Toe Rail Info: Design and Repairs

[bviKetch]

The toe rail on our 1979 Dickerson 41, ON EAGLES' WINGS, needs work. Over the years a growing gap has developed between the teak toe rail and the fiberglass deck. We have been caulking it each season, but moisture has gotten in between the rail and the fiberglass. The rail will not hold finish in places and has become spongy in several spots. Our maintenance man in the BVI is suggesting we completely remove the toe rail, do any necessary fiberglass/gel coat  repair, and then install a new, or partially new, toe rail. We have one estimate of $10,000 for this project.

Before we go any further with this I would like to get more information:
1) How was this constructed? Is there continuous fiberglass and gel coat from the deck, under the toe rail, to the hull? Or (I hope not!) is there an exposed joint that is covered and sealed by the toe rail? If there isn't good information about the construction of this joint I think we need to cut out a section and confirm what we are dealing with.
2) Is there anyone in the Dickerson Community who has faced this problem? Any suggestions based on experience?
3) I wonder if there is a sealant/adhesive that is of low enough viscosity that it could be injected under pressure under the toe rail. Is there such a substance that can work its way into this small gap?
Thanks, in advance, for any feedback.
Art Pearce

[bviKetch]

In searching through the Dickerson forum I found a discussion concerning the repair of cracks and leaks and learned of CAPTAIN TOLLEYS Crack Cure Sealant. It sounds as though this product could take care of at least some of our concerns about water penetration under the toe rail. I also think I will try it in the areas surrounding our portholes and hatches.

[Fleet Captain]

Hi Art,

I've used Captain Tolley's with some success.  It is extremely viscous and will only work on the smallest of hairline cracks although I've stopped some with multiple (up to 20) applications.  It will find it's way into the tightest of places.  And of course, actually finding the leak location is sometimes the toughest part of the job.  Good luck.

[Mike Aitken]

Silly question….

Is the deck on the “79” 41 solid fiberglass (out of a mold) or is it the same as our 1973 D36 – Fiberglass covered Plywood over 2 x2 stringers?….

If it's the plywood over glass – like “IRIS”  , the toe rail  “sits” on top of a laminate of glass cloth – the same fiberglass laminate Dickerson used to cover the deck wraps under the rails…….  Ours has a “doubled up” laminate of around 6-7 oz fiberglass….Although I've found “single laminate” areas in a couple of spots..  The fiberglass is pretty intact under the rail (except under the areas that rotted) ….The fiberglass can crack on the exposed radius if hit ( and leaks) ……The “joint” where this fiberglass ends is hidden behind the rub rail – the glass just wraps over the ply edge (to protect the “edge grain”) and drops a couple inches………..No joint under the rail.

The “”culprit” is the sealant that the rail is “bedded” in.  From what I can gather it seems to me to be an old-style ” bedlast” type sealant- some Linseed oil type sealant we used in the 1960's & 70's…… The sealant all  dries out and looks like a piece of old newspaper that breaks into “dust” and does absolutely NOTHING to seal the joint.  …How do I know??…I had to take my rails 100% off IRIS  to fix rotted areas under the rails……  The sealant was entirely gone….100% not working….The only thing keeping water out from under the  rail (and more importantly , out of the plywood, via bolt holes,  under the rail….was the light caulk and paint that was “slathered” up the toe rail 1/8 – 1/4 inch on the inner side of the rail……….Thanks to the prior owner….(still leaked)

I wonder if all the nuts were removed from the inside of the rail bolts , and “lightly” tapped, if the rail would not lift up ( all you need is 1/4 inch).  I did not see any screws on the rail when I removed mine…The only screws were in the stern “block” areas…..

Or perhaps cut a chamfer on the inside/outside of the rail where it meets the deck & caulk with brown boatlife – sticks well, flexible………….I'd suspect that's where the water is probably coming from…..

I have pictures of the rails off if you need to see…..Just a thought….
Best,
Mike

[bviKetch]

Thanks for that information. I would like to see the toe rail pictures you have since it may help me confirm that our toe rail is the same as yours. If you can post them here, great. Otherwise please send to my email: artpearce@hotmail.com
Thanks!

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