Jack,

We definitely installed the spray rails on my Peeler Skiff after applying the exterior glass and before flipping the boat rightside up again.  We also did all the exterior painting (except for masking the surface where we would be gluing the outwales) while the bottom was still up.

You're right, flipping the boat was the most difficult part of the build---but with a few of our family and friends, 350 lbs is not that much to turn over.  If you want to send me your email address through the Builders Club, I'd be happy to send construction photos.

Cheers,

Dick

http://www.clcboats.com/scripts/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/images/photos/boats/peeler/2014/peeler-abouttime--dick-dowdell.jpg&w=580

 Good information Dick.

I built my Peeler build exactly how you described it.  No need for additional flips.

I might add that while fabricating the spray rails I found an error on page 95 of the builders manual.  The measurement in the book for the length of the rails is stated as "about 84 inches".  This length would put the screws in the forward section of the rails through the hull and not inside of the side floatation compartments.  My rails ended up being about 70 inches long and I have had no problems with spray climbing the sides of the boat.

Thanks for the input.  I'll do mine the way you guys have suggested.  Does anyone else have some input as to the spray rail length?  The full length rails will mount with the forward-most screw falling in front of the flotation tanks.  This seems to be a job for some thickened epoxy, unless there is some other reason not to go with the recommended length.

Thanks again,

Jack

My Peeler is upside down yet waiting for bottom paint. If I remember right, the 84" splash rail end screw came through the hull interior beyond the flotation tank but under the thwart front. I didn't catch it untill after the fact. I wish I would have read this post before hand.   

For the record, the forward screw of my spray rails poked through as well.  After the epoxy set, we just backed out the screw and filled the hole on both sides with epoxy and wood flour.

Cheers!