A New Solution to Replacing Rub Rails
July 11, 2008
Rub Rails
When I traded my 1966 Dodge Coronet Convertible for a 1984, 7.3m Tanzer sailboat a few years ago, the replacement of the flexible rub rail was the first major project. Few projects do as much to improve the appearance of an older boat as a bright, new rub rail.
The previous owner had a marine fiberglass repair shop and his new wife didn’t like the “tippy” boat, so the trade worked out for both of us. He got rid of the boat slip payment, his wife was happy and I got a great little sailboat made by C&C, one of the best sailboat builders in Canada, with a solid hull.
The owner had spent a bucket load of money making the boat hull as smooth as a baby’s bottom, removing every little bubble, blister or crack. The new Awlgrip paint job was beautiful! The boat had been on stilts for 4 years while he and his crew spent their spare time painting every surface outside the boat.
As time went on, the rub rail needed to be replaced. It was cracking and powering, looking old and worn next to the beautiful paint on the hull and decks. No amount of cleaning and buffing seemed to make the boat’s rub rail look better.
In order to keep the boat as original as possible, the rub rail that was originally installed on the boat was purchased by contacting the boat builder to find the manufacturer and part number.
The boat was hauled and the yard put it up on mounts so that work could begin on the rub rail installation. The flexible rub rail came in one piece, coiled into a box and it was a very heavy, thick, almost rigid vinyl rubber. The instructions called for a heat gun to make the rubber pliable while two people guided the rub rail into place as it was stretched from the back of the stern, along the starboard side of the boat, around the bow and back along the port side to meet at the stern.
Personally, I couldn’t visualize trying to manhandle the rub rail into place while using the heat gun. Instead, I rented a large, industrial cook pot, cook stand and propane bottle from an equipment rental service, filled it with water and boiled the rub rail until it was soft. Using thick, heat resistant gloves, it was easily stretched into place. It took a fraction of the time and all I had to do was watch the water boil.
You can’t imagine how many people in the yard told me it wouldn’t work. After I contacted the manufacturer to make sure I wasn’t going to destroy the rub rail material, I decided it was a far better procedure for softening the vinyl enough to maneuver and apply to the seam. The rub rail covered the junction point of the fiberglass boat deck and hull.
3M 5200 Adhesive/Sealant
We used 3M 5200 fast cure marine adhesive/sealant to glue it in place and provide a waterproof seal. It’s tack free in about one hour and completely cures in 24. The polyurethane adhesive delivers strong, flexible seals, and is ideal for applications where a fast, long-term seal is needed above or below the boat waterline, such as hull to deck seams, wood to fiberglass, marine hardware, and hull and stern joints. This sealant remains flexible, allowing structural movement, and has excellent resistance to weathering and the marine environment.
There are a variety of options available when you decide to replace the current rub rails on your boat or upgrade to a different material, change rail size or both. Picking the best rub rail material for your boat depends on where and how you boat. If your boating adventures take you to unprotected docks or other areas where you want more protection for the hull of your vessel, choose a bigger, thicker rail. To lessen impact, go with softer material. A heavier rail made of harder material may be your best option if you have a work boat.
Today, companies like Taco Metals provide Rub Rail Guides by Boat Make in order to help boat owners locate new rub rails. Some rub rails are available as kits and also provide rail end caps to give your project a finished, professional touch.
Taco Metals - Rub Rails
If you are unsure of which material or combination of materials will best suit your boating needs, the material descriptions will help you determine which of TACO Metal’s rub rails will best meet your requirements. TACO Metals has been manufacturing quality marine products since 1959 so you can trust that their materials have stood the test of time.
NavSim Technology Inc. GPS Enabled Marine Navigation Software
NavSim Technology creates navigation software to turn laptops, PCs and handheld devices into Portable Piloting Units. NavSim focuses on software and hardware solutions for land and marine applications that are powerful yet easy to use with today’s electronic charts and maps. NavSim’s GPS enabled technology gives boaters and hikers alike real time route tracking capabilities.
