Fixing the toerail - how?

[cmedsailor]

Goodmorning. Anybody knows how to fix that bent toerail besides removing the whole thing (that may cause other bigger probalems). It is a very hard aluminium toerail. Any attempt to push it back may lift that little screw (plus the toerail) and cause a bigger damage. Thanks.

 

[jwilson]

The screws may well be just that - big self-tappers, or on older boats they are more likely to be machine screws with nuts glassed in inside the boat. Whatever, you will probably find that the toerail is bedded on a Sikaflex type sealant, which if you just pull upwards will take off bits of deck gelcoat. That's exactly what happened to my boat when a supposedly high quality boatyard sent two big strong youths to remove the toerail, and they used brute force and lots of ignorance.

It's all got to come off, I think you'll find, but very carefully - knife blade under to break the seal. Once that diamond non-slip is damaged it's virtually impossible to get a perfect repair.

 

[ningcompoop]

You could straighten it up a bit by clamping it between 2 wooden or metal blocks, using several chunky g-clamps and (carefully) progressively tightening them down.

John

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

You could straighten it up a bit by clamping it between 2 wooden or metal blocks, using several chunky g-clamps and (carefully) progressively tightening them down.

John

+1

Wood is probably too soft. Place a thick length of angle iron (unequal 'L' if you can find it) on the outside, long enough to bridge the distortion. Pull the bend outwards, towards the angle strongback, in small stages. allowing some time between successive tightening. Try to use G-clamps with as fine a thread as you can find, not the ordinary DIY type with a square thread. Through judicious placing of packing under the ends of the strongback, thus lifting it away from the outside of the toerail, it should be possible to bend the aluminium beyond the 'line' such that it will 'spring back' to a better alignment.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Depending on how it happened, you may be able to claim on your insurance. I can't view the attachments on my phone so may be talking through my arse.

 

[savageseadog]

Toerail damage = horrible job

There's nothing else to say.

 

[Concerto]

You could straighten it up a bit by clamping it between 2 wooden or metal blocks, using several chunky g-clamps and (carefully) progressively tightening them down.

+1

Use some good hardwood like oak and you should be able to straighten it quite easily as aluminium is relatively soft and pliable. I would not recommend using metal as someone else suggested as this can mark the alloy.

From the photograph it looks as if the seal to the deck joint looks undamaged. If this is the case do not try to remove the toe rail as you will cause more problems than you will solve.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

+1

I would not recommend using metal as someone else suggested as this can mark the alloy.

I suggested metal angle because it is stiffer. I took it for granted that a competent person would, as a matter of course, place protective shims between surfaces that could get scratched.

 

[corinthmistral]

+1 use decent clamps against a clean, straight solid bar/angle iron. Take your time and this should be achievable with good results and minimal risk or worsening how it currently is

 

[Skylark]

Ouch! Really sorry to see the pictures.

My inclination would be the G-clamp route, too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[TQA]

I would be surprised if G clamps will pull that back. I think you need a hydraulic jack. A Porta Power set of the type used in car body repair would be a good starting point.

You need to spread the load over several feet of toerail either with a really solid piece of timber say 9 x 9 in and multiple wedges or a RSJ again with wedges.

Once you have some pull on the bent part you can encourage it out with a hammer.

It is unlikely that the damage can be totally corrected and invisible but a it should be OK using the 10ft rule.

 

[Ruffles]

Not uncommon.

Personally I would get it done properly on your insurance. The rail will be removed straighten and reseated. Access will be required inside.

 

[Daydream believer]

Go down the G clamp route with a short piece of metal angle with a couple of shims & get near enough. Then cut the middle out with hacksaw & insert a fairlead fitting in the last bit of damaged area. It will not be in the right place to use but will not be noticeable & will be something to replace that last piece that will be split & will not cramp back into place

 

[Heckler]

Goodmorning. Anybody knows how to fix that bent toerail besides removing the whole thing (that may cause other bigger probalems). It is a very hard aluminium toerail. Any attempt to push it back may lift that little screw (plus the toerail) and cause a bigger damage. Thanks.

Beneteau? probably self tappers, they are on mine.
I straightened a badly bent triangle stanchion with a scissor car jack, used a spanish windlass to hold the jack against the bent bits and jacked away. It did a good job.
S

 

[William_H]

As you can tell from most of the posts. Do not rush to remove the rail. Try to straighten it in place. Don't expect to get it perfect. good luck olewill

 

[fastjedi]

Our (incompetent) mooring neighbour did almost exactly the same to ours last year. I investigated replacement on insurance but the disruption to the interior / bright on one side ruled out replacement (I should say ours is coach bolted) I got a "compensation" payment from the 3rd party's insurance and then had it "professionally" straightened. They used a couple of large adjustable spanners and corrigated cardboard. Its straightened O.K but added a couple of extra marks. I wish i'd done it myself because I would have taken more time / care ... A year on and I am still pondering wheher to do anything to repair the surface. Needless to say, I would happily pay all the compensation and more to make it go away.

 

[cmedsailor]

Thank you for all the answers. The damage was caused 4 years ago (if I remember well) while my mooring neighbour was trying to "park" his boat. After hitting it, he called me panicing, asking me to pay everything and so on. I simply told him not to worry, these things happen. He had already many health problems with his heart (it's an old guy) and therefore didn't want him to "suffer" any more. Anyway, since then I did tried a few times to straigthen it but with no success because, as I said, it's extremely hard and didn't want to cause more damage. Beneteau sent me a diagram on how these things are attached. Oh, very complex. Removing it is out of the question. I will have another go with the G clamps.