Grassing Rails

[Phil Nowack]

I have thought about most things in this build... I think... but I am not sure what to do about grassing the boat.... The general guidelines...I use Prairie Cord Grass for vegetation. I want a high and low connection point for the grass. On my last boat, the grassing rails were crude and functional. I would really like this vessel to have just as functional grassing rails, but far less crude. I would be zip tieing on bundles of grass to these rails. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Chris Finch]

Eric has a pretty good explanation of how he made his under the scaup build. Mohagany, brass bolts, and spar would be fancy.

Or you could buy plastic ones from Tony

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Phil~

I've been following your build with interest and admiration - you certainly went at it hammer and tongs!

A few thoughts re grass rails. Since you are lashing bundles on - as opposed to wedginging your grass between the rails and the hull - you can use a lighter wood than the traditional White Oak (or treated SYP). I would be tempted to use Cypress because it's relatively inexpensive, available in clear and rot resistant. I would make them 3/4"h x 1 1/4"w with 1/4" thick spacers every foot or so.

Are there spots where it might be useful if the grass bundles "gave" a little bit? I'm thinking areas where it might get beat up/broken off in use. You might consider two rows of heavy shock cord instead of rigid rails so that the grass can spring out of the way.

Also, when I bundle my thatch, I use a natural twine so I can just cut everything off after the season and let it rot down - maybe as mulch on a garden. A square knot holds it all season.

This is how I fasten Salt Hay to my gunning coffins:

All the best,

SJS

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

Phil, I have seen fast grass attached to plastic fencing or coated wire then attached to the batten boards. Can be removed and hung up garaged. Fill in spots like Steve tied in his.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Phil,

I did the same as Eric and used Mahogany for wood. I stuff mine rather than zip tie and I only have one rail running the full length. (not two)

 

[Gerald N]

Or get lazy, modern and less traditional and use zip ties to fasten the grass. As the grass dries a pair of pliers can be used to grab the stub of the cut tie to cinch down and tighten up the bundle.