rubrail advice wanted

[SuperNova]

I need to install new rubrail on my '86 Nova III this spring and would like any helpful tips anybody might have to offer, including which type of rubrail to use. Thanks in advance for your time.
--
Stan

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

well, there are a limited number of suppliers. i think you have to go with your taste and what you want the finished product to look like. there's wide, narrow, thick, thin, then there are the colors.

 

[oops!]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

i boats has some super

http://www.iboats.com/Rub_Rails/dm/....271133--**********.987402232--view_id.271133

i saw a really cool rope one...looked great...cant find it now.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

I'm sorry, let me clarify. I didn't mean advice on style of rubrail. I meant advice on installation practices and material. I have removed and re-installed rubrail on a boat before, but this time I need to replace with new rubrail instead of re-installing the old one. So I am sure there are some tricks to getting around corners and flowing bends to make it look nice. These tips and tricks are what I am after as well as the best material to use. Thanks again.
--
Stan

 

[i386]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

Is yours extruded aluminum (sold in straight 18' lenghths) or the thinner stuff with a vinyl strip in it?

 

[salty87]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

TACO marine (.com) seems to be the biggest manu. you can go directly to their site (they don't sell retail), iboats can special order what you need if necessary. iboats doesn't show as many as they have. they also sell kits that include rail, insert, end caps and other hardware. the rigid rails are extremely expensive to ship and only come in 20' sections. i ordered semi-rigid kit, won't be here for another week and a half (special order adds 2 weeks).

there's a video around, i can't remember where i found a link but i'm sure it was on youtube.

they recommended tossing the new rail in the tub in some warm water unless you've got a particularly hot day. then you can probably just let it heat in the sun. they also stretched the daylights out of it when they were installing. there are a few other hints in the video...def a 2 man job from the looks of it. i think they used a flexible rail which would change things from a rigid.

other tips...find the middle of the rail and put it at the nose of the bow. screw it in and start stretching things to the stern. if i remember they had someone hold it tight at the stern while the other person wrestled it into place and drilled his way to the back.

edit- just search for taco rub rail and there are 2 videos...flexible and non...
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=taco+rub+rail&search_type=

 

[SuperNova]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

Is yours extruded aluminum (sold in straight 18' lenghths) or the thinner stuff with a vinyl strip in it?

It'd actually rigid vinyl with a stainless trimstrip over top of it. I know I am not going to find the exact match to it, an I'm not all that worried about matching it anyway. It is a 28' boat and the rail follows some contours, so I don't think it's going to be an easy installation.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

never done a new one.

 

[i386]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

I've not installed the stuff either, but I've done a lot of reading while trying to find an identical replacement for mine. The extruded stuff that Taco makes is sold in 18' lengths. If you order this, shipping will be outrageous. IMO you're better off getting it from a local supplier even if you have to get them to special order it.

Taco has published installation instructions here on their web site. The video posted previously is also good.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

First off take a look at the instruction's....pay close attention and then throw them away.
Place the rail in the sun on a warm day70 and above. Take a very fast drying caulk and apply it to the boat in a manner in which it will make firm contact with the rub rail. Have a electric screw driver and drill ready to go........Start in the middle of the transom that is first tap a hole and then sink the screw........have some one pull the rail around the boat with force place your screws every six inches.

Clear as mud.....first snap a chalk line which looks good then anchor only one screw and have some one literally pull and stretch the rail around the boat and see if your line's are right. If they are tap a hole ever six inches and then sink your screw.

Now this is important make dam sure your bit or screw driver does not hit the channel of rubber if it does it will scar the rail... the stuff does not take that to well and is noted in the inst.

Why the fast dry caulk... even with six inch spacing the rub rail will sag....trust me it will... place the boat in the shade when your wrapping and screwing it down..and hope the caulk keeps it from sagging...

 

[salty87]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

my kit arrived last night, pretty cool set-up. it took about a week, not the 2 weeks quoted.

my boat had a rigid rail originally, i'm replacing with semi-rigid. the profile of the rail and insert is the same as my original rail, there will only be 1 seam or joint, install should be easier, and it's a good bit cheaper than the rigid. check the prices, rigid and/or stainless is nuts.

if you go semi-rigid or flexible, you'll need a 70' roll which is special order.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: rubrail advice wanted

Heat guns work great.