Alum. Toe Rail Replacement

NP336 · **Joined:** 16 Mar 2007 16:10 **Posts:** 143

Got a buddy looking at a T37.
Problem is that it has an Alum toe rail.
I told him it can't be original since S&S T37 came with teak rails.
Has anybody replaced a alum. Rail with a teak one?
Any idea on approx. cost?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

I believe it is original and this boat is most likely the deep draft version meant to race. It was probably one of the early versions when they referred to the deep draft version as a 38

NP336 · **Joined:** 16 Mar 2007 16:10 **Posts:** 143

She's a T37. CB and all..
My question is, is it even feasible to take out Alum. Toe rail and replace it with a real
Teak rail? Is it held together with 5200?
Any idea on cost?

Tortuga's Lie · **Joined:** 27 Oct 2006 10:32 **Posts:** 827

Anything is possible but I don't think it would be cheap ! I also believe that Tartan used butyl tape for this joint so although it seals well, it really isn't structural.nm

Down2TheC · **Posted:** 27 Jun 2015 08:57

Here's the most economical method for doing that I think. Pretty simple three step process.

1. Buy T37 with teak rail
2. Move stuff
3. Sell other T37.

(Optional steps)
4. Repaint name on new boat.
5. Update the fleet roster with info on your new hull number.

conch · **Joined:** 21 Jan 2010 12:57 **Posts:** 168

Well, if you do remove the aluminum rail and it isn't ruined in the process, I'll buy it from you. I'd much prefer the aluminum rail, as it provides all those lovely means of attachment for vangs, blocks, lifeline netting & etc.

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

I agree that changing it out would be exceedingly expensive. The hull to deck fasteners were tapped into a metal rail embedded in the hull to deck joint and it would mean removing these (possible at this point???) and then tapping new ones. That would leave some holes in the system that would seem likely to leak. Also, the cost of teak has gone up to the point that you would probably need to find an alternative or seek a second mortgage to finance it. Substituions are available, but they have their own issues. I would agree that you should buy another boat if you don't like the metal rail.
I would be interested in the hull number of this boat. I recall that one or two of them were raced in the SORC and did not do that well as boats were getting flatter bottoms (better for speed, worse for sea going comfort) around that time and the Tartan 37 as a racing boat lost out first to C&C and CAL boats and eventually J Boats on the race course. I prefer my T 37 for performance cruising as I have yet (after 24 years of ownership) to find a better cross of comfort and speed. Mine is a deep fin, single spreader rig, with an original teak rail.

Ray
Velera #373

ByronH · **Joined:** 27 Aug 2008 09:24 **Posts:** 40

Hull 444

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

That would be one of the very last ones produced. Not, as I suggested, one of the early ones.

Tartan37.com

Alum. Toe Rail Replacement

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