Rub Rail - B411

[Gunni]

She's beautiful with that sleek, radiused hull/deck connection and wooden toe rail - must be perfect for med-mooring about Europa. However we live in the US and tie up in slips - mostly fixed. When I bump a pile or dock edge I remove gel coat. It's a ridiculous oversight in construction. I'm looking for ideas to put a robust rub rail on our boat and end the needless damage.

Preference would be a nice hardwood rail with stainless steel strike. Anyone know of a yard on the Ches bay capable of doing the job right. Hopefully with full knowledge of the Beneteau hull/deck joint and best placement.
Thanks,
Gunni

 

[epsilonblue]

Hi Gunni, I sail a 41 in Europe and have to use Boxes in holland and had the same problem with scratches on my Blue hull, I agree with you that it is an oversight by Beneteau. I fitted my own rubbing strake, purchased from Walker Rubber here in the UK It is Plastic about 2 inches wide with a dark blue insert to cover the fixing screws spaced at 1 ft, I used a window fixing adhesive supplied for fitting windows to heavy road plant as this remains flexible. Good luck and good sailing John

 

[Mike B]

Gunni, you can buy rub rail from Beneteau but unfortunately it's the white plastic material with a stainless rub strake. Just look on B's parts section of their website.
A friend has a Hylas 46 with a teak rub rail. It requires a bit of maintenance to keep it looking good though. Perhaps Hylas or one of their dealers could tell you where to get one.

 

[Gunni]

Thanks fellas, I looked at both the Beneteau rail and at teak. The Beneteau rail in white is unacceptable. And I don't want teak maintenance. I'm currently evaluating a single-piece solid extruded reinforced PVC material, painted to match the hull, topped with a SS strike. I just need to find a competent yard.