Adding Railblaza tracks on an aluminum Jon with round edges?

[BoneDigger]

I have some Railblaza tracks that I had on my plastic boat that I would like to install on my new Alweld. I have lots of accessories already for it. I was thinking of adding aluminum angle along the edge and then mounting the tracks to that, but I'm not sure how that would work. Any ideas?

 

[LDUBS]

I think I know what it is but have never used RailBlaza tracks. I assume you want to mount them on the inside of the gunnel?

This is pure skunkworks. If you have access to a table saw, mill a couple of wedge shaped lengths out of HDPE plastic or PVC boards. Affix those to the hull and the brackets to the plastic. I did something similar to have a vertical surface to mount some down rigger brackets. Like this:

 

[Tin Man]

To use the Railblaza accessories, I mounted some T track along the inside top extrusion (gunnel) on my former Alumacraft V16. It worked very well.

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/gunnel-track-on-my-alumacraft-v16.50138/

 

[LDUBS]

To use the Railblaza accessories, I mounted some T track along the inside top extrusion (gunnel) on my former Alumacraft V16. It worked very well.

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/gunnel-track-on-my-alumacraft-v16.50138/

I remember that. It turned out really well.

 

[BoneDigger]

To use the Railblaza accessories, I mounted some T track along the inside top extrusion (gunnel) on my former Alumacraft V16. It worked very well.

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/gunnel-track-on-my-alumacraft-v16.50138/

That looks like a cost effective possibility. My concern is that since my boat has round gunnels, I'm not sure if this would work? In your pics it looks like you have flat edges to work with. Do you think these would be sturdy and secure enough on round gunnels? I had considered buying L Channel from Lowe's, attaching that to the gunnel with screws, then mounting the Railboaza or T channel to that. It would certainly be easier if I could get by mounting the t channel to the round gunnels directly. Thoughts?

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

That looks like a cost effective possibility. My concern is that since my boat has round gunnels, I'm not sure if this would work? In your pics it looks like you have flat edges to work with. Do you think these would be sturdy and secure enough on round gunnels? I had considered buying L Channel from Lowe's, attaching that to the gunnel with screws, then mounting the Railboaza or T channel to that. It would certainly be easier if I could get by mounting the t channel to the round gunnels directly. Thoughts?

Using aluminum angle to get a flat surface doesn't sound bad.

 

[Tin Man]

That looks like a cost effective possibility. My concern is that since my boat has round gunnels, I'm not sure if this would work? In your pics it looks like you have flat edges to work with. Do you think these would be sturdy and secure enough on round gunnels? I had considered buying L Channel from Lowe's, attaching that to the gunnel with screws, then mounting the Railboaza or T channel to that. It would certainly be easier if I could get by mounting the t channel to the round gunnels directly. Thoughts?

I agree. The angle alum on round gunnel and them T track on flat surface would probably be your best option. I tapped and used machine screws on my install....personal preference.

 

[Still Afloat]

That looks like a cost effective possibility. My concern is that since my boat has round gunnels, I'm not sure if this would work? In your pics it looks like you have flat edges to work with. Do you think these would be sturdy and secure enough on round gunnels? I had considered buying L Channel from Lowe's, attaching that to the gunnel with screws, then mounting the Railboaza or T channel to that. It would certainly be easier if I could get by mounting the t channel to the round gunnels directly. Thoughts?

If you need aluminum look around for an aluminum supplier. Most will sell to the public. Selection, quality and prices are typically much better than the box stores.

 

[Bailey Boat]

If you need aluminum look around for an aluminum supplier. Most will sell to the public. Selection, quality and prices are typically much better than the box stores.

Tiny Boat Nation has all and any alum you may need.....

 

[Still Afloat]

Tiny Boat Nation has all and any alum you may need.....

But not at a very good price point.

 

[wmk0002]

To use the Railblaza accessories, I mounted some T track along the inside top extrusion (gunnel) on my former Alumacraft V16. It worked very well.

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/gunnel-track-on-my-alumacraft-v16.50138/

Did you bend the t-track slightly? Looks like your gunnel has a light bend in it. Same as mine and I've been looking to do the same.

Which product did you go with for the t-track or is it just some generic one off of Amazon?

 

[Bailey Boat]

But not at a very good price point.

Find it somewhere else...... Don't forget most pieces come in 8' lengths.....

 

[Tin Man]

Did you bend the t-track slightly? Looks like your gunnel has a light bend in it. Same as mine and I've been looking to do the same.

Which product did you go with for the t-track or is it just some generic one off of Amazon?

Yes, the boat gunnel arcs/bends as it moves towards the bow. The T track was able to bend and follow the gunnel. T Track is generic and was sourced from Amazon. It comes in various colors.

Now, your alum angle will not bend. You'll have to use shorter pieces when you get to the section of the gunnel that arcs/bends.

 

[wmk0002]

Yes, the boat gunnel arcs/bends as it moves towards the bow. The T track was able to bend and follow the gunnel. T Track is generic and was sourced from Amazon. It comes in various colors.

Now, your alum angle will not bend. You'll have to use shorter pieces when you get to the section of the gunnel that arcs/bends.

True. Could maybe get away with notching the top side at intervals along the bend too.

I'd have to sit down and think about what I would really use the t-track for. A full length run seems a little excessive for my plans. Off hand, the things I'd like a t-track system for is a place to mount a rear catfish rod rack and a place to mount a bimini top. The flexibility of a t-track mounted bimini sounds so much better than having to drill and place a bunch of different anchor points if you want to change it up some.

 

[Tin Man]

Using notches in angle alum sounds good for achieving the bends needed.
I installed approx. 80% of gunnels with t- track. It provided me with numerous options for accessories....bimini, rod holders, tool storage, etc.
It was not expensive, nor difficult to install, so I opted for nearly full length tracks.

 

[LDUBS]

Below is a link to another past thread with a lot of discussion about mounting tracks or mounts along rounded gunnels. Might have some ideas.

https://www.tinboats.net/threads/gunwale-track.49963/post-494120

If we are talking about long T-tracks instead of shorter sections of Railblaza, I like the possibility of adapting @thill 's approach in post #39. If only attaching a T-track, then the PVC board could be a lot smaller. The idea is basically to add a 1x PVC board to the inside just below the rounded gunnel. Use something like 5200 to adhere it along with screws from the outside in. Then mount the T-track to the PVC board.

 

[BoneDigger]

Thanks everyone! I have quite a few Railblaza products, including a few rails. My hope is to run an aluminum L along the gunnel and attach the Railblaza channel to the L. I hope to get to this mid this week. I am worried about getting the angle right, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

 

[tom q vaxy]

if you put a straightedge across the gunnels, and keep the top edge of the aluminum tight to the bottom side of the straightedge,

at least it will be consistent.

as might be the scars on your shins from barking them against it!

them things were radiused for a reason . . . .

 

[wmk0002]

Thanks everyone! I have quite a few Railblaza products, including a few rails. My hope is to run an aluminum L along the gunnel and attach the Railblaza channel to the L. I hope to get to this mid this week. I am worried about getting the angle right, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Would love to see an update on this whenever you get around to tackling it.

 

[BoneDigger]

I added the Railblaza tracks to both sides of the boat. I did use stainless tapping screws and I'm aware the stainless will eventually interact with the aluminum. I may add some aluminum rivets eventually, but for now it's quite tight and works well.