Spray rails

[Beyond Tom's]

I have a 31 JC. I have very short spray rails on the front of the boat. I noticed the other day, I lost about 5 inches of it on the starboard side. These spray rails were shorter than you normally see them on most downeasters. The boat has been through 3 owners. Either someone shortened them or they may have fallen off over the years. I do not see any exposed screws, except for the piece that recently fell off. In the spring I'm going to short haul the boat. Does anyone have any suggestions on how long the spray rails should be. Going to replace them. Also where to buy them.

 

[Toolate]

Just info I gathered reading around this site- no experience with either.

Home

Rubrails in Stock at Barbour Plastics

 

[KBriggs]

In my experience with spray rails normally they would run aft to just forward or just aft of the main bulkhead we have been known to run full length as to act as lifting rails on a semi displacement hull also probably would have to see the boat running to determine a good height a lot depends on performance of the bottom wether it be displacement hull or planing hull or semi displacement it looks like in the pic I would say a semi displacement but hard to tell for sure.... hope this helps

Hamilton Marine Supply they have a good selection

 

[captainlarry84]

Here are some pic of standard JC spray rails that were on my 1984 JC & installed by JC. The rails were not thru bolted & only screwed in and bedded in 5200 material. Most spray rails on jc break because they were not blocked during haul outs & launching. This cause the travel lift slings to ride on the rails, bending the screws & then snapping them.

On replacement do not even think of reusing the old screw holes. Just fill them with hull & deck putty & drill holes. Mount them with counter sunk # 12 oval head screws 2.5# long. There is plenty of glass on the chine so you cannot get in trouble. With the old rails removed measure the depth of the screw hole in the hull. Mark the drill bite so you go no future & you will not have a problem. It is a two man job to get it correctly. Hamilton Marine sells the rub-rails you need.

I snapped one years ago & used this method with no issues or problems.

 

[Beyond Tom's]

Thanks everyone. Hope you all had a nice thanksgiving.