Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

I would appreciate some tips on installing the rubrail on a SD11 ... I have long (2 meters) planks cut to 38 x 16 mm, but they are straight and, especially the bow / front section, is curved of course.<BR><BR>Is there a way I can put a curve in the planks, enough to fit them and glue, holding them with clamps ... as they are now I cannot make the curve completely in one go - and I understand from the manual you have to fit both rubrails at the same time and completely to prevent distortion of the boat.<BR>

Ruud,<BR><BR>I´d recommend a search on the old forums on "rubrails". From what I remember, there are two ways to do this:<BR>- the easiest one is to use the sheer lines of<BR> the side planks as a guide (they have the<BR> correct shape).<BR>- the second method is not to bother: just<BR> glue with thickened epoxy and clamp (lots of<BR> clamps!) or temporary screw if that makes<BR> you feel better.<BR><BR>From your question I understand you already cut the rubrails from ´regular´ planking. If there aren´t any knots in them, there shouldn´t be any problem bending and twisting them. Securing the hull using a temporary frame to keep the boat fixed in shape will allow the rubrails to be glued on one at a time.<BR><BR>A better way would be to laminate the rubrails from two or three layers of wood: stronger and easier to apply. Good luck!<BR><BR>Greets, Leon Steyns.

Hi Leon,<BR><BR>I´d like to come back on this. Yes, I do have planks already (16 x 40 mm) and they do not bend enough - even when using force <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> .<BR><BR>Is it necessary to use <!-- BBCode Start --><B>long</B><!-- BBCode End --> planks, or can I cut them in separate parts, let´s say 30-40 cm and fit them that way? In that case I can sand a small profile at the ends and fit these together - I´ll make it then. Or do I give to much strenght away, this way?<BR><BR>

Ruud, Go to the Powerboat Forum and read both pages of the PH18 sheer clamp posts. This will tell you several easy ways to make the bend you need. Good Luck!<BR> <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">