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Rub Rail Insert Replacement
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Over time the plastic insert in the aluminum rub rail deteriorates and starts look pretty ugly.
Stormwatch's rub rail insert not only looked bad, but where it had repeatedly rubbed against the dock in it's old marina berth, the plastic was worn away to the point that the aluminum itself, would have rubbed against the dock.
The rub rail insert is a single piece of soft plastic, that runs from the stern of the boat, around the bow, and back to the stern.
Removing the old rub rail insert was extremely easy...
I first removed the two screws that held the insert in place, at the stern of the boat.
I then used an old screwdriver to pry the end of the insert, away from the aluminum rail.
Then I simply grabbed the insert and walked around the boat, pulling it out of the rub rail.
Once the insert was removed, I took a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the aluminum rail.
You may with to inspect the rail for damage, and possibly remove and re-bed the whole rail if you are experiencing leaks.
In my case I simply cleaned the rail.
It's a simple process to replace the rub rail insert.... As long as it's warm outside.
I started at the stern of the boat.
Since the boat was on the trailer, I pushed the lip of the rub rail insert up into the lip of the aluminum rail. I then used a plastic interior automotive trim panel tool to push the bottom lip of the insert into place.
Once I had a small section installed, I re-installed the screw the held the end in place.
I then proceeded to slooowly install the rest of the insert.
Why sloowly you ask ?
When I started the job it was early morning in early summer, with a temperature around 74F/23C and the plastic insert was stiff.
My fingers got really sore pretty quickly so I quit for a while, and then went back to it.
I ended up doing a little at a time over the day, and got half the boat done.
A few days later the temperature was warmer, and I completed the job in a short time.
So.. If you replace your rub rail insert.. do it when it's hot outside. The warmer the better.
One thing to keep in mind if you replace yours..
On the new style C22, the insert has a "lip" inside the rail, that will interfere with the bolts if you try install the insert upside down.
Rub Rail Insert with Internal Lip Towards The Bottom
Rub Rail Insert Retaining Screw
Rub Rail Insert Replacement
------
Over time the plastic insert in the aluminum rub rail deteriorates and starts look pretty ugly.
Stormwatch's rub rail insert not only looked bad, but where it had repeatedly rubbed against the dock in it's old marina berth, the plastic was worn away to the point that the aluminum itself, would have rubbed against the dock.
The rub rail insert is a single piece of soft plastic, that runs from the stern of the boat, around the bow, and back to the stern.
Removing the old rub rail insert was extremely easy...
I first removed the two screws that held the insert in place, at the stern of the boat.
I then used an old screwdriver to pry the end of the insert, away from the aluminum rail.
Then I simply grabbed the insert and walked around the boat, pulling it out of the rub rail.
Once the insert was removed, I took a pressure washer and thoroughly cleaned the aluminum rail.
You may with to inspect the rail for damage, and possibly remove and re-bed the whole rail if you are experiencing leaks.
In my case I simply cleaned the rail.
It's a simple process to replace the rub rail insert.... As long as it's warm outside.
I started at the stern of the boat.
Since the boat was on the trailer, I pushed the lip of the rub rail insert up into the lip of the aluminum rail. I then used a plastic interior automotive trim panel tool to push the bottom lip of the insert into place.
Once I had a small section installed, I re-installed the screw the held the end in place.
I then proceeded to slooowly install the rest of the insert.
Why sloowly you ask ?
When I started the job it was early morning in early summer, with a temperature around 74F/23C and the plastic insert was stiff.
My fingers got really sore pretty quickly so I quit for a while, and then went back to it.
I ended up doing a little at a time over the day, and got half the boat done.
A few days later the temperature was warmer, and I completed the job in a short time.
So.. If you replace your rub rail insert.. do it when it's hot outside. The warmer the better.
One thing to keep in mind if you replace yours..
On the new style C22, the insert has a "lip" inside the rail, that will interfere with the bolts if you try install the insert upside down.
Rub Rail Insert with Internal Lip Towards The Bottom
Rub Rail Insert Retaining Screw