like Douglas Fir, reasonably rot resistant and can be found in reasonably long lengths with few knots. Easy DIY project and will last for years with minimal maintenance.

Uni tape is unfortunately not readily available, so you have to buy wider cloth and cut it down.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct-detail/7666


Edited to add: U.S. Composites sells uni tape.

Interesting idea. Thank you. Filed as an option.

[RaymondR]

I used 20 mm x 40 mm RHS section aluminium for toe rails rather than timber on my steely previous boat. I had already machined up sheoak timber toe rails but fortunately had not gotten around to fitting them before discovering the folly of wood on deck in the Australian climate. I U bolted them to the staunchens and found it very handy as I could loosen the U bolts and slide the rails up to maintain the deck under them.

Didn't look too intrusive.

[wholybee]

Is plastic decking available in OZ? The stuff homeowners build decks with instead of wood. It's a recycled plastic molded into boards that vaguely looks like wood, can be cut, nailed, screwed like wood, and can be painted. Maybe you could heat it and bend it like wood, but probably you would need some clever joinery to get the curves.

[Mickeyrouse]

I haven’t noticed anything in this thread about Starboard. It’s not to my taste, but I can appreciate why many ex-varnishers have adopted it, though I don’t know about its availability south of the equator. I have seen it though. It works similarly to wood, comes in longish (8ft?) sections, is glueable and in various color choices, including brown.

[Montanan]

They have 6 meter sections of toe rail and the end accessories.

https://www.southernseasmarine.com.au/toe-rails


Southern Seas Marine
OFFICE, SHOWROOM AND WAREHOUSE:
Gold Coast City Marina. (Front Row of Shops)
Unit A6 /58 Waterway Drive
Coomera QLD 4209.
A.B.N. 18 449 682 438



Telephone
0755029666

Fax
0755029777

Opening Times
Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:30pm

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Montanan

They have 6 meter sections of toe rail and the end accessories.

https://www.southernseasmarine.com.au/toe-rails


Southern Seas Marine
OFFICE, SHOWROOM AND WAREHOUSE:
Gold Coast City Marina. (Front Row of Shops)
Unit A6 /58 Waterway Drive
Coomera QLD 4209.
A.B.N. 18 449 682 438



Telephone
0755029666

Fax
0755029777

Opening Times
Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4:30pm

Alas, not any longer.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by RaymondR

I used 20 mm x 40 mm RHS section aluminium for toe rails rather than timber on my steely previous boat. I had already machined up sheoak timber toe rails but fortunately had not gotten around to fitting them before discovering the folly of wood on deck in the Australian climate. I U bolted them to the staunchens and found it very handy as I could loosen the U bolts and slide the rails up to maintain the deck under them.

Didn't look too intrusive.

On the ideas list now, thank you.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by wholybee

Is plastic decking available in OZ? The stuff homeowners build decks with instead of wood. It's a recycled plastic molded into boards that vaguely looks like wood, can be cut, nailed, screwed like wood, and can be painted. Maybe you could heat it and bend it like wood, but probably you would need some clever joinery to get the curves.

Yes, this one is on our list to try. I’m actually experimenting with them on the old boat as rub rails and they are GOOD. Actually quite flexible, almost “floppy”. And yes, super easy to work with, behave very nicely under the router for a start. Haven’t tried the planer yet.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Mickeyrouse

I haven’t noticed anything in this thread about Starboard. It’s not to my taste, but I can appreciate why many ex-varnishers have adopted it, though I don’t know about its availability south of the equator. I have seen it though. It works similarly to wood, comes in longish (8ft?) sections, is glueable and in various color choices, including brown.

Interesting idea, thank you. Haven’t worked with it myself, but people seem to sing its praises. I’ll check it out.

[GILow]

An update for those searching toerails in Oz. I did find them

Seems like a good outfit, very responsive and with a decent selection of profiles.

Sheerline Masts, Brookvale, NSW.

Alas, waaaay out of my price range, but my budget is pretty mean.

I’ll plug on with the options suggested above.