vinyl trim for fiberglass boat edging sources?

bob welsh

bob welsh

Well-known member
Im looking for vinyl trim for a fiberglass skiff gunwale edge. I lost some on the fleet over the years. Its like the stuff on automobile doors. Ive found the stuff online at various outlets just looking for a popular source for bulk. bob
 
bob welsh said:
Im looking for vinyl trim for a fiberglass skiff gunwale edge. I lost some on the fleet over the years. Its like the stuff on automobile doors. Ive found the stuff online at various outlets just looking for a popular source for bulk. bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

Search for McMaster-Carr. On their webpage look under surface guards and trims. They have a warehouse in Chicago.
 
I use a product called Trim Lok. Comes out of California.
I had a supplier in Elkhart, IN for a long time but they went belly up.
Right now I have enough to keep me going for a while.
You can buy from the manufacturer but a distributor would be less expensive.
I would do a search for that product on google.
Lou
 
Ed L. said:
bob welsh said:
Im looking for vinyl trim for a fiberglass skiff gunwale edge. I lost some on the fleet over the years. Its like the stuff on automobile doors. Ive found the stuff online at various outlets just looking for a popular source for bulk. bob
Click to expand...

Bob,

Search for McMaster-Carr. On their webpage look under surface guards and trims. They have a warehouse in Chicago.
Click to expand...

I'll second https://www.mcmaster.com . I have bought trim from them in the past and they have a rather large selection, and a million other products as well. Shipping is lightning fast too. I usually have orders within two days to my door.

Eric
 
Steve, what adhesive did you use to attach the trim? Mine is coming loose this season. Also falling apart after maybe 40-50 years. Guess it's pass the warranty now. My boat was a early one with two digit number under the fore deck. It was bought at the LI National Decoy Show in the 60's.
Anyone have a early boat? Mine didn't come with foam or a drain plug. Steve have you retro fitted any with a plug? If so any pics, I'm getting tired of hand pumping...
 
Good morning, Rich~


No adhesive needed. I'm guessing the spring steel core in your original stuff has rusted, et cetera. I just tap mine into place with a rubber mallet. Where the two ends butt together I use either copper rivets or brass machine screws.


I clean up and sand (80-grit) the edge of the hatch before installing the new edge guard. I paint the hatch AFTER the new guard is on.



As I recall, 15 feet of trim are needed for a South Bay hatch.


Here I used the brass machine screws - and filed the nut ends smooth to protect hands, decoys, dogs, etc.





View attachment Hatch 06 - Edging fasteners filed smooth.JPG





I have yet to install a drain plug in a South Bay. I wouldn't own a trailered boat without one. I design both the Motor Board and the Backer Board so that plenty of space is available for one.


View attachment sm 01 SSB Motor Board - backing plate.JPG



That hole bored near the bottom of the Motor Board is so a drain plug can be tied there with some decoy line. I also keep a spare in my tool kit.


Obviously, I use the plug from the outside of the boat - too cramped and inconvenient inside.



View attachment sm 02 Motor Board x - Installed aft.jpg



I will be purchasing the special flaring tool for drain plugs soon. Let me know if you need to borrow it - much easier than peening the raw lip by hand. This photo is from my own Sneakbox (2016). I had the decks off so access for peening was OK.



View attachment Drain 4.jpg



I cannot recall whether I set the new drain tube in 3M 5200 or epoxy. (Note that I located the drain tube dead center - the boat manufacturer - unknown - was not as precise with the skeg.)



View attachment Drain 5a.jpg



Hope this helps.



See you in Hauppauge!


SJS

 
Steve, didn't flare the plug in other boats, epoxied in and seamed to hold. Is it better to flare both sides? Is there a place to get the trim by the foot. Probably won't need any extra for the future...
 
Rich~


Yes - I would definitely flare both ends.


The e-mail I gave up above - Babs RV & Marine - is where I get mine buy-the-foot.


All the best,


SJS
 
Hi fellas sorry for the delayed reply. Geese had to be shot. Aaaannnddd I am through for the season. Thanks for all the info. I have a Mcmaster Carr right in town where i live so its easy. I will check the other sources as well.
Hi Lou have not heard from you in awhile!
 
Bob, this doesn't impact you, but you can purchase this flexible locking vinyl trim with an aluminum core, rather than standard steel for users in a marine environment. I know Olsen Marine uses aluminum core on their new boats, since I am the one who gave them the source.
 
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