Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

[Lamontx]

Hello, I'm new to the forums and was looking for some advice. I'm trying to help my dad fix up his 1973 Crestliner U/K, as it needs some work on the transom and other rotted wood. So with what we've seen and read here and elsewhere on the net we decided to take the top of the boat off as others have.

Well that came to a halt quickly as I took the insert out of the aluminum rubrail to get at the screws to remove it, but what do I find, no screws OR rivets. Everything I'm reading today says that all aluminum rub rails are held to the boat with either screws or rivets, but this boat has neither?

I don't want to damage the rub rail, and especially not the rim/seam of the boat, but light prying isn't accomplishing much at the moment.

I've included 2 pics to show what I'm dealing with. There are no screws on the underside of the rail either. You can see 2 holes at the end of the rail there, but they are unused.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Welcome to iBoats!
If I am not mistaken. Photo #2 shows the cap and the hull being held together with Staples and the rub rail overlapping the two. This was an alternate method of attaching the cap to the hull. It may also have some kind of adhesive between the two that you will have to pry or cut. Take your time and possibly use a heat gun to soften up the seam if it does have an adhesive bond.

I'm just sayin...

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

I agree with woodonglass. It looks like staples holding it all together. If those are staples, soak them in wd-40 or PBblaster and then try to lightly pry them out. It might take some work, but they should come out.

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

I think his question is how to get the rub rail off not how to get the staples out and split the deck.

It is possible the rail slides on from one end to the other? Maybe take a wood block and hammer to tap on one end of the rub rail to see if you can drive it off the other end. It looks to me like that may be easier than trying to pry it off.

Think of it like one of those report covers from back in the day. The ones where the spine slide on from top to bottom and pinched the report to bind it.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Yeah, I think Mohican might be right. HMMMM sliding or prying it over the staples is the only way I would know. I will search the forum to see if there is a former post on the topic.

I'm just sayin...

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Looks like the rub rail is holding on that lip like a paper clip, the kind that you flip the wings over and squeeze to release the tension. I think you may be able to take some pliers, put a piece of rubber tube over the jaws so you don't mar the rail, and gently pinch the rail, it will release off the lip.

 

[Lamontx]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Thanks for the welcome and replies Yeah Last Mohican, just worried about getting the Rub Rail off first, hehe.

Hammering it from either end (it's in 2 pieces, one per side of the boat meeting at the nose) accomplishes little, so I tried JAF01's idea and it does seem to be loosening it, I may keep going with that, it just still seems that I'm missing something. Originally I thought "man I hope it's not riveted on", but right now I'm wishing for rivets, lol.

Woodonglass, my search didn't find anything but I know I don't know the proper terminologies, hehe, so if you do happen to stumble upon something similar that would be great to hear about

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Hello Lamon..

hmm .. very peculiar..

From what your pics are telling me is that the rail was just " snapped " in. What I mean is that it appears that the top inside of your rail is actually fitted " over and behind " the staples. Therefore the staple heads are kinda helping holding the rail on.

Look and LOOK again with flashlights if need be for any fastener holding the foot or two .. if not then your going to have to pry that baby off one .. inch.. at a time.. being carefull of not warping the alum. I allready see the first 4" of that rail kinda bent up on top where it appears to have been worked over a staple.

The next question is going to be after you get that baby off .. then back on is " HOW to reinstall the insert

YD.

 

[bailey]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Lamon if you combine the 2 post (Jao1 and DY) together your problem might be solved! If you use a pair of pliers and carefully squeeze the outside edges of the rub rail just enough so that the inside edge "clears" those staples you might lucky and the rail might be able to come away from the boat. I think I would use a pair of vise grips rather than pliers just my suggestion.
Hope you succeed
Bailey

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Look on the bright side... If the rubrail is not damaged, and is still usable, then to put it back on will be a breeze! Just tap it back on with a rubber mallet.

On another note... Once he gets the rubrail off, to separate the top and the hull, could he use a fine tooth blade in a reciprocation saw to carefully cut along the joint to cut through the staples and the glue? I don't know, I have never been faced with that situation, so don't flame me. Just asking. Don't hate me, teach me.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Look on the bright side... If the rubrail is not damaged, and is still usable, then to put it back on will be a breeze! Just tap it back on with a rubber mallet.

On another note... Once he gets the rubrail off, to separate the top and the hull, could he use a fine tooth blade in a reciprocation saw to carefully cut along the joint to cut through the staples and the glue? I don't know, I have never been face with that situation, so don't flame me. Just asking. Don't hate me, teach me.

I don't hate anyone! I learnin' too!

It's hard to tell if there is glue in that seam. If I were doing it, I'd grind the staple, on each side, just enough to cut the staple, then test lifting the cap. Then if I found glue, I'd try a saw or chisel.

 

[JCNailen]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

I can't imagine them not laying a bead of something between the two just to watertight it.

 

[BOYS & TOYS]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

My Crestliner Mustang had the same system. Rub rail looks to be crimped after staples. No glues or sealers in seam. Had to pull hard but carefully not to distort alum rub rail.
Plan on 3m 5200 in lieu of staples and hiding ss screws behind rubber insert to reattach alum.
Good luck
Mark

 

[JAFO1]

Re: Remove screwless/rivotless Rub Rail?

Checking in to see how the rub rail removal went. Can you update us?
Thanks!