Shapining a timber rubbing strake

Hi there
Newbie here.
Apologies if this question has been asked before.
I am replacing the rubbing strake on a timber boat. About 26ft long.
I'd like the strake to have a "D" shape, fashioned from a square section of wood about 30ft long by 4inches square.
How do i shape the rubbing strake, obvisouly its better to shape it prior to it being steam bent and screwed on.
Thanks
Chris

 

You won't be bending a 4 inch square section round a 26 foot boat.The simplest solution is to use a number of layers glued together and with any luck,when there is too much scuffing,you can just change the outer section.The easiest way to proceed is to draw out the section you like the look of and to split it into sections equal to the thickness of the wood you can get hold of.Simple bevels can be cut with a circular saw and the more elaborate curved pieces can be shaped on a spindle moulder or after fitting to the boat with a plane.

 

You can make some pencil guide marks and shape it with a plane. First plane 45 degree edges, cut those in half and fair the curve. 4 inch square looks like the rubbing strake on a harbor tug.

 

26ft boat even a 2x1 is closer to the norm. If its for really rough service use, and you really need 4in, then laminate it on the boat in thinner layers.