Rub Rails, Spray Rails & Moulding

Rub Rails, Spray Rails, and Moulding for Boats - Resources & Information

To protect your vessel from damage from chafing while mooring or docking at the marina, Rub Rails, Spray Rails, & Moulding are essential parts of any boat. Here’s how they work:

• Also known as a “rub strake”, a rub rail is a narrow strip of material, typically metal, rubber, or vinyl, that runs along the edges of a boat, providing a cushioning effect to absorb impacts from docks and pilings. 
• Spray rails for boats are mounted on the side of the hull that keep the deck of your dry and passengers comfortable, but also serve as a lifting strake for quicker planing and better fuel economy. 
• Boat moulding is a catch-all term for the functional and aesthetic trim on your vessel, adding attractive trim to your cabin, separation between the hull and flooring, and creating practical features such as drainage channels or vents.

PartsVu offers a complete selection of Rub Rails, Spray Rails & Moulding from OEM manufacturers and trusted aftermarket suppliers. Whether you need a rub rail kit chrome-plated rail hardware, stainless steel rails for boats, and more, PartsVu has what you need to get the job done. 

Need help servicing your boat and outboard engine? PartsVu regularly publishes helpful how-to guides and other valuable boat maintenance information to help boaters service their outboard engines and vessels. Browse our outboard maintenance blog for a wide range of relevant topics and see the FAQ section below, covering everything you need to know about maintaining your boat in confidence.

Rub Rails, Spray Rails & Moulding FAQ

What should I know about Rub Rails, Spray Rails & Moulding?

Here’s some info you need to know about Rub Rails, Spray Rails & Moulding:

• Spray rails help divert spray away from the hull to keep the passengers dry. However, there are two (2) additional functions of spray rails: To generate additional lift and promote planing on the water. Therefore, if you’re looking for better performance on the water, make sure to install the right spray rails that fits your boat type. 
• Molding is commonly used in the construction of boats to create smooth, rounded edges and decorative features. This can include the use of molding on the exterior of the boat to create a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as on the interior of the boat to create functional and decorative features such as cabinetry, trim, and built-in furniture. Molding can also be used to create practical features on a boat, such as drainage channels or vents. 
• When installing your rub rails, spray rails, or molding, applying an adhesive is a good best-practice to ensure a water-tight fit. Use a marine adhesive that adheres to the rub rail material and the boat. However, if you choose to use an adhesive, uninstalling and replacing the material down the road may take more effort than simply replacing the rail mounting screws and other fasteners. 
• To get the most resale value for your boat, you may want to completely replace the rub rails, boat spray rails, and moulding on your entire vessel. Sellers tend to value a purchase on aesthetics not only for the look, but to determine how well maintained the boat and outboard motor(s) were taken care of during previous ownership. For example, if there are deep gouges in the rub rail, a seller may believe that the boat may have experienced some structural damage (even if there isn’t any visible damage).

What are toe rails used for?

A toe rail is a horizontal rail that is attached to the deck of a boat near the edge. It is called a "toe rail" because it provides a place for people to rest their feet when standing on the deck. Toe rails are typically made of wood or plastic and can be used for a variety of purposes, including providing a secure handhold when moving around the boat, attaching mooring lines, and attaching other deck hardware such as stanchions and cleats. Some boat toe rails also have a narrow channel along the top edge for draining water off the deck.

Is it better to replace the entire rub rail or can I do it in sections?

When it comes to replacing rub rails, the best practice is to leave as few seams as possible. Each break in the rub rail material, particularly rubber, leaves a space for water to infiltrate and stay behind the material. This moisture can be difficult to remove, and may cause your hull to rot or crack during storage.

By contrast, a continuous coil of non-porous rub rail material ensures there are less places for water to infiltrate. While many boaters want to save money and only replace sections - particularly if there are only a few gouges in certain spots (such as by the bow) - the truth of the matter is that a complete replacement is often necessary. 

Should I replace my railing and moulding myself?

In truth, most maintenance for boats and outboard motors are within the capabilities of amateur boaters that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Installing Rub Rails, Spray Rails, and Moulding is a relatively simple procedure for do-it-yourself boaters, but you may need an extra set of hands or specialized clamps when handling long strips of molding. 

How do I install rub rails on a boat?

To install rub rails on a boat, you will need a few tools and materials, including a drill, screws or bolts, adhesive, and the rub rail itself. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Measure the length of the rub rail and cut it to size, if necessary.
2. Clean the area where the rub rail will be installed and make sure it is dry.
3. Apply adhesive to the back of the rub rail.
4. Position the rub rail in place, making sure it is level and aligned properly.
5. Use a drill to attach the rub rail to the boat using screws or bolts.
6. Allow the adhesive to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

It is important to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific rub rail and adhesive, as the installation process may vary slightly. It is also a good idea to have a helper assist you with positioning and attaching the rub rail to ensure it is installed correctly. Last, refer to your owner’s manual for the exact specifications of which materials fit your boat model.

How do I perform a 100-hour service on my outboard engine?

To ensure proper engine function, it’s always best to service your outboard engine every 100 hours after the initial break-in period (first 10 hours) and after the first maintenance interval (at 20 hours). 

As an example, the following is a Suzuki outboard 100-hour service checklist to help you service your engine properly. Refer to your owner’s manual for your particular engine make and model for an exact list of 100-hour maintenance tasks:

What outboard engine tools should I have onboard?

Even if you don’t do your own maintenance, all boaters need some basic boat tools in their marine tool kits to help them out of a jam. Of course, if you plan to do your own maintenance or a portion of your own maintenance, you’ll need to be a bit better equipped.

So which boat tools should you have onboard? The following are our recommendations and the reasons behind them. Of course, the tools you should have onboard are significantly dictated by the type of boating you do. As a practical matter, a near-shore, freshwater boater needs fewer tools than an off-shore boater. While a problem close to the shore can be an annoyance, a problem off-shore might be a whole different matter.

• Fuel filter wrench—good idea to have on board if you get enough water or debris in your fuel system that a fuel filter change becomes necessary.
• Adjustable band filter wrench—you may need to change your fuel/water separating filter if you have water in your system or if you got some bad gas at the marina. US marinas nearly always sell high-quality filtered gasoline, but marinas in the Bahamas are notorious for selling contaminated gasoline.
• Prop nut wrench—carrying this wrench only makes sense if you carry a spare prop. Many boaters carry a spare inexpensive aluminum prop in case they spin a hub or bend a blade so severely that it wobbles.
• Deck fill key/deck plate key/spanner wrench—these universal tools are designed to open all types and sizes of deck fill lids and shackles. Many of these tools also include bonus tools like bottle openers. Perfect for a cold one after fishing.
• Toolkit—if you have room on your boat, all-purpose toolkits can come in handy. 
• Pliers—channel lock, standard, and needle nose
• Leatherman–a very helpful all-purpose tool.
• Rigging knife
• Serrated knife—for cutting rope, your all-purpose tool might include a serrated blade.
• Flashlight
• Emergency plug set—in case a leak manifests while you are out on the water.
• Battery booster pack
• Battery terminal cleaner
• Zip ties—because we all know that you can fix almost everything with zip ties and duct tape.
• Duct tape