Removing Wooden Rubbing Strake.

KitKat · June 9

Has anyone any advice on removing multiple rusty nails holding on the rubbing strake on a 50 year old fibreglass boat. We would like to repair or replace the rubbing strake but can’t make any progress as the nails are rusted in place and proving impossible to shift. As the boat is 30 ft long there are hundreds of these nails.

The boat is out of the water at the moment so access not a problem. Any ideas will be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

dom · June 9

Is it nailed from the inside of the hull out into the strake? Or from the outside in, with roves?

KitKat · June 9

We’re on our way down to look at it again. Will try to take a picture. I believe it is screwed from the outside.
Thanks Dom

JanetAnne · June 9

Split the strake along the grain next to the fixings with a chisel and it'll come away leaving the screws and nails behind. You can then grab the heads with molegrips or similar and twist them out.

Just keep telling yourself it needed replacing anyway....