Synthetic Toe Rail Material/Rub Rail

[Bob L]

I recently helped deliver a 60 ft ketch, and although my fellow crew members thought it appalling, I found the black plastic/hard rubber toe rail quite nice. It took a beating and didn't need varnishing. The piece actually looked and felt like the the black band you find on an escalator.

Now I'm looking at a new project boat with trashed exterior teak. The toe rail is split and falling apart in several places and if I buy the boat, it will need to be replaced.

Does anyone know anything about the black synthetic toe rail material like I described? Any tips, or alternatives to wood are appreciated.

While I'm at it, the teak rub rail is ... rubbed off... Any suggestions on a sythetic replacement for that? I thought about replicating it in fiberglass by buying a sheet of thin FRP (from McMaster Carr), ripping it into strips, and then laminating the stips on top of each other on the hull. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Bob

[Figment]

Lots of the workboats around here have been using "trex" (synthetic lumber usually used on backyard decks, etc.) in such applications. While not really cheap, it's cheaper than anything you'll buy with a "marine" label.

Personally, I dig it for workboats, but on a yachty-type boat it's a bit out of place. Particularly if that boat has actual wood in other locations nearby.

I think the Hamilton Marine catalog has lots of rubber shape profiles for things like rubrails and toerails. Not sure, though, I lost my hamilton catalog a while back.

[JonnyBoats]

I think the Hamilton Marine catalog has lots of rubber shape profiles for things like rubrails and toerails.

Yes, Hamilton has an excellection selection in both black and white plastic which will take lots of scrapes and hard nocks. It is what is used on all the lobster boats here in Maine.

As to looks, each person will have to decide for themselves what is acceptable.