[Public-List] Taffrail Replacement Update

[J Bergquist]

Yo Andrew-

I also have a problem with my taffrail (it's broken and needs to be
replaced). This was not really high on my list right now, but since you're
doing it, we could compare notes. I have thought about it a fair bit. I
think you have a different arrangement than I do on my boat (in fact, I can
remember noticing that when I helped you take your mast down last year...).
I have the ventilated system as you call it. I was thinking of making a new
top plate to replace the old one (that's what is broken). I actually do like
the ventilated system not because I take a lot of green water over the poop
deck, but because when I hose the boat down it's nice having scuppers back
there for the water to drain off the deck.

A couple of thoughts:

1. I don't think my top plate is 3/4" thick. I think it's more like 1/2".

2. I am pretty sure that the plate itself is NOT crowned to match the deck
crown. The blocks to which the top plate is screwed are tapered to match the
deck but the top plate itself is all in one plane. I could be wrong about
this as I have not looked at it closely.

3. One possibility if you are hell-bent on the curvature would be to make a
bentwood lamination. It actually would not be THAT hard to do such a thing.
I used to make bent laminations for stairway handrails when I worked as a
carpenter in college. I have never made an epoxy lamination, but there is no
reason you could not do this, in fact that is how cold molded wood boats are
built. All you need is a set of forms, re-sawn teak veneers (say 1/8"
thick), glue, and time. I don't think teak steam bends very well (it is
extremely dense and oily therefore I don't think it will soak up the steam
like oak or ash). So I don't think you will have much success with that
technique.

If you want to inspect my boat, you are welcome to do so. In fact, I could
meet you at the boat on Saturday morning before the seminar.

Also, we can discuss further in person tomorrow evening if you want.

Later,

JB

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