Collision band fixing/replacing

[Emeraldsnake]

Bayliner 2052ls Capri 3L GM.

Well, the South of England is mostly under water due to the barrage of non stop Atlantic storms. Why oh why did I keep my boat in the sea for the winter! Anyway, after a force 12 the other night, my boat was battered by being lifted clear of the pontoon and dropped back in again by the winds and swell. The fenders were just being lifted clear and plopping onto the pontoon whilst the boat repeatedly hit the pontoon. Luckily the only damage is that the collision strip around the outside of the boat has come out. Not the alloy rail, but the plastic strip that is pushed in between. I have tried to push it in with the help of a flat head screw driver, and some gentle mallot persuasion, but the plastic won't go back into place. Not only does it look very untidy, but it means it's not there for the next flipping storm. Anyone got any idea on the best way to push the plastic back in? Thanks guys. I have photos if you don't know what I'm on about.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

heat gun to warm it up some?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

When cold it can be very difficult to put back. Warm it a section at a time with a hair dryer and then use the large flat blade screwdriver or a small putty knife to bend it back into the aluminium track. Put one side flange, either upper or lower, depending upon which is more comfortable to work on, in first, then work the other side back in with the tool.

Do check the aluminum first to see if it has bent in a bit before you try to reseat the plastic.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

^^^^ +1 ^^^^^ Maybe a bit of soapy water might help .. But the heat gun should make it just soft enough to bend back in the groove.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

Dish soap will help lube it too.

 

[Emeraldsnake]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

Thanks for the suggestions guys. It will have to stay hanging off for a while though, as im keeping her in the water until the end of the year, and there is no electricity available at the pontoon. So hair dryers and heat guns, unless battery operated, are a no no. I may try boiling some water whilst on board, and pouring that over the rail before the screwdriver manipulation.

 

[Emeraldsnake]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

Yeah...not sure about a propane torch against my nice white boat....:laugh: It does look tatty though. It will be a dry land job I think. Will have to wait until October. :facepalm:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

replace with old fire hose

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

since you do not have power

chemical type hand warmers may work to warm just a bit of an area to then make pliable. or if you have a small propane catalytic heater, that will work to warm a section at a time

or you can buy a butane and battery powered hair dryer such as the Oobi Do. then give it to the mrs afterwards

spray type soap such as 409 works well as a lubricant to get the rub rail back in.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

Rub Rail install http://www.iboats.com/rub_rails/rigid.html

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Collision band fixing/replacing

well since the plastic strip doesn't protect the boat but is just there for looks and gentle nudges, why not just wait until spring? Then you won't have to do it twice.

I am a firm believer in working rubrails on boats, but then again, I require a lot out of my boats as working equipment.