how to get a boat rub rail off?

[Doug12992]

Im trying to get off my rub rail to lift the top haft of my boat to do some transome repair..I have no clue how to go about getting this rail off other then ripping all the rubber out with a flat blade srew driver and a hammer, but i don't know how to get the aluminum part off? Anyone sudjections?

 

[dbkerley]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

Generically speaking, you remove the plastic portion as you described and then unscrew the other. Most boat hulls are also bonded together and the screws merely support the adhesive. Contact your manufacturer to get specific information regarding the actual construction of the hull joint. Their are probably eight different ways to do it and often the wiring looms have to be disconnected prior to separation.

Don't just dig in and learn as you go. Get the learning part over with first.

 

[Doug12992]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

I would contact them but the manufacturer has long been gone...This boat im working on is a silverline tri hull. yes i disconnected everything and the boat is gutted out just the motor and the old floors are left in it.

 

[shrew]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

A pic would be helpful since there are a large variety of rub rails on the market.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

Doug, Warm the plastic/rubber rub rail with a hairdryer and gently pry it out. Now remove the screws or rivets in the metal part of the rubrail.

A lot of boats are just caulked together. See what you have holding it. If you have gutted the lower hull, it can collapse, when you remove the upper part of the hull. You might like to rebuild most of the floor, before removing the transom for repair.

 

[woosterken]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

you just have to take the rubber out of the rail , there you will find 14 thousand screws or rivits that hold it on.
you will have to drill them out as they probably will NOT just screw out.
it would be a good idea to put some cross braces in the hull to keep its shape , or you may not get the top back on !!
check with these people , they may have the NEW rubber , or they can make it for you

http://wefcorubber.com/

then you have to figure out if it is a shoe box joint (the top slips over the bottom and then the screws or rivits hold it together)
or it may be glassed together on the inside then you would have to use some thing a hack saw blade to cut it apart.

hope this helps

woosterken

 

[Doug12992]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

sorry for some of the crappy pic's, my phone is the only camera i have.

 

[Doug12992]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

This is my first time ive ever worked on a boat other then the engine.. I didn't know there was that much work involved in just preparing to ge the cap off. I really want to revive my boat to its full potential. I guess i'll have alot of questions to come in the weeks ahead on working on this project.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

Go to the boat restoration threads and see how they removed their caps. I assume you have a plan other than trying to just lift it off? Something to support it? Somewhere to set it? Friends who work for beer?

 

[Doug12992]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

yes i just got done installing the pulley system to help lift it off and hang it above the boat on the rafters for the time being untill the boat is restored.. It's just going to be my father and me hopefully he'll stick around until its finished

 

[Fisherball]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

Go to the restorarion forum & read, read, read. Use search to find specifics. I'm just starting redoing mine & have learned a huge amount about what to do & more importantly, what NOT to do.

 

[Doug12992]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

Ive started to read on some of these restoring forums on what to do..middle of the week im heading down to the local boat store to get some information and know how..this weekend i hope i can start this project..she will be saved one way or the other

 

[dbkerley]

Re: how to get a boat rub rail off?

or it may be glassed together on the inside then you would have to use some thing a hack saw blade to cut it apart.
woosterken

If you cut the wrong fillet or all the way through you can be finished real quick. Careful and wear good protective equipment. Nothing like watching a movie while covered in fiberglass.