rub rail rope

I used a 1/4 inch socket screwdriver to push mine in...a bit at a time. The flat square end didn't mar the rope.
As far as braided, does braided rope not catch and fray more than the twist? If you rub the rope with something coarse it will catch easier on the braid...?

I wound up going with the three strand and had about 5 feet left over from a 50' dock line. I'm guessing with the braid its easier to squish more into it than with the stranded.
I'm glad i went with black it looks great.

I wanted to share how i installed it because after reading all of the other posts about putting it in, inch by inch, like a gentleman. i decided i would go for the whole things at once and it worked out. IF you can picture this, since i did not take pictures while doing it.
good wheel chocks, a squirt bottle of soapy water and a tractor.
i was able to get the first foot or so started in the bow with a tag line hitched onto the end of it. soaked the whole rail on one side and the rope with soapy water. I pulled it with the tractor very slowly and was able to just push the leading edge of the 5/8 line with a block of woodwhuile the tractor was pulling it and pulled the whole rope right down to the stern and viola! one fell swoop got the whole side in, then just turn the tractor around and repeated with the other side.

I probably pushed some of it back into the rail space to make it seem fuller. I'm sure if I grabbed one end and pulled it through so it was tight from end to end I would have some extra, but then it wouldn't even be flush with the outer edges of the rail.

Your not going to find the larger size rail its been out of production for quite a while, and the smaller rails used on earlier SN's doesn't come close to covering the part of the hull where deck and hull come together on a BFN. I used some of the MEK (I think - I can look at the can tonight) that I got at Home Depot to clean my rail, put it on a rag and pulled the rail thru the rag. some people use aecetone, but the odorless MEK is stronger than acetone Just got to keep the rag moving becasue it will melt the surface of the rail if you leave it on there to long. Aecetone will melt the surface to, just seems to take a little longer. I got most of my scratches and scuffs out, and at least rounded off the edges of the larger gouges so they weren't as noticable just using this stuff, and some 320 grit sandpaper on the worst offenders.

Check Mcmaster Carr for your rope, they sell all kinds, nylon, poly, hemp, etc. in just about any diamter and color you would need.

I am copying the one that came out which is 5/8 and i do have the plastic piece. was going to get all new rail but i'm going to see if i can doctor this one up once it is on. I think i can bring the shine back.

I am going to be getting black instead of white.
I think i'm gonna keep the older look with the three strand, new england ropes carrys 3 strand nylon 5/8 X 50' in black.
i measured mine when it came off i got about 48' and that was giving extra. i wonder why 50 was just enough for you 2' is a lot

I have black too and love it, no fade or dirty spots!

5/8 braid in mine. Nylon utility, black. I like it. No close up pics though, sorry. I just got it off the bulk spool at Lowes. Short money, works great.