replacing teak hand rails and teak hatch runners

[sol y mar]

I have an 1979 oday 25 and would like to replace the teak hand holds and hatch runners.I know that Rudy at D&R has both items, but am looking for any advice on the project.

 

[Denise]

the handrails are really

to remove and replace without a 2nd set of hands. The long sknny machine screws have to be very clean and the threads not marred up in anyway. It will still be difficult to get the washer and nut back on them! Removing the wooden plugs is not hard but some will break out the handrail. Use lots of caulk to seal the base and the screw shanks. It will be messy! when you replace the plugs fill the hole completely so water can't get under the plugs. remove the masking tape so as possible so the sun doesn't bake it on the cabin top.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Teak replacement and caulking

I acquired a O'Day 26 which was a project boat. There were no two pieces of pairs teak worth fixing. So I would have had to replace a lot of teak. I replaced with plastic, HDPE from a local supply house that was cut to order. I just had to use my router to round all edges and make special grove for hatch. Now my boat has no exposed teak. Looks good just not old fashion nautical. My exposure to sealants. Do not use 5200 which is used by many manufactures. It is hard and does not flex. For that reason it cracks adjacent fiberglass on boats. It is also difficult to replace. I have moved to 'roofing sealant', that is one part urethane and not silicones. It is cheap for a tube and available in several colors. However, once you open a tube it has a limited shelf life. While the label used to say it was good for 50 years, the roofer (who just happens to have sailboats) who put me onto the stuff says that its life is about 12 years and retains a degree of flex which is important for chain plate and boat deck hardware.