I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

[ShawnQ]

I have a Blue Wave 189T Model boat, 1995, and I am currently putting durabak in it.<br /><br />So, I have the carpet and the rubrails pulled right now. When I pulled the rubrail, there was no type of sealant what-so-ever.<br /><br />I was actually impressed with the way it was held on: Instead of screws or rivets, they used 3/16" Stainless bolts/lock nuts every 6inches or so. It made it much easier to remove then rivets!<br /><br />Anyways, the boat is a 'rolled edge' boat, so there is no liner. The part of the boat that the rubrail connects to is 100% fiberglass/epoxy, no wood at all. I figure that it is basically waterproff as is, so I should be OK just re-installing it in the same holes, the way it was before, right?<br /><br />Just making sure that there isn't anything I need to coat the holes with before re-installing.<br /><br />Also, I was planning to buy a new rubrail if I can find one soon enough...any idea what they cost?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[SS66]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

My rub rail didnt seem to have any type of sealant.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

they are not sealed. They are suppose to stay above the water line

 

[outonbizniz2]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

Most people I have talked with in the Marine industry suggest putting a bead of 3M 5200 sealant in there. This is not to make it water tight but to make the boat quieter when hitting wakes/ rough water.<br /><br />I'm going to use it. It's not that expensive and since I already have the rail off I figure it can't hurt. Plus, it may cut down on water getting through the box joint from spray hitting the underneath side of the rubrail.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

My joint did not have sealant, but I installed 5200 when rejoining it, just for the sake of doing it.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

OutdoorBiz, and JasonJ,<br /><br />The thing with my boat is that there is no 'Joint'. It is just moulded glass/resin. <br /><br />Because it's a 'rolled edge' boat, there is no seam there between two halves. Therefore, there is no crack or crevice for water to seep into and penetrate the hull.<br /><br />I think I should be fine without it, due to the style of boat. If I had a liner hull with two halves, I would DEFINITELY apply a sealant to keep water from seeping between the two halves.<br /><br />I really like the way that it is held on...thru bolted! The beaut of bluewave...<br />Shawn

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

don't put anything there....mine is the same way and I'm putting a new rub rail on also.....it will only make things messy if you ever have to replace it again

 

[outonbizniz2]

Re: I dont need to seal my rub rail, do I ?

Agreed. If there is not 2 halves (deck and hull) joined then I don't see what good it would do you.