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Inflatable Boat Rail Support Base (100 x 120 mm, fits Ø22 mm Rail Tube)
This rail support base is specifically designed to enable adding a rigid rail structure or extra handles to the inflatable sides of your boat. By gluing this block onto the tube, you get a solid socket through which a Ø22 mm tube can be passed – that’s the standard diameter for many grab rails, handles, and canopy frames.
Material & Design: The block is made from a combination of rubber and PVC: the rubber gives it flexibility and helps it conform to the curve of the boat, while the PVC component provides strength and environmental resistance. The base measures 10 x 12 cm, flat and broad enough to handle the forces of a rail being pushed or pulled. With a height of 6 cm, the block raises the rail tube sufficiently above the tube’s surface to prevent chafing or rubbing, yet not so high as to be unstable.
Versatility: The opening is a through-hole for a 22 mm tube – the tube can go straight through the block. This means it can accommodate both vertical and horizontal structural elements. For instance, you could glue two of these blocks at the bow and run a straight rail through them to create a bow safety rail on a RIB (common on RIBs where people hold onto the bow rail). You could also mount them along the sides as bases for side railings or grab bars for passengers.
Installation:
- Plan: Determine where on the tubes you want a rail or handles. It’s advisable to glue the blocks on a smooth section of the tube (away from seams or handles) and to do it symmetrically on port and starboard for balance.
- Clean: Prepare the surface – it must be clean, dry, and free of grease. Do the same for the underside of the block.
- Glue: The block is glued on much like a large PVC patch – apply a two-part PVC adhesive to both the boat surface and the base of the block, wait until tacky, then press firmly. Because the block is thick, it helps to gently warm it (if working in cold conditions) to make it more pliable when pressing on.
- Cure: Let it cure for 24 hours. Since the block is thick, ensure the edges are well attached – you might place a weight on it during curing to keep it flat and fully bonded.
After curing, you have a strong mounting base. Pass your rail tube through the hole. Usually the tube is further secured with a screw or bolt through the block – the block may have a pre-molded small pilot hole where you can insert a screw to tighten against the tube (if not, you can carefully drill a hole through the rubber and tube once in place and use a stainless bolt to lock it).
Practical Benefits:
- Safety & Comfort: Allows you to install sturdy grab rails, which are invaluable at high speeds or with many people on board. Passengers will have something solid to hold onto, reducing the risk of falls.
- Accessories: You can use the blocks as bases for other structures – e.g., a removable dodger or canopy frame (as an alternative to standard mounts), external fishing rod holders (by running a tube and attaching rod mounts), or even a small folding boarding ladder that hooks onto such a rail.
- For Any Boat Size: Thanks to their strength, these bases are used on small inflatables (where you might just want one extra handle) up to large RIBs that need a full bow rail. They provide the means to retrofit professional-grade railing solutions onto an inflatable craft.
