Rub rail

[JasonB]

Anyone ever use rope as a replacement rubrail? I want to replace the battered rubrail on my bowrider but anew $200 rubrail isn't in the budget and would be too easy. I'm thinking of using some 3/4" or so braided (nylon??) rope at Home Depot I found for about $0.30 a foot or about $15 to do the whole boat. I like the way it looks and fits well. I would probably use a small bead of silicon to hold it in. Think it will work out? At $15, I could replace it every year or two and not be too upset The boat is stored under a cover and is not used in salt water.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Rub rail

I've never done it but it has been done, and it works. Go fer it.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[katbird]

Re: Rub rail

JasonB<br />I used rope on my boat and it worked fine.I used the 1/2" nylon and it fit into the track perfect and also used a tube of waterproof polyurethane adhesive in a caukling gun.you can look at the bottom of this forum at project complete.....konron and see what it looks like.

 

[pjc]

Re: Rub rail

you can change texture and color too depending on mood--------<br />anyhoo--sounds good!!

 

[JasonB]

Re: Rub rail

C-M, did you glue it all the way around, or in spots and let the tension of the rope hold it between the glue spots?

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Rub rail

You have to glue rope in a continuous bead or it will sag between the spots where it is glued. There are a lot options for glue, so think about how long you want the rope rub rail to last. If you use silicone adhesives (test thier ability to bond to the rope) they are easy to pull of in the event you need to replace the rope. If you go Rambo and use liquid nails, forget EVER getting the rope or the glue off the boat.<br /><br />All that aside, rope rub rails are beautiful. I swa one that was spliced at the bow that was awesome. The rope was tight all the way around the boat. The guy pulled the rope tight around the boat, marked it and shortened it a bit and spliced it together, then stretched it into place with the splice centered on the point at the bow. <br /><br />Best wishes for your project

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Rub rail

Jason... Check out the carpet section at HomeDepot... They have(at least my HD does) aluminum sections about 1 1/2" X 12' with holes for screws about every 6"... I think the stuff is for holding down the edge of carpet like at a seam and it ain't too awful expensive... I dunno... Might just make a good rubrail..<br /><br />Just a thought..

 

[JasonB]

Re: Rub rail

Thanks Snapper. My existing aluminum channel is workable, I just need to replace the rubber insert with something. I have another idea for the stuff you are referring to though.<br /><br />Necessity is the mother of invention....

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Rub rail

I kinda like the idea of the rope rubrail thing. Makes me want to take my rubrail off and convert to rope. I have to take it off anyway and put it back on, it was cool out when I put it on, so it wouldn't stretch, and ended up over a foot too short. I don't see why a screw with washer spaced every foot or so wouldn't work. You could put a curve on the washer and use tapered head screws, it would look pretty slick, and very nautical. i have seen rope rubrails, and they do look pretty cool. If you do it, post pics so we can see....

 

[wallbanger2]

Re: Rub rail

I love you guys. You are always giving me ideas to save money. I was really worrying about what it was going to cost to replace mine... but now lol.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Rub rail

I'll be picking up the rope this afternoon so hopefully I can get it done in the next few days. I like the idea of screws, but I think I will go with glue as I will have to "massage" (read smush) the rope to get it to fit the channel the way I want. I will definetly get before/after pics. This time of year, I start getting ideas and creative for winter projects ;-)

 

[katbird]

Re: Rub rail

JasonB Here is a picture of my rope rub rail.If you have any questions e-mail me at ronregan@hci.net.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Rub rail

C-M-Fish, very good looking rope. A note of caution to those who are intereste in using rope for this purpose, the multi colored ropes this are sensitive to UV and will bleach rapidly if left uncovered.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Rub rail

OK finally got some before/after pics uploaded. Ignore the fact the boat needs buffing. Spring project.... Anyway, I used some 5/8" rope from Lowe's and some $2 a tube clear silicone to hold it in. I had to expand the rope a bit by bunching it up a slight bit so it would fill the channel, then use some tape to hold it until the silicon dried. Very happy with the results for $22 and about 30 minutes. <br /><br />Before:<br />

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<br /><br />After:<br /><br />

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