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Random Quote: Ain't no room in the woods for lying dogs
I am looking at a boat that the brochure boasts that they have a stainless steel rub rail. Which is better stainless or rubber based on the following: I will bump, bang and rub into the dock and the boat launch. I would assume the stainless steel would scratch and would not protect the surrounding gel coat from scratches and dings. If you have experience with this type of rub rail, please chime in.
YO, Baxter, them rails ain’t “rubber” their “blubber”….. If you don’t do something with that sig pic you’re NEVER going to get an answer…… Assuming that you were serious….
I opted for the rubber rails over the stainless. In fact, I specifically ordered mine w/out the ss rub rails. They look great when you drive it off the lot and the first time on the water, but a few real world dockings at a less than ideal ramp or dock and it looks like crap forever. The rubber is much more forgiving..
__________________ - Chris
Guess What?? I got a Fever.. And the only prescription is.. MORE COWBELL!
-2011 Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay / Yamaha F300 4.2 with Command Link Plus
-2003 Sea Fox 195 Bayfisher - Mercury 125 Saltwater Classic (Sold)
-1994 Wellcraft V-20 Step Lift (Sold)
I have the SS rubrails on my new 242 Albemarle and they are ten times better then the rubber ones on my Parker. Get the SS they last.They still look new and I hit and bang into the pillings at the boat ramp.
Dale
Reelwork, if beatings improve moral, you couldn’t beat me enough to make her beautiful…..
Very true, the beatings can only go so far..
__________________ - Chris
Guess What?? I got a Fever.. And the only prescription is.. MORE COWBELL!
-2011 Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay / Yamaha F300 4.2 with Command Link Plus
-2003 Sea Fox 195 Bayfisher - Mercury 125 Saltwater Classic (Sold)
-1994 Wellcraft V-20 Step Lift (Sold)
there - that's better - I think if you are going to take some big bashes - the rubber is better - if you don't hink that will happen, the stainless looks better but looks really bad if you've banged it with a concrete piling..Kinda like running around with a bashed in fender on your car...
I have never understood the the use of SS rub rails. The purpose of the rub rail is to protect the boat. Rubber/composite rails help absorb the shock that would otherwise be directly transfered to the gunnel fiberglass. Rubber rails will save the glass from damage much better than stainless.
Rubber rails will save the glass from damage much better than stainless.
EXACTLY! Hit the nail on the head...
__________________ - Chris
Guess What?? I got a Fever.. And the only prescription is.. MORE COWBELL!
-2011 Blue Wave 2400 Pure Bay / Yamaha F300 4.2 with Command Link Plus
-2003 Sea Fox 195 Bayfisher - Mercury 125 Saltwater Classic (Sold)
-1994 Wellcraft V-20 Step Lift (Sold)
I have never understood the the use of SS rub rails. The purpose of the rub rail is to protect the boat. Rubber/composite rails help absorb the shock that would otherwise be directly transfered to the gunnel fiberglass. Rubber rails will save the glass from damage much better than stainless.
What he said.
My Whaler has a massive commercial grade rubber rail and it has held up much better than my other boats stainless rail. When they get a little chewed up you can sand them too.
Rub Rail: Stainless vs. Rubber/Plastic 
