Custom Teak Door & Sapele Mahogany Boat Rub Rails as preparation for the Great Loop on a Trawler
When preparing for the Great Loop, it’s important to make sure your vessel is in tip top shape. This couple had a rotten set of rub rails on the boat in need of replacement, and desired a door for the head. It’s all about comfort aboard while cruising for long distances, and the added privacy was sorely needed in order to entertain guests and family alike.

Starting out, we hit the local lumber yard for some fine Sapele Mahogany. The Teak vents were sourced, not built in order to meet the client’s tight schedule.
Next, we cut a piece of marine plywood to size (not pictured) and used a Dado blade to make slits at precisely 11/16″ down the middle of the Teak door casing. The door was then assembled and painted to match the rest of the interior.

After sizing the door, we cut inserts for the teak vents which we stained a matching mahogany color. The door was installed and looks like it has been there all along.

We cut the new Mahogany Rub Rails in the shop, scratching our head a few times over all the angles. We then spent an afternoon prepping the Trawler surface for fitting. This involved sanding the old glue and grime, and filling the previous screw holes which were hidden under the rub rails. The hull was taped off and new rub rails bedded in with West System products.

Prior to installing the Sapele Mahogany Rub Rail we applied West System Epoxy Encapsulation to the wood as a base coat and multiple coats of Epifanes varnish as a top coat for years of maintenance-free enjoyment. We wish them the best on their journey of their newly updated Thunderbolt as they travel The Great Loop!
Need custom woodwork on your boat or yacht? Contact Teak Mafia for a no obligation zero cost consultation today!
Reach us by email: sales@tkmfa.com
Call us via phone: 770-896-7517
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