VOILIER ODINvideo
WOODEN RUBBING STRAKES
July 23, 2023 · 24 min · 6K views · La Rochelle
What this video covers
Replacing the rub rails on a sailboat requires fabricating six custom wooden strips, three for each side, to match the hull's curvature.0:49 Unable to source exotic timber in the required 3.9-meter lengths in La Rochelle, the owner selects red pine as a substitute.0:31 Each 70mm by 30mm strip is planed, rounded with a router, and sanded before being fitted to the hull.1:57 Installation involves significant tension to force the wood against the hull's shape, particularly at the stern where the curve is most pronounced.16:09 To prevent the wood from snapping under this stress, the owner makes relief cuts on the underside of the stern sections, filling the gaps with resin to maintain structural integrity and shape.22:39 The process requires careful attention to drainage holes to prevent water accumulation and subsequent rot behind the rails.14:21 After fitting, the rails are removed for final sanding and varnishing.24:32 The project highlights the difficulty of bending rigid timber to match complex hull geometries and the necessity of using resin-filled relief cuts when wood flexibility is insufficient.
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