Replacing the teak toe rails

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Apr 1st, '11, 07:12

I am getting tried of maintaining the finish on the teak toe rails of STARVIEW. I have found a possible solution, replacing them with slotted aluminum toe rails. I can get the aluminum rails very inexpensively from a trashed 38' boat at a local yard.

In addition to the reduced maintenance--either hanging over the side or up on a scaffold--I would gain significant flexibility in sail adjustment. The attachment of the new rail should be fairly straight forward. I should be able to do the work at the dock in a few days.

A second option would be to remove the teak and replace it with white Starboard. It might look better than the aluminum, but I would lose the advantages provided by the slots.

Has anyone done this job? I am looking for some practical advice.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (where I await the May flowers) Va

Bob Ohler · Post by **Bob Ohler** » Apr 1st, '11, 09:10

Mitch,
An interesting idea. I hope you post updates so we can follow this project. I have a hunch that removing the teak toe rails may be tougher than you think.

Bob O.

Ralph H · Post by **Ralph H** » Apr 1st, '11, 09:33

Mitch,
Personally, I like it. A kind of C&CD look that might broaden the appeal of the somewhat drab CD36. My only concern is that in a blow, the potentially more turbulent airflow off the slotted rail might cause issues with the foot of the main. Pictures please when you have them!!!

Ralph in Kinsale (where the crab traps are baited, but the crabs are still in the mud), Va.

Carl Thunberg · Post by **Carl Thunberg** » Apr 1st, '11, 09:52

Mitch has a nasty habit of April Fool's Joke posts. Can't tell if this is one of them. Kinda like Susan Stamberg sneaking in her cranberry relish recipe in a seemingly believable story. He's Waskawy Wabbit, that Mitch.

Bob Ohler · Post by **Bob Ohler** » Apr 1st, '11, 10:35

I guess I was a victim of April Fools! I never said I liked the idea. (I have seen some really strange ideas on here in the past. Was the raising the boom topic real or a joke?) LOL!

Bob O.

tmsc · Post by **tmsc** » Apr 1st, '11, 12:19

I think a slotted aluminum toe rail would be great. I think often about them every time I refinish the teak.

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Apr 1st, '11, 18:48

Carl Thunberg wrote:Mitch has a nasty habit of April Fool's Joke posts. Can't tell if this is one of them. Kinda like Susan Stamberg sneaking in her cranberry relish recipe in a seemingly believable story. He's Waskawy Wabbit, that Mitch.

So I probably ought to skip the "removing the port lights and glassing over the holes to provide more protection in really bad conditions plus gaining extra privacy below" suggestion?

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (where good sports are easy to fool) VA

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Apr 2nd, '11, 07:05

Carl Thunberg wrote:Mitch has a nasty habit of April Fool's Joke posts. Can't tell if this is one of them. Kinda like Susan Stamberg sneaking in her cranberry relish recipe in a seemingly believable story. He's Waskawy Wabbit, that Mitch.

Moi?

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (where a new day has dawned) VA

Troy Scott · Post by **Troy Scott** » Apr 2nd, '11, 09:31

Another possible alternative might be Polished Granite. It would be easier to maintain than teak. Let's give that some thought..., as a means of reducing the maintenance of those "somewhat drab" CD36s. But remember to use the sealer.

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Apr 2nd, '11, 10:32

Too much weight above the water line, Troy. I would go with Corian or another granite look alike, Steve

John Danicic · Post by **John Danicic** » Apr 2nd, '11, 11:48

Since granite is so heavy, you could put a thicker granite piece on the Starboard side to correct for the CD list. It would be a bit unbalanced looking but how many folks look critically at both side of a boat at the same time?

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Apr 2nd, '11, 14:18

we had them on our S2 23 and were very functional. You could attach your spare wheel off the side from them, and tether to them while hanging off the side noting fixed wheel speed degradation.

Troy Scott · Post by **Troy Scott** » Apr 2nd, '11, 23:35

I've already taken care of that. I calculated exactly how many of my 27 8D batteries (required for my 20K BTU air conditioning system and the 2000 watt quadraphonic music system) should be in the various lockers to create a perfectly level boat. Now I just have to raise the waterline a few inches.....

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Apr 4th, '11, 08:54

I believe that I just heard Mr Alberg turn over in his grave.. He is dead,correct??

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Apr 4th, '11, 09:36

rtbates wrote:I believe that I just heard Mr Alberg turn over in his grave.. He is dead,correct??

Yes, but lives on through the fine boats he designed and we continue to maintain and sail with the deepest respect for their designer, Steve.

The Cape Dory Board

Replacing the teak toe rails

Replacing the teak toe rails

Keep us posted on this project!

Uh. Take a look at the date.

It never occurred to me that this might be joke!

Replacing toerail.

Re: Uh. Take a look at the date.

Re: Uh. Take a look at the date.

Granite

Granite

Don't knock slotted toe-rails.

CD list