- NavSim’s Electronic Navigation lineup includes:
- BoatCruiser 2.0 for power boaters
- SailCuriser with SailTimer by Craig Summers of Indepth Navigation for sailors
- NavCruiser PRO for professional pilots as used by the pilots on the St. Lawrence River
- MapCruiser for land based GPS units, PDAs, pocket PCs and hardcopy topographic map printing
- Multiple Marine Instrument Support - GPS, AIS, Autopilot, ARPA/MARPA, Depth Sounder
- Man Overboard
- One Click Route Planning
- Seamless Chart Quilting & Chart Rotation
- High-Resolution Chart Printing
- Parallel Index Line
- Course Up, Chart Up, True North or Magnetic North Up
- Customizable Markers
- Entry or Exit Zones & Zones Alarms
- Unique Customizable Screen Displays
- Tides & Currents
- Marinas, Points of Interest & Locations Search
- Night & Dusk Displays
Featuring BoatCruiser 2.0
BoatCruiser 2.0 gives pleasure boat captains top notch navigation and piloting tools. NavSim put years of research into the development of BoatCruiser’s predictive autopilot technology. Technology that promotes safety and increases the pleasure of your cruising time with advanced electronic chart planning and real time on the water route tracking.
Once connected, BoatCruiser automatically locates and configures the other marine instruments on your boat. You can select and size up to four navigation information consoles on screen at once or select one to view full screen. You can zoom and tilt to perspective views depending on the electronic chart you use. BoatCruiser 2.0 incudes NavSim’s Fuel Consumption and Cost Calculator that estimates the amount & cost of fuel you will need to reach your destination.
BoatCruiser 2.0 supports Electronic Charts from C-MAP, Maptech, NDI Digital Ocean, NOAA ENC S-57, QV, SoftChart & E-Topo.
BoatCruiser 2.0 Planning Tools & Navigation Features:
Seloc Marine Engine Repair Manuals
May 27, 2008
Seloc Marine Engine Repair Manuals
Seloc is a leader and innovator of marine engine repair manuals for outboards, inboards, stern drives, diesels and PWC’s (Personal Water Craft). Seloc print manuals, Seloc online manuals and SelocPro are available at Go2marine.
Seloc offers a full line of printed manuals with complete coverage on everything from basic maintenance to complete engine or drive overhaul; featuring simple-to-follow, step-by-step, illustrated procedures, hundreds of exploded views, photographs, tables, wiring diagrams, specifications, and user friendly indexes. Many of our newer manuals contain a skill level rating system for each procedure which also include special tool icons.
Seloc Online, an internet based subscription product, is the most comprehensive online tool available for do-it-yourself repairs! Our database of mechanical repairs offers complete service procedures, wiring diagrams, maintenance schedules, specifications, parts database, dealer locator, and more.
Provides the user with unlimited Internet access for three years for a “single model/year” engine and the respective drive system.
SelocPro, Professional Online Service
Our professional version, Seloc Pro is the most comprehensive database tool available to marine technicians! Unlimited access to our database of mechanical repair, including mechanical labor times, service procedures, wiring diagrams, parts, specifications, and an estimating module with parts and pricing.
Seloc’s print marine engine repair manuals
Seloc Publishing
Example - Outboard Engine
Typical index for Maintenance and Repair operations
Battery
Marine Batteries
Battery Construction
Battery Ratings
Battery Location
Battery Service
Battery Testing
Jumper Cables
Storage
Dual Battery Installation
Below Waterline Service
Boat Testing
Hook And Rocker
Performance
Boating Safety
Regulations For Your Boat
Required Safety Equipment
Equipment Not Required But Recommended
Courtesy Marine Examinations
Bottom Seal
Inspection
Removal
Break-In Procedures
Bypass Cover
Removal & Installation
Carburetor
Application
Description
Disassembly & Assembly
Preliminary Adjustments
Preliminary Idle Speed Adjustment
Removal & Installation
Carburetor Adjustments
Fuel And Fuel Tanks
Idle Adjustment
Oil/Fuel Mixture
CDII Ignition System
Compression
Description
Flywheel
Identification
Ignition Coil
Ignition Module
Operation
Power Pack
Sensor Coil
Service
Testing
Troubleshooting
Centering Pins
Service
Charging System
AC Lighting Coil Tests
Alternator Output Test
Choke Circuit Tests
Troubleshooting
Rectifier TESTS
Stator Tests
Compression Check
Checking Compression
Connecting Rods And Pistons
Assembly
Description
Disassembly
Inspection And Service
Installation
Removal
Crankcase Cover
Cleaning And Inspecting
Service
+ 120 more Indexed subjects!
