Detatching rubbing strakes

Rivers & creeks

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Messages
10,925
Location
Norfolk
Visit site
The rather nice wodden rubbing strake's on our new boat are coming away from the hull - the reason is the mad use of mild steel fixings /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. What should we use to:

a. Temporarily secure them to the hull for the coastal delivery trip
b. Permanently fix them with. With the rusting of the metal fixings the wood has of course rotted just at the attachement points

Many thanks for your help.
 
It really depends on how they are attached. If not possible to make secure I would remove them entirely for the trip, then do a proper job in the spring fit out (unless you're staying afloat all winter), removing them and replacing with new wood, or cutting the manky bits off and scarfing new pieces in, or end-for-ending to get the screw holes in a different place.
 
Have you got a pic???

I am in the process of removing my timber rubbing strakes and sanding them down & replacing. I would be careful about taking them off whilst afloat as I assume you have a similar hull deck joint which will be exposed when the rubbing strake is removed, & any damage to this would be serious!!!

In my case (Dufour 35, see link) The rubbing strake will have to be cleaned & sanded then sikaflex sealed befor screwing back into place. Screws are S.S.

Personally I would not put on new timber unless the old is completly shot!!! as I assume the curve would be quite difficult to form unless you got an expensive specialist involved??

poter
 
Something like these are great for removing the old screws. The holes can be plugged and new screws fitted.
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
These look like just the tool I need, on my boat, some mild steel screws have been used (luckily only inside) and have rusted. Does anyone know of a UK supplier ?

Peter
 
Axminster tools did do them at one time, might be worth a phone call.

Plan "b" would be to make your own /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
[ QUOTE ]
Personally I would not put on new timber unless the old is completly shot!!! as I assume the curve would be quite difficult to form unless you got an expensive specialist involved??

[/ QUOTE ]

Not so: Replacing rubbing strakes is surprisingly easy, once you have worked out how to fasten it, and how to access the fastening from inside! I replaced mine a couple of years ago, and was surprised how painless it all was. Starting from the bows where the maximum curvature was, once I had a couple of fastenings in place, there was ample leverage on the unfastened end to pull the strake into position for drilling and securing each fastening in turn. The biggest problem was accessing the fastenings inside the hull behind the furniture and in the more inaccessible recesses!

Unless the old strake was in good shape and without rot, I would not think of trying to patch bits in except for quite minor damage. Less work, and a much better looking end result.
 
I had a set of extractors like this when I was re-building an old car.

I think I got them from Frost's(mail order) a car accessories/tools specialist or from Draper's( motor factors) . Try your local motor factor first, cost probably about £10-15
 
Do you mean something like
sprlext2.jpg


The extractors I was referring to are specifically for removing screws in wood or other "soft" material by cutting out a "core" containing the broken screw.
--------------------
hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Re: Detatching rubbing strakes re pasta_simon

Depending on where you are are the Swale ...

In the "old" days you would go to the Ship Wrights Arms and discuss with others. Possibly, this was why my parents boat was always under repair ...
 
Top