Rub rail installation

[JD]

Anyone ever installed new rub rail? Hutchens says it must be hot and stretched..... Comments...

[deisher6]

JD:
I did not install a new one, but I removed 8 inches from the one on our boat.  The rub rail had partially come off of the port side just aft of midships of our boat, sagging, hanging down several inches.  It looked pretty bad. 

Just to be safe,  I clamped the stern rub rail at the port side corner, then removed the fasteners and the corner metal cap.  Leaving the rail attached at the bow and with the help of a neighbor we pulled it off and laid it on the deck.  We then stretched it, cut off the excess, and re-attached it at the corner.  Clamped it at the corner to be sure, then put the rest of the rub rail in place. Then replaced the corner cap.  It was a pretty warm day, and it was pretty easy to accomplish.  It took about 10-15 minutes to do the job.  It took much much longer to figure out how  and what I was going to do and how to accomplish it. 

Again, Not a complete installation just a repair.  If I were installing a new one I would have a heat gun around just in case.

Hope that this helps.

regards charlie

[wes]

Charlie - how much did you stretch it? Just snug, or did you pull as hard as possible? I will need to do this pretty soon when I replace mine.

Wes

[deisher6]

Hey Wes:When you pull the rub rail off  the flange and lay the rub rail up on the deck it is slack.  We really did not have to pull that hard to get the 8 inches past the stern.  I was pulling, and I would say 'snug'.  My helper secured the rub rail with a clamp before we bolted it and cut it.  It really was much easier than I thought it would be.  It was a warm morning though.  Good luck.

regards charlie

[JD]

Charlie,
Thanks for the valuable info....how much $$$'and where did you get the rub rail?

Regards
JD

[deisher6]

Hey JD:
I did not replace it I just stretched the old one and cut the end off.  That gave the rub rail enough tension so that it would stay in place.  I left it attached at the bow pulled it off the hull-deck joint, laid it on the deck, tugged on it, refastened the end on the stern, cut it off, put metal corner back on, then put the rub rail back on the hull-deck. 

It was free except for the beer that I shared with the neighbor when we were done.

regards charlie

[JD]

Oh, I see..... I need to replace the aft section and perhaps the port side.I will probably do it in the early spring.
Thanks.
JD

[JD]

Oh.... Ok I just purchased a complete kit for my remodel to include the retainers. Cleaned off the tape and was checking the screws
Not much sealant on those screws for the hull. Thinking about unscrewing them and sealing them again before screwing back in.
The tips of the screws protrude in places aprox. 1/16 inch .... Why wouldn't they use a screws with nuts ?
Gonna seal the edge of the joinery with sealant also. Fun fun