Cap-Rail final-final-final decision....

And the winner is......................... IPE

Family Name for Ipe Lumber: Tabebuia of family Bignoniaceae

 

The old sealant (origin unknown) was pretty shot.  Some 5200 had been squirted in at some stage to little avail.

 

This made getting the old rail off pretty easy, once the screws were removed.

  

This was a useful tool to remove the bolts holding the genoa track, if they are the old slotted type.

  

I had a local wood-shop use the old cap-rail as a template and make me a new one, including screw holes. 

 Ipe is hard to bend, but it will bend slightly.
 

 

After much research I will use Teakdecking Systems FE-180A to bond the Ipe to the fiberglass.

Full install won't take place until I return from Europe in late July

Cap Rail decisions........

#nobloodyvarnishingever

Starting to think about the Cap Rail (Toe Rail, gunwale).  It will not be teak.  Two reasons,

a: expense,
b: maintenance.

I know it can be epoxied and painted but at some stage that will have to be redone. That also sort of defects the idea of using teak in the first place.

I've looked at Plasteak lumber and it is promising but then came across this;

Ameriteak Marine Toe Rails - Gunnels

So far it look very good.  I have installed a section and will play with it for  a while

Arch installed

Form follows function.....

The gunwale (aka cap rail) on TIH will need replacing at some stage. At the very least it will have to be removed and re caulked, as there is some evidence of leaking via the screws holding the cap rail to the fiberglass. This project will result in one of the "form follows function" discussions with my wife, Lynne. Teak is nice and looks 'traditional" but it requires - maintenance.

I really like the work carried out on a CSY 44 called "Soggy Paws" where the teak caprail was replaced with a TACO extrusion.

Check out the project here; Soggy Paws caprail

Photo here used without permission, hope Sherry and Dave will not mind.



The idea is posted here as I will need support when the time comes to discuss the project.