cutting my toe rail

[scoobert]

my toe rail is solid, and has no breaks in it. when it rains, the water sits on it until it evaporates. is there any harm in cutting a few drainage channels in it at the low spots?

[Cheechako]

If you have one continuous toerail.. wow.. lucky you. I cant say there is any reason you cant cut it, but something in me says "dont do it". I have seen boats with little through hulls in the deck (or scuppers) and a short hose to one in the hull side to solve the problem. The toe rail is anodized, the cut wont be.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

If you have one continuous toerail.. wow.. lucky you. I cant say there is any reason you cant cut it, but something in me says "dont do it". I have seen boats with little through hulls in the deck (or scuppers) and a short hose to one in the hull side to solve the problem. The toe rail is anodized, the cut wont be.

yep, here it is.


could i drill a small hole thru the wood that goes fully underneath the rail?
i am afraid the water may soak thru the wood and find a leak if left unchecked.

[JPA Cate]

Unless the deck is spongy at the low spot, don't mess with it. The proper way to fix it (IMO) would be to lift the toe rail, create limber holes for draining it about every 2 ft. or so along from a little forward of the lower shrouds to just aft of the cockpit, and replace toe rail. A way big job, for what you can pick up with one swipe of the sponge. Of course, if the deck is spongy, then you're about to learn about deck repairs. Good luck.

[Sailmonkey]

Cutting the rail is fine, it does not affect the integrity of the hull, but only make a small cut between the fastening screws.

[Tayana42]

Originally Posted by scoobert

my toe rail is solid, and has no breaks in it. when it rains, the water sits on it until it evaporates. is there any harm in cutting a few drainage channels in it at the low spots?

Try contacting Tayana in Taiwan. They may be able to tell you what good solutions have been found for your boat type. Wilson is very knowledgable and helpful and he replies in English. wilsonchang421@gmail.com or tayangco@ms15.hinet.net

[rw58ph]

I cut drain holes in the Eagle solid rails. Then epoxy a piece of PBC through the holes so water could not soak into the railing. The out side is about 1” longer so a white hose can be attached to drain the water away from the hull, and not run down the side of the boat. No more grey streaks. I also added gutter to the salon roof with white hose drain so the water does not run down the house.

[ka4wja]

Scoobi,
Usually there is no harm and assuming you do it correctly, you should have no issues....

Originally Posted by scoobert

my toe rail is solid, and has no breaks in it. when it rains, the water sits on it until it evaporates. is there any harm in cutting a few drainage channels in it at the low spots?

But, as others have said....
a) Most toerails are anodized and after you drill/cut the exposed aluminum will not be...and you may not like the resultant chalkiness, possible corrosion, etc...
b) Not knowing the structure of your toerail and hull-deck joint, etc. it's impossible for me to make a 100% recommendation, so I second the thought of contacting Tayana, or a Tayana owners group, for vessel specific info/recommendations...
c) You may just want to put up with a few deck puddles from time to time....heck it is a sailboat, and the deck IS designed to get wet!!


But again, assuming you do it correctly (do not mess with your hull-deck joint, and do not drill thru wood that you cannot epoxy well), you should do fine...
And, while I've not have an issue with mine, here is a photo of what a friend did with his toerails (as he was bothered by the puddles on the deck)....if you applied some anodizing paint after drilling, this procedure seems like a decent way of doing it...





I hope this helps...


Fair winds and good luck...



John
s/v Annie Laurie

[hellosailor]

You've got aluminum toerails over teak decking, right?

The aluminum is impervious and the teak doesn't care about water--if you have maintained it properly. Drilling holes would range somewhere between pointless and butchery, honest.

All you need to do is apply oil to the teak, or seal it. You'll find lots of debate on how to live with teak. personally I find that oiling it with a 'teak oil' or lemon oil is all it needs to keep it in good shape. The water will evaporate or roll off without causing any damage.

Holes? Will just create new places to trap water and dirt, leave streaks running down where they drain over the side, new opportunities for rot and splits. Just get a sponge mop and oil the decks once in a while. (Sparingly, not soaking. It will soak in overnight.)

[Tayana42]

Scoobert,
A non-invasive simple solution might be the best and cheapest idea. I also have a continuous aluminum toe rail, although my deck is fiberglass not teak. What I do I learned from someone on this forum but I'm sorry I don't remember who. It is this. Cut a strip of cheap microfiber cloth (imitation shamois) a few inches wide and 6 or 8 inches long. Stuff one end through the slotted toe rail in the area that water puddles. Let the other end hang over the side a few inches below the toe rail. It will wick away the water to an amazing degree and will dry itself out in the sun. Use as many as you need. I use two on each side. They don't last forever but they are cheap.