Rub rail repair

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

Loading my boat onto my trailer a couple of weeks ago, the rub rail got caught on one of the trailer guides and it pulled off about a 1 foot section. Has anyone repaired/replaced their rub rail before? It did pull out a couple of screws also. Can I just cut out the bad section and put in a new small section?

Thx in advance

wesgardner · Posted: May 13, 2004 4:39 am Post subject:

Hey Wake Pimp,

Most probably...pictures, boat type etc. will help...allota rubber rub rails fit in a groove that covers the hull-to-deck joint

Wes

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

It's a 99 Sportster. I can post a picture of my handy-work after I get home tonight.

wesgardner · Posted: May 13, 2004 5:45 am Post subject:

HeyWake Pimp,
Sorry for not checking your profile...it's all right there isn't it...anyway the dealer or 'bu should be able to provide you with sections of alu. and/or rubber...I always used to cut the rubber a bit long as it shrinks some....on sailboats when folks would tear off rubber rail, cap rail, toe rail, stanchions, and some hull to boot, we'd splice in new sections with scarf joint facing aft so when you rub along a piling it doesn't hang and tear it all off....

WEs

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

Thx Wes

cstmgsxr · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 470

i just did something similar, but i cut a big rip in my rail...

i walked around my boat to see if it was in sections and i have a one piece rail that is connected at the sterm, i contacted my local marina, $400.00 for a new rail installed!!!!

Doug · Posted: May 13, 2004 8:25 am Post subject:

Hey wakepimp, it's that time of year again!!! I had the rub rail replaced on my boat last fall. Call Skiers Pier, they'l hook you up!

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

Hey Doug! You riding yet? I've only been out once Crying or Very sad

due to a pretty hectic spring.

Levi · Criminal Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 65 City: Boise, ID

I'm not sure exactly how the damage is..but can you just push the rail back into place and drill some new mounting holes in between the old ones? That should work depending on how bad it was damaged.......

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

Here's my handy work

Levi · Criminal Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 65 City: Boise, ID

I'm not expert by any means....but I'd say you could just drill new holes in between and rescrew it on. Or if you could screw back into the same holes that'd even be better. If the rub rail has rips in it from the screws pulling out you could find some small washers that would probably hold it in place still. There is also probably some product that you could fill the holes with and then redrill into the filler. Either way you'd want to at least silicone them closed.

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Those almost look like pop rivets instead of screws. Could that be?

Levi · Criminal Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 65 City: Boise, ID

I think you're right..I didn't look that close.....that'd could be even easier to fix. Just drill out the old ones and pop new ones in. If the holes are a bit bigger the rivets would expand to fill the hole. If the holes are a lot bigger you may have to drill a new hole or fill it and drill.

Bruky · Guest

whoa dude, did you take that picture upside down or something? it looks all confuzled and stuff.

wesgardner · Posted: May 17, 2004 7:41 am Post subject:

Hey Wake Pimp,
LikeDiyGuy, says, I think they're pop rivets, do a careful inside inspection before drilling new holes (like don't drill thru the wiring harness running forward that serves your forward running lights or whatever) Ok I admit it, I've done that before....only took out an anchore windless, running lights and the forward cabin lighting, Ha!

If you need any further how-not-to-do-it-yourself advice, lemme know...

Wes

DiyGuy · Soul Rider Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 460

Use same holes - just oversize pop rivets, or put a thin spacer between the inside fiblerglass where in crimps down - assumes your holes on the rub rail aren't ripped out.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

DiyGuy, Actually in most cases the same size pop rivits will work in the old hole. Inspect to see if hole was enlarged if not then the same size will suffice.

Just drill the centers of the pop rivits with a drill bit that is the same size as the hole. This will remove them from the rub rail.

Bruky · Guest

did you cry when you did that to your boat?

Wake Pimp · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Feb 2003 Posts: 341

didn't cry, but got sick to my stomach