Re: Rub rails for P14/15

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Sun, 28 Mar 1999 12:18:16 -0800


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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>Hi
>I saw somthing on what some of you have used to replace the rub rails,I
>try to keep things I may use but this one got lost. Sorry to have to ask
>as I know it was here not long ago,just uncovered rosebud from the snow
>and found my new 1972 P14 needs some work on them. Thanks Hal
>Henty Rosebud #448
> halhenty@yahoo.com

I replaced the wooden rubrails on my 1967 P14 with vinyl ones that were in
the West Marine catalog at the time but seem to have been dropped from 1999
catalog. I found what appears to be the same thing in the M&E Marine
catalog (page 48), but it is now sold only as a kit, at least in this
catalog. The kit consists of 50 ft of flexible black vinyl rail with a
white vinyl insert, end caps, and stainless screws. The bad news is that
kit #2, the size I used, costs $139.95. There is a smaller size for $99.95.
I'm sure I didn't spend that much for mine, but I bought the parts
separately and used a rope insert instead of the white vinyl insert. Rope
was suggested as an option in the West Marine catalog, and I think it looks
salty on my old boat. I think I bought the rubrail by the foot, but
apparently you have to buy a 50 ft length now.

Although the item was formerly in the West Marine catalog, the store didn't
stock it, so I ordered it at the store. West Marine will usually order
anything marine for you, even if it is not in their catalog, so if you have
a West Marine store I would check with them. I think the manufacturer was
Taco. It might still be possible to order by the foot from the manufacturer.

I think the kit #2 size is just right for the P14. It's big enough to give
substantial protection but doesn't look bulky. I'm lazy about using fenders
but the vinyl rail is holding up well.

If your rails are just dirty and not damaged, I would just clean them up
instead of replacing them.

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA