R-21 gunwale trim bezels

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

Had 4 that were cracked. The folks at Fantastic Fiberglass in Stuart, FL did awesome work. The 4 long Starboard (material name) were $175 total. They do need to be heated and bent into shape. You can mail your old ones to them and they will replicate better that the originals, including countersunk screw holes. These guys are advanced craftsmen with plastics. 3355 SE Dixie Hwy., Stuart, FL 34997.(772)223-8005.

 

[SGIDAVE]

Please post pics when you can

david

 

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

I posted 4 pics of the replacement gunwale trim bevels on my Album. These exceeded my expectation. I highly recommend these guys. Only had to redrill 2 holes that did not perfectly line up. Just heated them up in a cooker and they bent right into shape.

 

[pwrenntug]

Hi, there. I'm also going to call these guys tomorrow. Thanks so much for sending there info, and posting the pics! What was the turn around time? Also, when you say "cooker," what did you mean by that? 🙂

Thanks, again!

Best,
Penelope

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hi, there. I'm also going to call these guys tomorrow. Thanks so much for sending there info, and posting the pics! What was the turn around time? Also, when you say "cooker," what did you mean by that? 🙂

Thanks, again!

Best,
Penelope

Hello Penelope,

I had the same question. From GA-Midnight Cruise photo album I find this pic

That "cooker" is also known as a turkey fryer. I assume he heated the plastic strip in WATER to make it pliable so it would easily conform to the curves of the R21.

As far as turn around time maybe he'll chime in.

/david

 

[pwrenntug]

Thanks, David!

I was hoping just a hair dryer would work but it looks like I'm going to get out the crab cooker or the big drums my dad used to bend wood in when he was building sailboats!

One more question, if you don't mind, when you put them back on, did you use a base seal of any sort? When I first took them off, they were so gross underneath and my dad said it was probably dried up base seal used to keep the moisture out ... but I hadn't seen where anyone had mentioned using any.

Sorry for all of the questions!

Thanks, again!
P

 

[SGIDAVE]

Thanks, David!

I was hoping just a hair dryer would work but it looks like I'm going to get out the crab cooker or the big drums my dad used to bend wood in when he was building sailboats!

One more question, if you don't mind, when you put them back on, did you use a base seal of any sort? When I first took them off, they were so gross underneath and my dad said it was probably dried up base seal used to keep the moisture out ... but I hadn't seen where anyone had mentioned using any.

Sorry for all of the questions!

Thanks, again!
P

Well, a hair dry MIGHT work....depends how HOT it gets and how much you need to bend the plastic piece. Simply putting it into a warm oven might work too...like 150 degrees or LESS.

I would seal the holes where the screws penetrate the gunwhale surface. I don't see a need to "seal" under the plastic since there is NOTHING to protect.

Here (http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware) is a GREAT tutorial on how to bed (or "seal") deck fixtures. This is the RIGHT way but you rarely see it done like this.

Be sure to post some pictures of the finished repair.

/david

 

[pwrenntug]

Again, wow. I totally have "Marine sealant failure" as depicted, on other parts of my deck ...!

I'll definitely post photos of the repair! 🙂

 

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

Sorry for the delay in responding. I was in town that week and dropped them off at their shop on a Monday, they had them done by Wed. I flew them back as carry on luggage on Delta. I took a sleeve for a collapsable chair with a shoulder strap and it made negotiating them thru the airport a breeze. Yes, the cooker is a turkey fryer, we use them for Low Country Boils. Water does not need a rolling boil, just simmer temp worked fine. I did not bed them on my application.

 

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

This shop in Stuart, FL also goes by the name Marine Customs Unlimited. They have just finished their first broadcast season on Florida Sporstman's, "Project Dreamboat". Check them out on Youtube. You can see some awesome builds that Brian O'Donnel and his team does. Check out the 31' Bertram, that is now a Custom 35'.