# rub rails **URL:** \ **Category:** Builder's Forum\ **Created:** [August 30, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572 "2010-08-30T19:16:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Thaler](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/forum.clcboats.com/daniel_thaler/32/313_2.png) [@Daniel\_Thaler](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Daniel_Thaler)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/1 "2010-08-30T19:16:31Z")
So there I was, minding my own business (in  a group of 25) ![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4pVQ9COW9kM/THw6Sdd7KvI/AAAAAAAALK0/t69Pcb8qWL4/s640/P8280076.JPG)  in the East river and the only question I got was "where are your rub rails?" Has any one ever installed them after the fact? Do I need to sand down to the fiberglass to glue them on securely? Should they be glassed over or is epoxy enough as they will most likely be sacrificial? Dan    ---
**Author:** ![pag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@pag](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/pag)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/2 "2010-08-30T20:11:13Z")
Dan, The only "after the fact" is the varnish.  The rails go on tope of everything else.  I have them on botht my boats.  Don't try to glass over them.  Very hard to get it around all those corners and not cecessary.  Just sand thru the varnish and epoxy and nail them on.  Use some masking to avoid sanding more area than you want. Good Luck Paul ---
**Author:** ![David\_Donaldson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@David\_Donaldson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Donaldson)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:58am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/3 "2010-08-31T10:58:20Z")
For my SOF, I screwed them on using #8 3/4 brass screws with a plug to cover the counter sunk hole.  They were bedded with silicone and installed after final paint.  I taped and lightly varnished.  This way they are removable for replace/repair should the need arise.  Just over a year and they look as good as day 1.  ---
**Author:** ![David\_Donaldson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@David\_Donaldson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Donaldson)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:59am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/4 "2010-08-31T10:59:22Z")
P.S. for my WD12, no rub rails.  after a couple months and lots of paddles, no problems ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Haertl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5e9695/32.png) [@Chris\_Haertl](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Chris_Haertl)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/5 "2010-08-31T22:29:21Z")
Kayaks have rub rails? ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Thaler](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/forum.clcboats.com/daniel_thaler/32/313_2.png) [@Daniel\_Thaler](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Daniel_Thaler)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/6 "2010-09-01T05:42:09Z")
Chris, I think it depends on the kind of paddling you are doing. It seems to me if you are in a more urban environment with docks, piers and other boaters it might not be a bad idea.  I'm not sure I'm going to do it, but my boat did acquire new scratches when clumping together with other yaks (rafting) and rub rails might have helped. I plan on sanding and doing a few more coats of varnish this winter, so I will probably decide then. Any thoughts on the best wood? Dan  ---
**Author:** ![David\_Donaldson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@David\_Donaldson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/David_Donaldson)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 8:52am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/rub-rails/37572/7 "2010-09-01T08:52:19Z")
I used Cherry and am very happy with the result.  It is very hard, I have bounced off lots of stuff (including rafting) although there are a couple of scuffs, no dents.