I need to replace my rub rails on a 40ft timber cruiser

by Wayne
(Bairnsdale, Australia)

Hi, I have a old timber cruiser built in about 1876.

She is in quite good condition but the rub rails are destroyed in some areas.

I have seen some comments about replacing them with spotted gum but haven't found a lot of info
like,

- Do I used green wood, kiln dried or what, and what is involved in steaming?

- Does the whole rail need to be replaced or can I join sections?

the rails are about a rounded 4x2" on the aft and probably about 3x1.5" shaped on the bow.

Comments for
I need to replace my rub rails on a 40ft timber cruiser

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she is great.
by: john gina malta

I have two wooden old boats 1930 and 1951 but nothing like that I wish I had one like it.

Good luck,

135 Year Old Lady
by: Anonymous

?Not bad? has got to be the understatement of the year for your 135 year old lady.

She?s a beauty!

If only she could talk I?ll bet she could tell a story or two.

So, where was she built?

Was she originally a pleasure craft or a work boat?

Please tell us more about her.

40 ft timber cruiser
by: Wayne

Hi, I did mean 1876, it was originally a steam powered boat, but now has a ford lees.

Not bad for a boat over 120 years old Hey!

year built
by: Anonymous

Do you mean it was built in 1978?

Spotted Gum
by: Mike

Hi Wayne,

What a beauty she is.

And built in 1876, I wonder how many plastic boats will last as long and look as good at that age.

Yes, Spotted Gum is a good choice.

I'm a great believer in using locally produced timber, for numerous reasons, ecological as well as supply.

Gum will steam ok, but do you need to?

Looking at the photo it doesn?t look as though there is sufficient curve in the rub-rail to justify setting up a steamer. If there are any tight curves these can always be laminated up using thin stock.

No, you don?t have to replace the whole rail, you can scarf in sections, the original rubbing strake will most likely have been made up from sections.

Scarfs should be ?nibbed? on the outer edge, but don?t need to be on the inner edge and the scarf should point aft (most damage occurs when going forward, so best to keep any edges pointing aft).

Best to use seasoned timber (either kiln dried or air dried), I don?t know off hand what the shrinkage rate for gum is but better to be on the safe side.

The point of a rub-rail is to take any damage and be easy to replace, a sacrificial strip if you like.

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