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THE
SMART-RAIL
®

FAST-RAILS®

SMART Marine
Products Corp.

RAIL PLACEMENT GUIDE

  1. Use the hull shape diagrams in the table below to find the recommended location for THE SMART-RAIL® on your boat to minimize unwanted spray.
  2. See the information below the table for more information on THE SMART-RAIL® placement for spray control.
  3. See FAST-RAILS® placement information below table.
  4. See Installation Instructions for detailed information on how to install THE SMART-RAIL® AND FAST-RAILS®.
HULL SHAPE
(NEAR BOW)
IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREA RAIL PLACEMENT
A. If water is coming off chine edge:
Install M-2000 on chine
B. If water is coming up the face of the hull, and past the rubrail:
Install the M1000 just under the rub-rail
A. If water is coming off the chine:
Install the M-2000 on the chine
B. If water is coming off the ridge below the rubrail
Install the M-1000 just below the ridge
A. If water is coming up the face of the hull, determine how deep the bow penetrates the wave system in wet sea conditions
Install the M-1000 just above this point.
B. None
 
A. Water may be coming off any one of the lapstrakes. Determine how deep the bow penetrates the wave system in wet sea conditions.
Install the M-1000 just above this point.
B. Same as for "A" above
 
A. If water is coming up the face of the hull, determine how deep the bow penetrates the wave system in wet sea conditions.
Install M-1000 just above this point
B. None
 
A. If water is coming off the chine
Install the M-2000 on the chine.
B. If water is coming off the ridge below the rubrail
Install the M-1000 just below the ridge.
A. If water is coming off the lower lifting strakes and/or coming off the chine edge:
The best all round solution is to install the M-2000 on the chine
B. If water is coming off the ridge under the rubrail
Install the M-1000 just under the ridge.
Rail Placement Guide for Spray Control

To gain the maximum effectiveness of THE SMART-RAIL®, it is important to determine the type of hull and the speed at which you want to get the maximum effectiveness. Some customers use both models, M-1000 and M-2000, at different levels for low and high speed spray control.

  1. Planing Hulls at Planing Speeds - With hard CHINE (where side and bottom of hull meet). Place M-2000 Rail on the CHINE, starting 1" to 2" from the STEM (where the two sides of the bow meet).
  2. Planing Hulls at Speeds Below Planing - In a heavy sea, the wave may strike the bow above the CHINE. Place M-1000 Rail just below the rub rail.
  3. Displacement Hulls at Cruising Speed - On sharp entry bows, the M-1000 is placed at a point just above the bow wave. On blunt entry bows, the M-100 is placed substantially above the bow wave.

NOTE: The principle here is to place the rail in an area of the bow where the wave thickness is not more than the width of the rail. Determine the source area from which the spray originates at trolling speed through to top speed in the following sea conditions:

  • Trolling speed in head and quartering rough seas?
  • At medium speed in head and quartering rough seas?
  • At high speed in head and quartering rough seas?

It is helpful to view or photograph the boat in all sea and heading conditions.

Looking over the bow can also help in determining the appropriate position of the rails. Follow all common sense and safety precautions, i.e., safety harness, padding and communication with a competent captain at the helm. Hand signals can be helpful in raising or lowering the boat's speed. CAUTION: When the boat's bow impacts a big wave at speed, there will be a substantial jarring force, so start your test at low speed to determine your ability.

NOTE: Many boats have a "disappearing" chine for 2 or 3 feet from the stem. THE SMART-RAIL® is flexible (you may use a hair dryer) so the rail can be adjusted to the changing angle of the chine. For best spray control, the length should be equal to at least 1/3 the length of the water line.

Following this study will allow you to make the appropriate choice of rail location. HAPPY BOATING!

FAST-RAILS® Placement

FAST-RAILS® should be installed one third (1/3) the length of the boat starting at the stern running forwards.

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 Site updated on: 08/09/12