Toe Rails (East Coast Triton's)

Mark Parker, #516, All Ways

All Ways toerail is mahogany, a full 1" by 3 3/4" (cut down from 6/4 stock, which is what I used for the coaming). It is attached with 3 1/2" #14 silicone bronze screws spaced every 6", but what REALLY holds it on I suspect is about 3 tubes of 5200. Since I couldn't get (or handle) a 30' piece, it has one splice right in the middle where the bronze chocks are. I cut a 12:1 taper, glued with epoxy and then reinforced with very light and transparent glass cloth on both sides. I predrilled each board with 1/2" countersink (only about 1/2" deep so most of the screw is in the wood) and clearance hole for screw. A friend and I wrestled each floppy 30' rail into place and starting at the center, drilled the FG toerail and installed a screw. We worked our way back and then forward, pulling the toerail into place, drilling and screwing. When everything fit, we backed out all the screws about 1", pried the toerail up and squirted 5200 between the wood and the old FG toerail. (I had cut a cove in the underside of the wood ahead of time so only the two outside edges actually hit the FG.) We then removed each screw, one at a time, squirted more 5200 in the hole, and drove it home tight. We then went back and bunged each hole. Once the 5200 cured, I trimmed off the squeeze-out, faired the edge to the hull and finished the

toerail with 6 coats of Bristol Finish.

In addition to looking sharp, the new toerail provides an incredible increase in confidence for my wife. The deck really feels secure now. I'd be happy to answer any questions if anyone else is considering such a project.