Tapered Rubrails

Tapered Rubrails

Stitch and Glue Boatbuilding Tips

Rubrails are a traditional way to emphasize the fine sheerline of your boat. However, they can look a little bulky on the slim hulls of kayaks, so use your block plane to taper them at the bow and stern. As it rises to the bow, the taper in the rubrail mimics the sharpening of the bow, so that the two curves work together. It only takes a few moments with a hand plane but the result is a much more refined appearance.

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