Keeping the curve on a wood toe rail

[jduehmig]

Maine Sail,
I've appreciated your words of wisdom on numerous topics. You seem to be the man to go to with a question I'm working on before my boat comes out of the water in October. I have an Ericson 36C that has extensive teak trimmings. I am planning to remove most of the teak for rebedding during the winter months. While I will probably end up replacing all of the teak on the cockpit seats, the toe rail is in good enough shape to reuse. The toe rail is 15' long and about 3" thick as it runs down the side of the boat. If you are familiar with the 36C you will know it has a wide beam and a generous curve from front to back. I'm concerned that if I remove the toe rail for any length of time, the wood will straighten and I will not be able to reattach it in the spring without breaking it. I'm concidering building a frame to mount each piece as soon as it comes off the boat to maintain the curve, but obviously a 15' frame is not easy to move or store. Do you have any better suggestions to help ensure I can reuse the toe rail next spring.
Thanks,
Wander

 

[Winkfish]

How about a "bow and arrow" setup? Run a string from one end to the other, like a bow.

 

[Maine Sail]

My first thought is that unless it is leaking then I would simply re-finish it in place. Toe rails are not a fun job.

My second thought, having done similar, is that it will go back on just fine and will likely hold close to it's shape all winter. It may be a two person job going back on but should not be an issue. I had a set of 13' long hand rails that kept their bend for over three years before I sold them in a yard sale...

 

[jduehmig]

My apologies for not responding to this post earlier. I did not recieve any notifications that anyone had posted back. Thanks for the information. I've decided to leave the toe rail in place for now due to the mass destruction it would require in the cabin to get access to the bolts.