What's a good alternative to old rub rails?

[Glaze71]

My current rails are needing to be taken off to paint the boat. They are also some broken rivets causing the chrome to separate from the boat. I thought of removing them all if there was a cheap alternative method to give it a cleaner look while still adding some protection.

 

[alldodge]

Boat and cheap in most cases don't go together. That said google "boat rub rail" it will come up with several sites which carry a wide variety or styles and materials

 

[Woodonglass]

What boat??? Does anybody SEE a boat?? Just yanking your chain!!!!:lol: But...Pics really help us to SEE what you see and then give better answers. If the old ones aren't all beat up and the only issue is the holes and rivets you can drill new holes and use stainless screws to attach the RR. If the Rubber insert is bad you can buy that new and Save a BUNCH of Bucks!!!

 

[tpenfield]

A good alternative to old rubrails would be new rubrails

Figure about $10 per foot . . . crazy money for sure, but there does not seem to be alternatives that both provide protection and are easy on the eyes.

 

[Glaze71]

Canada is way too expensive. What about none? I won't be docking with other boats and would use those white bumper things. Just looking for a cleaner look.

 

[Woodonglass]

Like I said, Post some Pics so we can SEE what you're working with! Some boats lend themselves to what you're proposing better than others.

 

[vetting]

Take a look at the Uniflex rubrails made by barbourcorp
I got mine at http://www.integritymarinecorp.com/
I got enough for a 25' boat for $210 plus shipping. Just match yours to the closest size/profile they offer. Whats nice it was super easy to keep straight during the install yet really easy to bend around corners - this is accomplished by only the inner band being stiff and the black plastic being soft.

 

[alldodge]

Depends on the boat, but most all boats are screwed or riveted together along the rub rail. The top and bottom halves of the boat come together there. If you have the rubber insert it can be replaced with new cheaper.

As WOG said looks like were going to need a pic to help

 

[Glaze71]

Sorry so bad at adding images with phone. Way too many links that do nothing..........

 

[Glaze71]

Just a link to some I took before I picked her up. The body is capped and was thinking of drilling out rivets and and just filling the holes. Still wondering if there's a easy genius alternative. So much is being replaced as it is. The rather large chrome looks a little clumsy at least to my liking.

 

[Woodonglass]

Ahhh, Now I remember who you are. This is a good example why the iBoats Forum has rules and guideline about keeping all your posts concerning your project in ONE thread. I keeps things like this from happening. Lots of confused members!!! In all the time you've been posting you've been asked to post pics of your boat and as of yet this has not happened. I'm pretty sure you're NOT going to get the assistance you desire unless you research the methods on how to post your pics. It's been explained to you in the past. Photobucket IS the best way to get the job done.

 

[alldodge]

Those rivets hold the two halves together, filling them and making them look nice will not keep the boat together. The cheap way may be to drill rivets out, then install new rivets. Now paint a stripe around to try to cover, but rivet heads will still show.

Get some semi soft vinyl or aluminum strip and use some SS screws and attach around

 

[sphelps]

I used the original aluminum rail and then black rope in the groove ... May not be what your looking for though ... The vinyl inserts are pretty pricey and come in 50 ft lengths ..I needed 52 ft .. :cold:
Turned out great and no problems so far ...

 

[Glaze71]

I love the rope idea and just today saw one for sale locally. 50 ft for $8 and red to boot! Did you glue it all the way around?

 

[sphelps]

This is how I installed it ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faWHJk33Tn4

 

[Willyclay]

Sam, I watched your video and have to say "well done"!

 

[harleyman1975]

Necessity is the mother of invention! Nice job.

 

[Glaze71]

Ordered 50 ft of 1/2" red rope. Thought it would be great to drill out the old rusty rivets and replace them. After trying to drill them out and breaking a bit, I gave up till tomorrow. Got carpet in at least.

 

[sphelps]

You may want to try a few different size ropes .. Test fit to make sure it fits the groove well ...

 

[Glaze71]

Got the old rails off. Seems like it wasn't holding the two halves together after all. Since the rail bent and overall condition, I will look for some type of heavy duty weatherstripping to cover the area.