"Rubbing strakes"?

alant

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Whilst at SIBS, noticed many boats (Hardy 65, HR's, etc), where the rubbing strake is below the gunnel, but well above the waterline. Since their original/main purpose, is/was to prevent damage when coming alongside, wouldn't these be best placed at pontoon level?
 

Yes, where you moor in a "box" defined by either 4 vertical poles or 2 poles on the outer end and a pontoon or quay at the inner end. Almost universal in the Baltic and common elsewhere in for example Germany and Holland. The gap is narrow and the rubbing strakes rub on the poles as you enter the box. Many Scandinavian bots such as HR have the strakes at the widest point which is often below deck level.

Perfect example of form following function.
 
Yes, where you moor in a "box" defined by either 4 vertical poles or 2 poles on the outer end and a pontoon or quay at the inner end. Almost universal in the Baltic and common elsewhere in for example Germany and Holland. The gap is narrow and the rubbing strakes rub on the poles as you enter the box. Many Scandinavian bots such as HR have the strakes at the widest point which is often below deck level.

Perfect example of form following function.

Yes HR have their strakes below "deck level", but not in any position where they might be useful when mooring onto a pontoon.
 
So beware in the Med of stern-to mooring alongside a Halberg Rassy. They have a metal rubbing strakes with screws , ready to gouge a hole in your gelcoat if a fender pops out of place as you ease back into a tight space

TudorSailor
 
So beware in the Med of stern-to mooring alongside a Halberg Rassy. They have a metal rubbing strakes with screws , ready to gouge a hole in your gelcoat if a fender pops out of place as you ease back into a tight space

TudorSailor


For a couple of years I was berthed next to a HR34 and was conscious of all the 'sharp' bits which would have made any berthing mishap more unpleasant than it needed to be
 
Yes HR have their strakes below "deck level", but not in any position where they might be useful when mooring onto a pontoon.

That's because the Swedes and Danes don't moor against pontoons.

I've sailed those waters in a Najad, the strakes made using their moorings really easy. That's what they're there for.

Pete
 
That's because the Swedes and Danes don't moor against pontoons.

I've sailed those waters in a Najad, the strakes made using their moorings really easy. That's what they're there for.

Pete

Most Scaninavian and Baltic boats have them. Our otherwise standard Jeanneau SO42i is fitted with chunky teak rubbing strakes at the uppermost/widest point on the hull. About 30mm thick. Fitted from new. We bought her in Kiel which was where she was supplied originally. Limited usefulness in the UK I have to say. It looks fine, but fenders hung below have a habit of causing the rope to rub on the wooden strake!
You win some you lose some!
 
My uk manufactured Southerly 115 has a wooden rubbing strake - so it's nit just a Baltic thing.

It's at the widest point and I have always seen it as designed for rafting up.


Given no two pontoons seem to be at the same height I can't see how anyone could ever design a strake for that anyway
 
All Westerly yachts have a teak rubbing strake. Only 12,500 were built and I feel sure the OP has seen at least one Westerly. The rubbing strake is used to cover the deck/hull joint and acts in the same way in a box berth as a lower fitted rail as per a HR, etc. On my Fulmar I have fitted a stainless steel strip to my rubbing strake as I lock in and out of the marina and the lock has high sided wooden pontoons and if a fender pops out I will not damage my teak rubbing strake.
 
My uk manufactured Southerly 115 has a wooden rubbing strake - so it's nit just a Baltic thing.

It's at the widest point and I have always seen it as designed for rafting up.


Given no two pontoons seem to be at the same height I can't see how anyone could ever design a strake for that anyway

Having two boats rafted both with rubbing strakes sounds like a terrible idea. They would mash each other up as the boats rolled (unless at very different heights above the water).

Mike.
 
Think the rest of the sailing world far outnumber the swedes & danes.

What is the point of that statement? They build boats that suit the conditions in their market - how sensible! Just the same as UK builders built boats for the UK market that buyers in other countries did not find attractive. On the other hand it is clear that many people outside Scandinavia do find their boats attractive and still buy them.
 
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