Boat Builder Central - Builder Forums

I am getting ready to start building a CK17 on my next break from work. Have had the plans for quite some time. After reading and rereading the plans I cannot find what the rubrail dimensions are supposed to be. The plans just say to laminate 1/4" material, but it does not specify how many layers to make the rubrail or how tall the rubrail is supposed to be. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It must be somewhere on the plans but anyway, let's build at a minimum 0.75" wide and 1" high. For a very sturdy one, go to 1" thick by 1.5" high.
When sailing hard, you will grab that rail often and for that reason, I like the thick one.
Sorry if it is not clear on the plans.

Thanks for the response.

Is the 1/4" stock for laminating made up of solid wood. or 1/4" marine plywood ripped into 1.5" strips?

string1824 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 25, 2022 4:45 pm Thanks for the response.

Is the 1/4" stock for laminating made up of solid wood. or 1/4" marine plywood ripped into 1.5" strips?

You can make the rub rail from either, but most people use plywood. On most designs the strips will fit better if they're cut to match the curvature of the sheer, and this is most easily done after you cut the hull side panels and while they are lying flat. Trace that shape onto the plywood you want to use and make them the width you wish for.

Not just for grabbing but a wide rub rail also serves as a spray rail. Wish I had made the ones on my dory at least an inch wide.

A 1" by 1 1/2" works well and looks good also, I agree use plywood from your left-over scraps. Tom