Rubbing strake, insert into carrier.

[Lee_Shaw]

Hi.
I've got one of these rubbing strake thingies.

I'm trying to get the rubber/pvc insert into the carrier which is already fixed to my boat. It's a bit tight and I can only get the thing about a metre in when the friction becomes too much for it to go any further.

I've tried washing up liquid and baby oil but of course they make everything too slippy to get a hold of.

Much help needed here.

Anybody got any ideas? Is the product crap? Anybody had experience with this product?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Benbow]

Ohhh yes, much hillarity was had when I replaced a similar system. Lubrication and very hot water helped, but the breakthrough came when I realised that pushing wasn't working and I needed to pull. I drilled several holes at 1 end of the rubber, threaded a line (3-4mm?) through them to give a secure attachment that would not tear out, then assistant pulled while I pushed and guided. Immediate success. But the force required is VERY significant, assistant had to wrap the rope round a lump of wood to stop it cutting his hand.

HTH

 

[eddieperkins]

I believe the method is to tuck the bottom in, apply heat from a hot air gun if required and push the top down and under the rim. I have just refitted mine but it is bigger section and old so is probable much more flexible.
Regards,
Eddie

 

[Benbow]

That would have been completely impossible on the system I replaced, it had a kind of inner track that was completely hidden by the rubbing strake when in position. The picture is not exactly the same because the edges of the track are visible after assembly, but if it is more like hard plastic and less like soft rubber then I suspect the pull method is the only option.

 

[Lee_Shaw]

Re: Thanks folks.

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...I needed to pull.

[/ QUOTE ]
That'd work I reckon, thankyou.
[ QUOTE ]
But the force required is VERY significant..

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you think it could it be winched?
[ QUOTE ]
I believe the method is to tuck the bottom in, apply heat from a hot air gun if required and push the top down and under the rim.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Eddie, I did try a similar technique with my gal's hair dryer but the insert is far too rigid. I think its PVC or sumfink.

Thanks for the help. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Steve

 

[tross]

What about the stuff they use down at the local tyre fitters as a lubricant?

 

[Benbow]

For me, lubrication helped but was not enough. On the first side, I messed about with hot water, teflon spray, washing-up liquid. But once I had worked-out how to set up a system for pulling, the other side was dead easy with just a (big) squirt of washing-up liquid.

Winching would help if you can work out a way of making it pull around the curve of the hull.

 

[Lee_Shaw]

Hi just thought I'd update re: this rubbing strake thingy.

Basically the "C" shaped carier was too tight and no amount of lube or winching would pursuade the insert to go more than about 2 metres along the carrier before the insert severed where I'd tied it. I then had to pull it out laterally and start again /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, did this twice then I eventually sanded down the jaws of the carrier a little each side. Which made it go in a lot easier.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Strathglass]

Re: Rubbing strake, lubrication.

The best stuff to use is the lubricant sold for assembling soil drainage pipes.
Washing up liquid has been found to corode the seals on them and is not advised.
It is relatively innexpensive as it has not got a 'marine / caravan' tag on it.
Most builders merchants will have it in stock, Wickes certainly stock it.

Iain