Anchors
May 27, 2008
No other single piece of equipment is so well discussed (and debated) by all pleasure boaters as anchors. On a given weekend, while working on deck, I have often heard somebody come by and make a comment about anchors on boats - I had a Delta 55# as my primary anchor on a 26,000# Ingrid 38 Ketch which stood out as a heavy anchor. Power boaters and sailors alike debate design, size, usage and holding power of anchors. An anchor can allow you to sleep well or it can destroy a trip or vessel. No other single piece of equipment will put a vessel in as immediate danger as when you are counting on your anchor; and your anchor fails to hold. A proper anchor will hold you to the bottom when you are drifting without a motor, while sleeping the night in a cove or weathering out a storm off a wave washed shore. An anchor also allows you to explore and overnight in places with no docks, mooring buoys; off the beaten path.
Anchor History
1300 - 1800 BC
Early anchors are thought to be rocks tied to rope and there is archaeological evidence dating from the Bronze Age to support this. For over 3000 years, anchors consisted of using a great mass to hold a vessel at anchor. In 1637, the “Sovereign of the Seas,” at 1600 tons, carried 12 anchors of 4000 pounds each! It was during the 1600’s that two goals were combined to make anchors what they are today, a penetrating point (from the hook) and a reasonable mass.
1846 - Kedge Anchor
The fisherman, yachtsman, or kedge, anchor works well in sand and mud, and is better in hard bottoms and grass than other anchors. The design is a non-burying type, with one arm penetrating the seabed and the other arm standing proud. The kedge anchor is popular as the ultimate storm anchor. It has stood the test of time and is still built today, in a virtually unchanged form.
1933 - Plow Anchor
Popular cruising anchors, the plow anchors include the old cruising standard CQR ‘secure’ - “Coastal Quick Release” and the modern Delta. They get their name from the plow shape witch digs in well and this anchor will reset itself if a change in pull trips it. Although it may not bury in hard bottoms, this anchor is more effective in grass than other lightweight anchors. This anchor is hard to stow, except on a bow roller.
1943 - Fluke Design
The Danforth is lightweight compared to its holding power, the Danforth is superb in sand and mud, and its flat configuration makes it easy to carry aboard. The Danforth doesn’t set well in hard bottoms, and sea grass can keep it from reaching the bottom. There are many similar lightweight fluke anchors on the market, including the Fortress, which is aluminum. In a strong current, the broad flukes of the Danforth and similar fluke anchors can make them sail through the water rather than sink to the bottom.
1970’s - Claw Anchors
Claw and Manta anchors are originally based on the Bruce anchor; the anchor designed to keep North Sea Rigs in their place. The Claw style anchor will reset itself if tripped. However, it doesn’t do well in hard bottoms, and the shape of the flukes makes it vulnerable to fouling in heavy grass. A fixed shank anchor that is harder to stow.
Since the 1970’s, private pleasure boats have driven the popularity and design of modern anchors for small to medium sized vessels. Aluminum versions of Fluke Anchors, modern fixed shank plows like the Delta and Claw are all anchors that have received and furthered designs of older proven anchors.
You will need more than one Anchor abour a boat that spends any time away from the dock.
A 34 foot cruising sailboat might carry 4 anchors; a 35# Plow anchor (main), a 33# Claw (backup), a 50# Fisherman or 40# Fluke anchor (storm) and a 8.8# grapnel (lunch hook, dingy, dredging).
