How to safely remove Rub Rail?

[Uncivil]

I have a Hewescraft Searunner with a plastic carpet material on the Bow deck and gunwhale tops that is in poor shape. I want to remove it and either replace it or use a vinyl floor material to replace it. But before I do that I need to remove the rub rails to expose the edges. I have searched the site for info but there is no mention of how to remove it without damaging it. I would appreciate some advice on this. Thanks

 

[83vert]

Re: How to safely remove Rub Rail?

When I removed my rail it was just a matter of taking off the end covers, pulling the rubber out of the rail and drilling out all of the rivets. Do not pull on the rail or bend it as there might be some sort of glue behind it, just run a razor knife behind it to loosen it up. Good luck with it

 

[drewpster]

Re: How to safely remove Rub Rail?

If the insert has been in for several years it is unlikely that you will be able to remove it without messing it up. The rail itself should be attached using screws or rivets and caulk. Getting it off is much easier as described above. The good thing is that inserts are common and can be bought new. It is sold by the foot or in a kit and is not expensive. (the whole rail kit is expensive, the insert by itself is not)
Just do a search for rub rail insert and you should be able to find it. Or you can get it from iboats.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Parts_Ac...eywords.rub rail insert--**********.446239023

 

[allpoints360]

Re: How to safely remove Rub Rail?

Most rubrail is attached in 2 parts. The first part attaches to your boat. usually with screws or rivets, and holds the second part or the "bumper" material. The second part fits into or over the first part.

Start at the stern of the boat where the rubrail ends. There is usually a cap or cover to conceal the ends.

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: How to safely remove Rub Rail?

My rub rail is aluminum with a black vinyl insert, I found the insert seam in the back of the boat and removed 2 screws holding it to the rail (your boat may have an insert cover instead). Then I pulled the insert out slowly around the boat...

I did not harm the insert at all but it has seen better days and will be replaced by one of the new ones listed in drewpster's link in his post...

I used a drill bit large enough to drill out the rivet head to the rail...leave a few carefully positioned rivets to remove last so that the rail does not just fall off the boat. I then used a razor knife to cut the adhesive seal between rub rail and hull, then carefully removed the last rivets and the rail...

I then used a nail set to punch out the rest of the rivets and removed the adhesive...

 

[TojosMojo]

Re: How to safely remove Rub Rail?

Oh yeah, when you decide to reinstall the rail first clean out any loose adhesive between the cap/hull and then you can reseal the cap with 3m 4200 adhesive, then install the rub rail.