Rub rail repair?

[rhsanborn]

There are a few places on my boat where the rub rail appears to be separating from the hull in a few places. The previous owner used to grind the front corner of the boat against a post to force the boat to turn into the slip, and that's the area that seems to be separating a bit. It's a big, thick piece of black rubber that goes all the way around the boat. Does anyone have links to repair/replacement tutorials? I'm not even sure how the rail might be attached, much less how to replace/seal it, and I'd like to see some other boats so I can get an idea of what I'm up against without pulling back on the rail and damaging it further.

[Edit]
Thanks arf... I need to update my sig.

It's a 1978 Morgan OI 30.

[arf145]

Best you let folks know what kind of boat you've got (and the year) to help them help you.

[rhsanborn]

It's a Morgan OI 30. Thanks for catching that arf.

[SJ34]

Taco Marine has just about every conceivable size and shape of rub rail and insert.

[rhsanborn]

I'm hoping CaptForce might have a source. I think maybe the 41 and the 30 have a similar rub rail config.

[SVCarolena]

A picture would help as rubrails can be attached in more than one manner. That said, many have a rubber insert that is held in a plastic or aluminum chanel. Ours was rubber in plastic and had some out of the groove in several places. I was able to work it back into place on a hot day with a screwdriver.

[Gladrags1]

Catalina uses a rubber insert in a metal channel. On my previous boat, a Catalina 30, I would sometimes brush up against a piling that the wind pushed me against. This would cause the rubber to come out of the channel and stretch. I would then have to hang over the edge and work it back into the channel, sometimes using a screwdriver to help coax the groove back in place. I would often have an extra loop to put in since the rubber was stretched. I would work it from side to side to get it back in the channel. If that didn't work, I would removeit to the stern end where it was secured with a screw, reinstalling it as I went and cutting off the excess. I don't know of other options and it was a pita! I'm glad to have sold the boat and now sail a Bayfield 36 with 2 teak rubrails with brass cove moldings. Much better!

Tod

[sawingknots]

most have a two piece[channel-insert system thats pop riveted to the hull/deck,the harder plastic channels can be heated with a heat gun to make the corner turns,the insert is much softer and slips into the channel very easily,i fill the old river holes with a dab of 5200 and drill the new holes,dabing 5200 on the replacement screws beneath the channel just before i tighten them,its a easy one day job

[rhsanborn]

Here is the best photo I can find of the rub rail. It's huge, and there isn't a discernable track that I can see. It wouldn't just be "glued on" would it? Maybe it's screwed in and then plugs place over the screws?

[Gladrags1]

From your picture, it looks like this product: TACO PRODUCTS Rubrail at West Marine (TACO PRODUCTS
Rigid Vinyl Rubrail - 1-3/4" H x 1-11/16" W

• Model # 10725315 | Manuf. # V21-9647WHA20D )

According to the description on the West Marine catalogue (see link) it is drilled and screwed in, over a Stainless insert?

Tod