Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

I agree 100% with what you guys are saying. It is disappointing as a new builder to see a boat launched and never hear from the boat or the builder again. Sometimes when they start another build they come back but not to many. I like to read about the adventures of the BOATS as much as the builder after the build. Wish more would post more post launch posts!

I am putting spray rails on Clara. I have a 1.5" x 3/4" x 194" piece of white ash left over from the gunwales on the first cedar strip canoe I built. In my experience the spray comes up from about the middle of the console and aft to the stern. I measured that and got 97"n before I measured the piece of ash, so I have just enough to make spray rails on both sides. Will 3/4" sticking out, just below the style line be enough to send the water out? I plan to sand the hull down along that line and glue it on using straps or temporary screws. Will be easier to make the bend if 3/4" is sufficient. Otherwise I will need to kerf it and probably use more than just epoxy to get it to hold. The boat needs a repaint (the clear coat is peeling) so I am planning on just sealing it with epoxy and a coat of varnish for now. Annual trip to Cape Sable is a week from now...

capeman,

I'm thinking 3/4" won't be enough, I'm thinking more like at least 1 1/2" I think thats what mine are. I don't think you want to go to all the work putting them on just to find out you have to do it again
But then again without testing I don't know if 3/4 is enough or not???????

Larry B

I was just posting a response with your build Larry! You said yours protruded 1 7/8" from the side. Here's the you tube video from it running as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhRi4ZEaSnA

Will

Craig,
I just went out and measured, They are pretty close to 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 inch. I don't get any water in my boat

cape man wrote: ↑Wed Dec 26, 2018 4:25 pm I am putting spray rails on Clara......

Love it! You've been wanting to do it for some time. Go man, go, and enjoy!

I put 1 1/2 " on my boat and they work great.

Thanks Larry, Will, Topwater, and Michael.

It was a trip up the Kenai river in August with Fuzz and his wife that confirmed the value of spray rails on an OD18. I called him yesterday to get the dimensions of his. He made them with angle iron to form the glass and epoxy. They stick out...ready...drum roll...about 3/4"! They worked really well, in perhaps the coldest water I have fished in.

I leaned over the side while he was running and also saw that the spray was coming up just aft of midship on his as well. It will be a real PITA to remove them if they don't work, but I'm going to go for it. 8.5' on each side going forward from transom.

I'll post pics of the construction and performance.

Cape Man, yes, please send photos as this sounds like a really unique process!! Happy Holidays to you guys!! Jeff

Awesome! That's gonna be a HUGE addition to Clara

Will