MacGregorSailors.com

I'm in need of a rubrail replacement, and after searching it seems that the BWY replacement is inferior to the original. Does anyone know where to procure a rubrail that is equal to the original?

Need one as well. In for answers

This is on my list also. However, I wanted to launch this weekend, but have put it off till next. Here's a video of one being replaced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Ib9j47LnY I assumed that BWY would supply one that is the same or better than the original. How do you know that it is inferior?

Jeff

C Buchs wrote:This is on my list also. However, I wanted to launch this weekend, but have put it off till next. Here's a video of one being replaced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Ib9j47LnY I assumed that BWY would supply one that is the same or better than the original. How do you know that it is inferior?
Jeff

I purchased a new rub rail from them and it was identical to the factory supplied. Not sure why you think that it's inferior. Don't forget, they also sell the fiberglass caps for the ends in case you break the old ones removing them. I didn't buy them and a year later took the old chipped and discolored ones off and replaced them. Search this page as I and others have given detailed step by step instructions on replacing this.

@Ivan Awfulitch - was your rubrail purchased recently? There's another (recent) thread in the Powersailor Discussion forum where the OP states that what he received from BWY was made of vinyl and thinner than the original. My guess is that whatever rubrail BWY is selling these days is made by Taco Marine.

Clipster wrote:...There's another (recent) thread in the Powersailor Discussion forum where the OP states that what he received from BWY was made of vinyl and thinner than the original. My guess is that whatever rubrail BWY is selling these days is made by Taco Marine.

Would you please provide a link to the thread? BWY is not known for providing inferior parts and I would like to investigate the problem, but I cannot find the postings to which you refer.

~Rich

Rich,

Check "Rub Rail Replacement" by dthiesmeyer on this site. He says he got a vinyl rail from BWY.

Ken

Thanks Ken, my search was using "rubrail".

~Rich

Not purchased from Taco Marine. We are buying in large amounts directly from the people who make it, the same as MacGregor and Tattoo Yachts purchased. I will go open one of the 500 boxes we have....it better be the same! I would like to know when this was purchased? Cheryl

I've been putting off doing that job, but it's getting to be time, so I'm watching this with interest. The original seems about right for a boat this size, and I don't want a poor substitute.

bwygirl,

I purchased the replacement rub rail from you back in September or October of 2015 along with a couple stations for my 2010 26M. The rub rail material is vinyl and not very thick. It is currently in my boat in storage for a few more weeks. When I get it out of storage, I will measure the material and take pictures of the cross section for comparison to the original. Thank you for your concern.

Dave

Just opened a new box of rub rail. It is the same thing we have been selling for years. It is the same as both the MacGregor Factory and Tattoo Yachts sold and installed on all the boats. In fact, Tattoo Yachts and us shared a shipment in 2014. The manufacturer asked us to purchase so much before he would make it that it took both our companies to use that much. Now we have been purchasing ourselves. We have about 500 boxes! All the same stuff! Very rubbery, not vinyl. I would suggest that the fellow who purchased the rub rail take off his old one and compare before making the statement that we are selling inferior product.

Rub rail on your boats is intended to lightly protect the boat from a bump as you dock. It is not intended as protection like a fender. Many boats do not even have a rubber rub rail, many have just an aluminum edge. When docking you must use fenders, properly inflated, proper size (not super tiny) and at the right height. We recommend at least 3 fenders, and when leaving your boat unsupervised at the dock use 4 or more! Make sure that the fender whips are securely tied, and not made of yellow nylon line! That yellow nylon (crab pot line) does not stand up in the sun and deteriorates quickly. Lastly to protect your boat, check on it often. We are having a wind storm today, I plan to check on my boat later on!

Another way the rub rail may be getting damaged is when putting the boat on the trailer. Be sure that the trailer guide posts are covered so they don't scratch the boat or the rub rail. Also, I have seen a lot of people putting the trailers in too deep. Be sure the boat can float on to the trailer, but use the motor if possible to push it the last few inches.

When I was new to my first 1988 MacGregor boat, back in 1988. I had to sail back to the dock, because I had such a great day motoring around all day and ran out of gas. Well I did not have fenders in the right place to protect from the dock, yup damaged my rub rail. So it happens to everyone. Last time I docked my boat, last month, yup scratched the hull.

Boating is fun, sad to hurt the boat, do your best and don't be shy about fenders! Smile when you are sailing!

Dave, do take off a section from your boat. Send it to us. I would like to see that it is different. I would think not. We went to the same manufacturer as both MacGregor and Tattoo Yachts. Tattoo Yachts even shared a shipment with us once.

@ bwygirl

Do you see on the rubrail box what kind of material it is exactely?

Thanks!