Source for Spray Rails

[riverrandy]

I could not find any newer posts on Spray Rails. What do the assembled experts think is the best resource for replacement spray rails? Mine are 15' over all long. any ideas?

 

[hoop1013]

If your talking spray rails (quarter fenders)....just above the waterline, aft on each side? Check Broadus Rose @Lookout Boat Windows, he has an ad on the left column of this website. I’ll try to dig up some of the pics from his install on my 58’

 

[hoop1013]

These were as the new rails were being installed. I was able to salvage the original stainless rubrail edge and have it polished before Broadus’s guys reinstalled it.

 

[rustybucket]

I purchased pvc extruded rails called 'smart rails' for our boat, not sure if that company is still around or not. Although they work, in hind sight I'd just make some out of glass.

 

[madhatter1]

Aft they are not spray rail although the may act as one. The real purpose aft is to hold the boat off of fender tied up as the oldies but goodies don't have a hull flair like newer boats so the rub rail where cap hits hull holds boat far away enough from growth on pilings.

Ask me how I know. Hint! It's not because I am smart! Removed them on my 34 and paid the price a couple times. They will stay on the 46 and first time they need service will be replaced with overbuilt ones about 1" wider.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I had a temporary PVC one on my boat until I could get solid FRP ones from Slane Marine. PVC is okay for temporary. I agree FRP is better.

 

[rustybucket]

I had a temporary PVC one on my boat until I could get solid FRP ones from Slane Marine. PVC is okay for temporary. I agree FRP is better.

We struck something offshore and cracked/ripped off part of one of our bow pvc spray rails.

 

[rsmith]

I had a temporary PVC one on my boat until I could get solid FRP ones from Slane Marine. PVC is okay for temporary. I agree FRP is better.

Are the FRP ones solid or cored with something?

 

[Boatsb]

I've done a few boats with the PVC and no issues. Its strong enough to fend off poles and pilings and will never rot.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I found that paint doesn't stick to it. Even AG doesn't stick to it.

 

[Cricket]

The aft bumper rails from Slane had some some type of foam core in the middle, lots of glass on the outside to be able to bump into poles and docks.....
Our 50c never had any rails so we finally added them 4 or 5 years ago, should have done it sooner.
Only thing I would do different is to make them 50% longer or so.

Not sure why there are issues painting PVC, we've painted lots of it always starting with a good sanding and then Awlgrip 545 primer.

 

[riverrandy]

Thanks for the responses. As usual, I learned something. Aft Quarter Fenders is a much better name for these things. I'll check with Lookout Boat Window, but they look much thinner than what I have. If they are truly a "fender", then PVC makes some sense to me. I assume the old school engineers at Hatteras made them of something more giving (Wood) for some reason, Lord knows there was not a lack of fiberglass at that time. I wonder If they made it more flexible so it could handle repeated impacts, and not crack the hull gelcoat? Thoughts?

 

[Boatsb]

paint is fine on the PVC. Not starboard.

 

[Cricket]

My guess is they used wood because it was easy.
I will take repairing a once in awhile fiberglass crack from a hard hit over replacing crushed wood and or constantly chasing rotten wood any day.
Btw, don't think our Slane bumper rails will be cracking between the way they were built and how we installed them.

Also, I would agree our rails would probably be too small for a big MY.

 

[MadHatter53]

Does anyone here have a set of spray rails up front? I thought about adding a set on my boat to keep the windy side drier.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Up front spray rails add nothing at all. They are a waste of time and money. IMHO

I could not get paint to stick to my PVC rail, but, to be fair, I knew I was going to replace it with FRP ones, so I didn't try all that many times.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Our 1975 had mahogany aft quarter rails that were painted. Our 1985 came with fiberglass rails. So, apparently Hatteras moved to frp sometime between those years.

 

[johnjen50]

My 1981 Yachtfish has mahogany rails aft, as well as spray rails on the bow. I somewhat agree with Jim, however I do think they cushion the landing and provide some boyancy when coming off steep waves.

 

[riverrandy]

Our 1975 had mahogany aft quarter rails that were painted. Our 1985 came with fiberglass rails. So, apparently Hatteras moved to frp sometime between those years.

That is some good info. Exactly what I was looking for. mine is a 1975, and they are mahogany.

I wish I could find the molds for the 1985 AQF's (Aft Quarter Fenders) so I could lay some up...

 

[davidwigler]

Any idea how much the fiberglass aft quarterfenders cost?