Replacing a plastic rub rail.

[Northbeach]

I own a 1973 Cal T/4, 24’ fiberglass sailboat. I am considering replacing the “rub rail” that goes around the perimeter of the sailboat between the hull and deck joint. Mine is original; well faded and leaves white streaks on the hull where water drips off the deck and over the rub rail. If you happen to bump into the rub rail it will leave white chalky deposits all over whatever touched it.

Having never done this job what is involved? Getting the old stuff off can’t be that much of an issue, but how does one get the one piece rub rail back on the boat? Can this be done with the boat at the dock, or does it require it being on the hard? Is this a job I can do by myself in an afternoon or do I need help?

If you have done this job I would love to get your advice.

[craigtoo]

Hi Northbeach,

If your rail is really sandwich't between the hull and the deck, it sounds like a real PITA. Mine is sandwich't between my toerail and deck... It serves as a rubrail and it also provides a molding along the deck (towards the inside of the boat) between the toerail and the deck. In order to replace this, it would require removing all the througbolts that attach the toerail to the deck. No Easy Task.

My solution was to scrape the disgusting rubrail to reveal a nice clean white plastic below. That's completed, next - I plan on sanding this smooth and "polishing" (don't know exactly how to do that yet) rather than removing and replacing. We'll see if this works.

I know this didn't answer your question exactly, but perhaps gives you another alternative.

I'm sure others will have some great ideas... advice.. etc.
craig

[artbyjody]

Fisheries actually sells the rub molding. If all you need to replace is the rubber then you may want to investigate talking to those folks. I advise against replacing the entire system as you'll find your self filling a zillion holes where the metal housing screws in. The cheaper aspect is just to replace the rubber which if I recall is about $1.70 a foot....it is definitely a DIY job just time and patience is required.