bronze/brass strakes &/or rub rails

[Fred G.]

Has anyone found a recent source for either &/or both of the above items?? Have not had any luck with Spartan, Jamestown, etc.

[Oswego John]

Fred,

I just Googled "Bronze, Brass half round stock"

Several sources came up, including half oval. Maybe there is something in there that you can use.

Years ago, I had a power boat with half round bronze alloy on the cutwater and rub rails. They sure took a beating and held up just fine. I haven't seen boats using them for a long time now.

Good luck,
O J

[Fred G.]

Thanks for the reply, John. I will certainly give it another "go". I was looking more specifically for strakes which are of minimal length. From what I have seen, minimum lengths for purchase are 12-16' with a minimum price of $118/length. Kind of an overkill for strakes but I guess it wouldn't be "bad" price for use on the rubrails. Will keep on searching. Tried Bristol Bronze but they are away @ a boat show 'til the end of the week. SS strakes are readilly available but not the greatest idea for a CD.

[sloopjohnl]

got mine through Jamestown.

[Al Levesque]

The Hamilton Marine catalog has half ovals as low as 6ft in length. They also have short lengths with tapered ends in stainless but unfortunately not in bronze/brass.

[marka]

I picked up 2 ft of bronze (definitely not brass) half round at what can best be described as a "marine pawn shop" in Salem Mass a few years back. It was a great place to rummage around in. Can't remember the name of the place though.

[Al Levesque]

Probably Nautical Traders on Bridge St. They have a hard hat diving helmet in the window, plus a lot more gear of the same vintage.

[Amgine]

This is one of those things that can easily be manufactured cheaply by any decent machinist. They buy the half-round or half-oval stock, and cut/taper to your specification.

There's a couple of benefits for you: you get exactly the material/shape/finish you want, and you're supporting a local craftsman who can also fix your prop shaft, cut a new pin for your sticky porthole, or manufacture a custom whatever. Sometimes they're more expensive, but sometimes they're cheaper than a warehouse somewhere in China.

If you're desperate, you can also contact marine artisans such as Port Townsend Foundry for custom work.

[Fred G.]

Thanks to all for the help. Looks like Hamilton Marine is the place. Checked w/Bristol Bronze who had bronze half ovals but at more than double the price for brass. After some weathering, will probably not see much difference between the brass & bronze