For a 34 foot weekender sailboat, you could carry one 45# plow - the Delta as a main anchor and a 40# fluke as a backup anchor.
A 35 foot power boat might carry 3 anchors; a 33# stainless steel Claw (main), a 40# Fluke (backup, storm) and a small grapple or fluke anchor (lunch hook, dingy, dredging).
Boat Lift Canopy Covers - Free Shipping
May 9, 2008
Now that the winter is over, is your boat lift cover looking worn and tattered? A new custom fit canopy cover from Go2marine will improve the look of your dock and home.
Go2marine carries replacement canopies for the most popular boat lifts, including Hewitt and Shore Station. Plus, they now have free shipping on these covers anywhere in the contiguous 48 states.
With three fabric type choices and color selection within each fabric, how do you make sure you get exactly what you need? Go2marine helps you make these decisions with their guides on determining cover size and product information.
If you’re still not sure, contact the experts at Go2marine or better yet, send pictures.
Go2marine is proud to support the International Marine Community. As of 2008, Go2marine has shipped to 168 (really, I counted them!) of 193 countries in the world. We offer guaranteed shipping by post, truck, ship or air, from ounces / milligrams to 1000’s of pounds / kilograms.
Some of the more exotic locales are Bosnia, Cameroon, Colombia, Dominica, Georgia, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, St. Martin, Syria, Tortola, Tusnia and Yugoslavia. Go2marine ships to commercial fishing fleets, around the world cruising sailors and anyone needing a part to keep them going!
Some of the landlocked countries we have shipped to including; Azerbaijan, Hungary, Laos, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are only 44 landlocked countries and only 2 that are doubly landlocked - countries that are surrounded by other landlocked countries.
We have enjoyed extensive shipping to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Puerto Rico and the United States. Go2marine ships out boat building materials, marine facility maintenance supplies, vessel parts and equipment by the envelope, box or pallets.
Languages spoken - English, Spanish and French
Somos expertos en piezas para barcos y enviamos por todo el mundo. Si necesita alguna ayuda en encuentrar una pieza en particular, porfavor no dude en llamarnos. Nosotros tambien contamos con personal bilingue a su servicio. Tambien nos especializamos en enviar internacionalmente.
Bienvenue a BoatParts.Go2marine.com
Magasin 100.000 + pieces et approvisionnements de bateau. Bienvenue a BoatParts.Go2marine.com. Si vous avez besoin d’aide trouvant une piece, donnez-svp nous un appel, nous ont le personnel bilingue de service d’appel. Nous nous spécialisons également en embarquant internationalement.
Edson Boat Steering Wheels
May 5, 2008
Edson manufactures boat steering wheels for both sailboats and powerboats. From Edson’s American Manufacturing locations, they produce stainless steel, wood, cast and composite boat steering wheels. Edson supplies boat steering wheels that are suitable for any vessel of any size.
Edson’s Carbon Fiber Boat Steering Wheel - less than 10 lbs in a 54″ wheel
Edson’s Carbon / Wood Laminated Boat Steering Wheel fitted to the Baltic 152′ Pink Gin, features alternating layers of Teak, Holly and Carbon Fiber, forming a unique blend of traditional and modern building materials. Hand built by third generation master craftsmen, each boat wheel is built to the customers specifications, combining woods of your choice with composite materials sealed with clear Awl Grip.
Twin Edson custom boat wheels aboard Baltic 152
Edson leads in Powerboat steering wheels with the Stainless Comfort Grip Power Wheel. Edson’s production power boat steering wheels are quality built in the USA. You may add features such as a steering knob and custom engraved center nuts. From modern stainless steel destroyer wheels to cast aluminum character wheels offering a traditional look, Edson builds a powerboat steering for you.
Edson powergrip power boat steering wheel
Edson steering wheels for modern sailboats are most often destroyer boat wheels mounted to an Edson steering pedestal. Offered for virtually every production and custom sailboat, Edson supplies a steering system, steering pedestal or steering wheel that will fit you vessel.
