Rub Strakes

What Are Rub Strakes?

Rub strakes — also known as rubbing strakes or rub rails — are protective strips mounted to the exterior hull of a boat, typically near the gunwale or cap rail. These essential pieces of marine hardware serve as a first line of defense between your vessel and the wear of everyday docking, mooring, and anchoring. Whether you're tying off at a busy marina slip or setting the hook in a quiet anchorage, every line that runs over a bare edge is a line slowly grinding away at your boat's finish and structure.

Why Rub Strakes Matter

The wear problem is more serious than it looks. Rub strakes are specifically designed to prevent chafing on docks, fenders, and anchor lines, protecting your vessel from abrasion damage that can compromise both cosmetic appearance and structural integrity. Over time, mooring lines sawing against an unprotected gunwale or cap rail can cut into gelcoat, stress fasteners, and even work into the underlying fiberglass laminate — repairs that are far more costly than a simple strake installation.

Beyond line protection, rub strakes also cushion the hull itself when bumping against pilings, dock edges, or neighboring vessels. They act as a sacrificial barrier, absorbing low-speed impact energy so your hull doesn't have to.

Materials and Sizing: What to Look For

Marine rub strakes are commonly manufactured from stainless steel, aluminum, rubber, or flexible PVC — each with its own strengths. Stainless steel strakes (particularly 304 and 316 grades) offer the best combination of corrosion resistance, polished aesthetics, and hard-wearing durability in saltwater environments. Rubber and PVC profiles are popular on rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and smaller craft, where flexibility and cushioning take priority over a polished look.

When choosing a rub strake, consider the following:

• Material: Stainless steel for maximum durability in salt water; rubber or PVC for RIBs and inflatables
• Width and Length: Match strake dimensions to your line diameter and the span of exposed rail you need to protect
• Mounting Method: Most strakes fasten with marine-grade screws; ensure backing plates are used on cored hulls
• Profile Shape: Flat-back strakes suit hard-chine hulls; curved profiles follow more complex hull forms

Taco Metals: The Trusted Name in Rub Strakes

When it comes to rub strakes, Taco Metals is the go-to brand for serious boaters. Taco Metals' stainless steel rub strakes are manufactured from premium marine-grade stainless steel and are engineered to prevent chafing of dock, fender, and anchor lines — making them particularly well-suited for yachts and larger vessels running heavy mooring lines. Available in multiple widths (3/4" and 1") and lengths ranging from 8" to 24", Taco's lineup offers the sizing flexibility to protect cap rails, gunwales, and topsides on virtually any boat. As part of Taco Metals' broader rub rail system, these strakes integrate seamlessly with their other marine hardware, making them a practical and proven choice for new installations and replacements alike.