Cap rail covers

[Rodeo44]

Am new to this forum. Forgive me if this is a redundant post. I don’t seem to see other posts that addresses this issue. Would like to avoid putting snaps into the fiberglass and canvas. I’ve read that pvc cut in 1 inch sections and notched will hold the canvas down fairly well. Other considerations are weight on each side of the Cap rail sewn into the canvas. Has anybody tried metal clips? Or any other types of materials to hold the canvas to the rail? Thanks.

[sanibel sailor]

My toe rails are trapezoidal, narrower at top. Have not tried PVC pipe. I use spring clamps from Harbor Freight. About a buck fifty each, keep them on a ply carrier when not in place. I keep a few extras aboard as one is occasionally lost. Occasional squirt of WD40 keeps the springs working in spite of rust.

[Painted Skies]

Without seeing your toe rails it is difficult to know exactly what will work for you in regards to securing covers over them.

I made my toe rail covers using the same design as we used at The Ship's Tailor in Deltaville when I worked there. I placed pencil zincs (which can be purchased at most fishing shops) inside the facing every 12 inches along the deck side of the cover then used leech line ties at each stanchion. On the hull side of the covers I needed it to extend over the teak rubstrake, so was able to use snaps on the underside of the rubstrake to secure it. If you don't need the extra length, then pencil zincs work well on the outside. When we lived on the Chesapeake, I used small Sunbrella bags loaded with sand (inside a sandwich bag) that clipped onto grommets placed along the hem.

Hope this helps. Cheers, Katherine

[sanibel sailor]

Looks nice. Mine is just Sunbrella strips, not even hemmed.

[jibstay]

I use this on my cap rail every summer in the tropics:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...-6-x-600-White

I remove it in October. I only have to varnish every 3 years.

I’ve heard that applying Permanon at full strength over varnish will protect it for several years, but I haven’t tried it yet.

[Rodeo44]

Decided to try 4" PVC cut into 3 inch length with one cut. I tried small pieces but they didn't have much strength. Primed and painted black to sort of go with a dark canvas. Also, the canvas was cut to wrap around the stanchion and velco together. I will put the PVC between each Stanchion. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post pics when I return from our next cruise.

[WinterSailor]

Originally Posted by jibstay

I use this on my cap rail every summer in the tropics:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...-6-x-600-White

I remove it in October. I only have to varnish every 3 years.

I’ve heard that applying Permanon at full strength over varnish will protect it for several years, but I haven’t tried it yet.

I also store my boat in the summer sun in the tropics, which requires revarnishing annually or a cover of some sort. I ordered some of the uline tape. I will also try it on the rub rail of my Crealock 34. I use Cetol light and gloss, and need to varnish annually, which gets old, though the appearance is great.

[antoha]

i know it's an old thread, but thought i'd add photos of my project which i finally completed. took inspiration from the advice of Painted Skies - thanks for your suggestions in the PM.

[sanibel sailor]

When it comes to a pretty hull, it is hard to beat Bill Tripp, Jr.

[antoha]

Thank you! And a square mile of teak to varnish

[Rumrace]

I call it a “ French Cleat” from hanging a floating stereo cabinet to hanging pictures to clipping on a Bimini edge. Just nylon strips attached to the cabin roof and hook sewn into the canvas. I have only made one set in 3D printing. I don’t like normal nylon. It’s hard to work with and weak on UV resistance. I used a PC Nylon so overkill on strength. You’d want a custom rolled edge on both halves of the clip. There are a few designs you can look up at 3D print web sites. Yeggi .com good search engine. The one I used has a line elongated canvas clip with 10 stitching holes. The hull side was very thin. You could print it with a glue on base or screw on.

[antoha]

To secure the canvas to the outside of the hull I used YKK glue on snaps called Snads. No drilling, self adhesive. One batch I bought didn’t stay glued very well, others did.