Spray Rail Installation

[r2d2a]

If this topic already exists just let me know where to looked but I tried search and couldn't find anything.
I'm going to try to install a spray rail and am wondering if there are any instructions online or on this forum for doing so. I was looking at another boat that has a spray rail and was going to use it as an example but I noticed the bolts holding on the spray rail were not thru-bolted and there was no way to get to where they would be on the inside of the boat anyway. After seeing that I figured I would try to find some sort of instructions on this. It seems to me that they don't need to be thru-bolted but I don't have any idea what would hold it to the hull. If anyone has some advice let me know, thanks in advance.

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

hey r2d2a........glad you started this ; can I piggyback along with you? My bro-in-law has this 19ft glass boat that rides real "dirty" as we Newfs call it and anyone in the back gets soaked. We want also to add spray rails on but don`t know what to use or how to fix them on without drilling through. i hope you {we} get some replies .

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

Yeah feel free, glad I am not the only one who is unsure of how to do this. Thanks for reminding me too, I should have mentioned that it is a Shamrock but I have to double check the year and size. Also, I did purchase a spray rail already but will have to get the manufacturer's name just in case it is important. I read that there is one spray rail out there that you don't have to drill through the boat, that it is glued on by some sort of strong adhesive. This might help you http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/maintenance/spray-rails/ 3rd paragraph down. Had I not already purchased a spray rail I might have looked into this style.

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

ya I checked that link out , price is a bit hefty would cost about $1000. to do this boat that cost only double that.I was thinking of some solid type pvc like they put around the gunwales on this boat but sticking it is the problem.

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

I'm going to try and contact the company who makes the spray rail that I got. I'm assuming they would all pretty much end up being attached in the same way. The one I got is here http://www.tacomarine.com/item--2-1-16-x-1-7-16-Rigid-Spray-Rail--V21-0874.html So I'll contact TACO and see if they can send me anything, if so I will post.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

Hello r2d2a..

The thing is .. your not going ( I doubt ) get any hard answers out of Taco or anyone else in the forum thats going to tell you how to install a splash/spray rail without "screw and glue"

If your looking for some kind of adhesive to glue this taco on with No fasteners..then your kinda on your own ..

Only thing I can suggest is dry fit the rail..Prep the heck outa both surfaces..and use 5200..

Even then you might find yourself comeing back into port and find you have one side missing ..

Those things should be mounted and fastened/bedded correctly for optimal performance..

Good luck...

YD.

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

LOL, yeah that wouldn't be fun. I'm actually looking to do it with screws, I was kinda surprised to see an advertisement for one using only adhesive. The one that I purchased I'm assuming needs screws. I guess my main question is how to support the screws since where they will be screwed you can't get to inside the boat. Is there some sort of special anchor or something? Or am I supposed to aim for a certain spot that should have support there?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

So this install is going on a fiberglass boat ?..

YD.

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

Yes fiberglass

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

I spoke to someone at taco who said to find someone who knows what they are doing to talk to so that was no help. I asked someone else who has done a lot of boat repair who said it is basically the 5200 that holds the spray rail to the boat. He said to use self tapping screws right to the hull and 5200. Just thought I would put this out there to see what anyone thought.

 

[Peteco]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

I spoke to someone at taco who said to find someone who knows what they are doing to talk to so that was no help. I asked someone else who has done a lot of boat repair who said it is basically the 5200 that holds the spray rail to the boat. He said to use self tapping screws right to the hull and 5200. Just thought I would put this out there to see what anyone thought.

The two boats I've owned had the spray rail attached that same way from the factory.

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

Ok cool thanks, I guess thats what I'll be doing.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

Just a few quick notes.....

If you are making a rail out of PVC, use the outdoor gray grade, like what is used for electrical conduit. Rason being is that it will not deteriorate after long exposure to UV rays. It will hold paint just fine after a light sanding with 220.

The solid PVC facia boards available at the Home Depot and Lowes are great for making these kind of pieces that are not structural, and need to be rot-proof. The PVC boards glue up using PVC cement, so its easy to make complex shapes by gluing together simpler shapes. Makes fabrication easy with just a portable table saw. It will need painting to protect it from UV. Epoxy holds this stuff on amazingly well. In fact, the 1/4" sliding tempered side window glass on my hard top is only attached to the (fiberglass) boat by epoxying on PVC facia molding that I ripped to shape on a table saw. A few screws held it until the epoxy set. Boat has been pounded pretty good on the water, and the epoxy and PVC has held up fine. Those windows are very heavy.

If you use screws, I would put them through from the inside to outside of the boat.

Good luck!

This pic shows how a piece of PVC molding was ripped down to match the PVC window channel.

Here I'm holding the pieces that form the windows top track against the hard top.

And the finished window and channel. Those windows are heavy, and custom tempered glass is expensive..... So you know I made sure this was strong enough before hitting the water. Believe me, it will work for a spray rail.

 

[r2d2a]

Re: Spray Rail Installation

a lot of good info there, thanks