Cleaning, reseating the rub rail

[chimerakc]

So does anyone think that sections of the rub rail that are loose could let in water?  Wouldnt the seal between the hull and deck have to leak too?

Anyway, the inspection when I bought the 23 said the rub rail should be reseated or replaced. Not spending $ on replacing.  It appears easy to take it off, clean it and where it sits.  Should it be re-attached with any type of sealant or adhesive?  This is an 86 and guessing its never been done.   Thanks

[wes]

The rub rail has no function in keeping water out of the boat; that's the job of the hull to deck joint which is sealed with 3M 5200 and bolted together. The rub rail is cosmetic, and it protects the hull to deck joint from bumps against the dock. If it's saggy, you may want to tighten and retrim it. Wait for a hot day so it's easier to stretch. A tedious job, but not technically difficult.

Typically the factory did not use adhesive on the rub rail; its held on by tension only.

Wes

[Shawn]

If you remove the rub rail you should reseal the hull to deck joint while you are in there. Under the rub rail you will likely find old duct tape over the hull/deck joint. Under that will be lots of bolts (around 12" apart) to take out and then cleaning out the old sealant. Scrapers and drill bits (turning slowly to pull the sealant out) work pretty well. Then you reseal it. Factory would have used something like 3M 5200. The interior trim fastens into the adhesive so you probably want something that does harden otherwise I'd suggest butyl tape instead. After you put the 5200 in the seam and bolt it back together you can cover the joint with duct tape to allow you to put the rub rail back on before the adhesive fully hardens. That is what the factory did.

The rub rail will likely shrink a little when you take it off so it will fight you to get it back in place and to get the screw into the end of it.


BTW, DO NOT DO THIS ON THE WATER!! You will be amazed how much the hull will flex when it doesn't have the deck to strengthen it. If you do this in the water the water pressure will make it extremely hard to get back together or might even damage the hull.


Shawn

[HeaveToo]

A lot of the older boats leak at the hull to deck joint.  Mine does a little bit if I bury the toe rail.  The advice of cleaning it out and resealing it is a good one.