Sevylor - Just in Time for Summer
May 2, 2008
In 1948 in a city suburb of Vitry, France, an electronics engineer established a company called “Societe Electronique de Vitry, “Sevy” for short. While their main product was electrical accessories, Sevylor set up a unit to use their “high-frequency” welding machines to manufacture PVC consumer goods.
Quickly outgrowing their facilities, they moved to Buhl, located in the Alsace region of Eastern France near the German border. Once these headquarters were established, the letters “l’or” (French for gold) were added to the name and they began expanding into boats, inflatable pools, pumps, valves and other water toys.
U.S. distribution began in 1959 when Kayak Corporation of America signed an exclusive agreement to sell directly to the public at sport shows and other events. Sevylor developed the first camping mattress, which was sold exclusively through Neiman Marcus.
Sevylor makes history in 1962 with the creation of the inflatable pool mattress with a headrest and circular pockets.
In 1972 Sevylor bought Kayak Corp. and created Sevylor U.S.A. Inc., and development exclusively for the US market began. The Zodiac Group took over Sevylor and all its subsidiaries in 1981.
The creation of the “Ski Bob” in 1986 marked the beginning of the entire towables business.
Now a part of the Stearns Inc. family, all of Sevylor’s products are high quality and feature construction and materials engineered for safety and long life.
Edson Marine Steering Systems and Pedestals
May 1, 2008
Edson Marine Steering Systems and Pedestals
Edson Corporation is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Massachusetts and the United States, producing boat steering wheels, marine steering pedestals and manual bilge pumps. Founded in 1859 by Jacob Edson, the Edson Corporation designs and manufactures specialty marine hardware for both commercial and pleasure boats.
Edson’s First New Beford Factory
Edson’s first, and still produced, steering system, is the 1902 Meteor worm steering system for Kaiser Wilheim’s 161’ yacht “Meteor”. This famous yacht, with its rugged Edson steering gear was Germany’s unrealized entry in the America’s Cup race.
Kaiser Wilheim’s 161’ yacht “Meteor”
Edson continued steering designs with Edson emergency steering systems being fitted to all WWI Hog Island freighters and Liberty ships. In WWII the famous Elco PT boats as well as other naval and merchant vessels are equipped with Edson emergency steering systems and Edson pumps.
Elco PT 80′ - Jungle Paint Scheme
Steering systems were to give way to Edson steering pedestals on modern personal sailboats and offshore racing sailboats, from 18′ Catalina to 152′ Baltic, and beyond. Edson installed the first steering system fitted to a fiberglass production sailboat in 1959.
Balti 152 - “Pink Gin”
Edson Steering Pedestals lead the way in small sailboat steering for anything over 20′. Edson builds a steering pedestal system for virually every production sailboat with the ability to fit to any rudder, cockpit, transom arrangement.
Boat Zincs and Anodes
April 8, 2008
Go2marine now offers Performance Metals Zincs / Anodes for outdrives, sterndrives, propeller shaft and propellers. 
Performance Metals produces both traditional zinc and premium high performance Navalloy anodes for use in fresh, brackish and salt water.
- Navalloy anodes are environmentally safe, heavy metals zinc poison the environment.
- Anodes are available in full kits and individual anodes for your sterndrive, shaft and hull anodes.
- Most Performance Metals anodes and zincs have a “Red Dot” wear indicator to help insure timely anode replacement.
For a limited time, Premium Mercuiser Aluminum Anodes, Alpha & Bravo Drive Anode Kits and Premium Volvo Aluminum Anodes, Complete Anode Drive Kits with Hardware are on sale at Go2marine.com.
Hull Anodes / Zincs
Hull zinc anodes are used when you have underwater fittings bonded together electrically. The hull zinc depletes instead of underwater metal fittings. These anodes must be carefully monitored to protect the propeller, through-hulls or entire the hull of metal boats.
Shaft, Propeller & Rudder Anodes / Zincs
Shaft zincs or anodes are typically fashioned in two pieces and bolted together around the propeller shaft. Propeller zincs may be a ring zinc or a zinc prop nut. Metal rudders, struts and fins are easily protected with zinc anode disks bolted through them.
