11" Garvey

[Joan]

I´d like to put a drain-hole in my !!´ Garvey nearing completion. What typ of fixture is recommended and where can I buy one. <BR><BR>Also I would like to put a rubber gunwhale strip as this boat will be used as a yacht tender. What would you recommend - other than the very expensive stripping sold for docks etc and where can I buy it?<BR><BR>Thanks

[JerryF]

Joan,<BR><BR>On my GV11, I used a drain plug from West Marine (www.westmarine.com), they have several types. You could use a simple brass tube epoxied in place with an expandable stopper or the screw- in type of fitting. I put in a screw- in plastic fitting with a "keeper" that holds the drain plug loosely in place when unscrewed so you don´t misplace it. I used 3M 5200 sealant. <BR><BR>For an inexpensive rubrail material, consider a bit of 3 strand nylon line attached along the sides.<BR>

[Evan_Gatehouse]

Joan,<BR><BR>Jerry is correct. There are a lot of inexpensive types of drain plugs available from many boat/marine stores. Just be sure to coat the hole you drill with 2 coats of epoxy and let them harden before installing the fitting.<BR><BR>I agree that commercial rubstrips are ridiculously expensive. I´ve used a variety of materials:<BR><BR>- used (surplus) rubber rubstrip screwed to gunwhale - worked o.k. but maybe hard to find<BR><BR>- thick 1" diameter rope, lashed in place with smaller twine - heavy, and required lots of holes to be drilled but looks nice.<BR><BR>- finally made my own rubrail. Very easy if you have a sewing machine: <BR><BR>Get some foam pipe insulation from the hardware store. You will need 12´ or more, depending if you wish to cover the bow or not. Cut the pipe insulation in half opposite it´s pre-existing slit so you have two "C" shaped halves.<BR><BR>Go to the local fabric store and find some tough cheap fabric. I´ve used polyester "canvas" material used for awnings or lawn chairs that was very inexpensive. You sew the cover as shown in the attached picture, and then screw into the gunwhale with small screws, about 8-12" apart.<BR><BR>Evan Gatehouse