In search of the holly grail: Green Rubrail

[Radioshop]

I have be in search of the green rubrail which is like finding the holly grail.  Sure you can find the hard plastic stuff, which isn't even the right color, but there's just no matching the kelly green OE Aquasport spec stuff.  The closest I've come is a manufacturer who could most likely make whatever I want, but I think their sales rep is W.C. Fields, because all I get is "go away kid, you bother me".  So here's my proposal to all of you, is there any interest in buying the holly grail?  I got my profit sharing check from Uncle Sam and, I thinking on making an investment in green rubrail.  I'm guessing the minimum order is probably like 500' of the stuff to get them interested, but I'm going to check.  A 22.2 probably eats somewhere in the neighborhood of 50' of rubrail.  Are there 10 owners interested out there?

[Seadog]

I might be interested in that rail.

Tentatively - put me on the list.

Thanks!

[Captain]

Wilson and I spoke with Kathleen Foley, Sales Manager for Marine Products at Barbour Plastics, Inc. at the Miami boat show on Sunday. They make the rubrail for Aquasport. They also made the green rail back in the day. Kathleen confirmed that 500' is the minimum order. We looked at a couple of their color cards, and it looks like item color #8509 "Shamrock" or color #9301 "Bright Teal" may be close to the original green.

The price she quoted us comes out to about $3 per foot based on 500' or $1.83 per foot based on a purchase of 1,000'. Kathleen's email is [email:25jgc6mb]kfoley@barbourplastics.com[/email:25jgc6mb].

[Seadog]

Hey thanks for checkin that out Captain!  
We are gonna need more guys on the list to get 500 foot.
Like Radioshop said, 10 buyers at the least.

[steved]

Don't know how I will get it back to Italy (probably have it shipped to my mom's place in NYC and pick it up from there) but count me in for enough for a 22,2.

I will also ask a couple of the other Aquasport owners here - they might be interested too.

[Seadog]

Steved - just noticed your in Rome.
I am seriously impressed!
We have a member who hails from Italy!
Is Rome on the water?

[Anonymous]

Although I'm originally from New York City, I've been in Rome for going on 23 years now. It's a great place to live.  Rome is not on the water - it's about 30 minutes to Ostia or Fiumicino, which are the nearest ports. I keep my 1982 22.2 about 2 hours north of Rome - the area is called Monte Argentario. Beautiful water for just about whatever - fishing, diving, swimming, sailing, etc. If you do a search on google for images of either "monte argentario" "porto santo stefano" "porto ercole" "giglio" or "giannutri" you will get a feel for what it's like.

I'll try to post some photos in the gallery.

[Seadog]

Spent some time in Gaeta, Naples and Venice about 25 years ago. I really liked Italy and I really liked the people. We used to say if you want to shut an Italian up...just tie his hands behind his back, 'cause without those hands he can't speak.

Checked out the google search you mentioned - thats a beautiful place!

My wife's part Italian, her mother is from Catania(sp) Sicily. I'm tryin to get my mother in law to teach my kids as much of the language as possible while they are young

Walked around the top of Mt. Vesuvius, and checked out the Island of Capri way back then - fond memories.

Post some pix when you can.

Ciao!

[Captain]

Italy is my favorite part of Europe. I like Florence in particular and spent about 6 months there in 1993. I think Gilligan is headed over for 3 weeks in May. Maybe he can get together with steved and have a ClassicAquasport.com "board meeting?"

[Radioshop]

Wow, it's only $300 more to get twice the rubrail.  Talk about wierd economics?

[Seadog]

Steved - how did a guy in Rome Italy come across an Aquasport 222???  See many of those in your parts?

Hey Gilligan - I like your 'occupation' LOL!

[steved]

The Italians are big fans of the better-built American opens and walkarounds, especially the older ones which really compared favorably to the Italian models in terms of the solidity of construction. There are quite a few Aquasports around (in the canal where I keep mine, there must be 6 or 7), as well as Grady Whites, etc. And some guy just bought a new Edge Water - nice looking boat.  I'll be going up to the boat on Sunday and if I remember, I'll bring along the digital camera and snap some photos.

Hey Gilligan, if you are coming through Rome, definitely let me know. We can get together and maybe even get out on the boat if time permits.

[Gilligan]

Hey steved, thanks for the offer.  My wife and I are trying to find the port cities you mentioned on our trusty map of Italy.  We are flying out of Rome and will probably spend a few days there.  I'd love to catch up with you if you have the time.  We'll be coming from Elba with a few days stop in a town called Rieti.  Have you heard of it?  Do you know if that trip would take us at all close to Monte Argentario?  I can't seem to find anything on our map.

Sorry to everyone else that this is getting off topic.  I'll post this to a topic under Chum (Hanging Out In Italy) as well to continue the discussion if anyone else is interested.

[Capt. Bob]

Shameless bump.

Seems the green rail was an item almost 6 years ago. :o  
Couldn't seem to come to consensus back then either.

[gran398]

CB,

Thanks for the reintroduction. Those before us did their best in search of the  "holy grail."

New members and others interested, see 2010 topic here on Discussion, "Green Rubrail, revisited."

With all of the early to mid-seventies rebuilds this spring, should be good demand for the correct 1973 Aquasport rubrail. (Attractive emerald green, color change in '74-'75 to olive green).

Several members have pledged their support to a new batch run of the '73 emerald green rubrail, white insert. Need a run of 500 feet from the manufacturer in order to obtain a "run" price break. But guess that's old news...need around 100 more linear feet (2 boats worth or so) pledged to the run. Thanks.