EPDM Rubber Rubbing Strake – 2 x 34.1 x 13.5 mm, Black (Protective Boat Rub Rail)

The EPDM rubber rubbing strake is a high-performance protective profile for boats – particularly well-suited for inflatable RIBs and yachts. With its P-shaped cross-section (2 x 34.1 x 13.5 mm), this rub rail is installed along the boat’s edges (inflatable tube seams, gunwales, or keel line) to absorb abrasions and impacts that occur during routine use.

Material features: EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber renowned for its outstanding resistance to environmental factors. This strake, made from EPDM, withstands UV radiation, ozone, and saltwater exposure – all critical qualities for marine applications. The rubber strip remains flexible and tough even under extreme temperatures (from freezing -40°C to scorching +120°C) without becoming brittle or cracking. This ensures an exceptionally long service life, even if your boat is constantly outdoors in sun or in seawater.

Protective function: When docking against a pier or another vessel, the first contact is often the edge of your boat’s tube or hull. This rub strake takes that contact – its protruding “P” profile cushions the impact and spreads the force across a wider area of tough rubber. In doing so, your boat’s paint, PVC fabric, or gelcoat remain unharmed. Over time, this protective strip prevents wear and tear on vulnerable areas – such as where inflatable tubes rub against metal trailer parts, where beaching scuffs the keel, or where lines and fenders might chafe the sides.

Size and installation: The 34.1 mm width of the profile provides ample coverage – for example, one strip can fully cover the seam between a RIB’s hull and tube or guard the entire waterline of a motorboat. The 2 mm thickness of the base makes it flexible enough to bend along the boat’s contours while robust enough to take a beating. Installation typically involves adhesive bonding with a suitable marine-grade glue (chosen based on the substrate: PVC, Hypalon, or fiberglass). The strip comes in a roll (commonly 24 meters), allowing you to cut custom lengths for the bow, sides, and keel. When cutting and fitting around corners, the EPDM material can be easily trimmed with a knife or shears without fraying or deforming.

Advantages of using an EPDM rubbing strake:

• Professional appearance: The black color gives a sleek, OEM look that complements any boat design. The profile looks like an integral part of the vessel, enhancing both aesthetics and value.
• Long-term investment: By outfitting your boat with this strake, you’re essentially giving it a “bumper” to ward off scratches and dings. This keeps your surfaces intact, eliminates frequent touch-up repairs or patching of inflatable tubes, and prolongs the structural integrity of your craft.
• Universal application: Suitable for inflatable boats, RIBs, motorboats, and sailboats – anywhere you need to protect edges, seams, or high-wear zones. For example: around the bow of a RIB (to prevent abrasion during beach landings), along the hull where it rests on a trailer, on the outer gunwale to soften blows from waves or docks, and so on.
• Low maintenance: EPDM rubber needs no special care – it won’t rust and isn’t affected by common cleaning chemicals. Simply rinse it along with the rest of the boat. If over many years a section gets damaged or worn, you can easily replace only that section without removing the entire strip.

By installing this EPDM rubber rub rail, you’re giving your boat a first-class defense against impact and abrasion. Whether you frequently dock in crowded marinas or run your boat up on sandy shores, the protective strip will bear the brunt instead of your boat. The result is a hull and tubes that stay in better condition longer, fewer repair bills, and peace of mind every time you come alongside a dock.