Catalina 30 rub rail attachment

[George Da Porge]

Have a 1990 Catalina 30. Will be replacing the rub rail vinyl in the spring. The old stuff was getting pretty deteriorated and brittle. While it's out I plan to check all of the rail screws/bolts. It appears that in some areas the rail is bolted through the hull (in the area where the shrouds are anchored and at the bow (I didn't check the stern area), and other areas it must be screwed.

Are these bolts and screws also the mechanical anchoring for the deck to the hull? It is typical that some of the rub rail would be through-bolted and some would be screwed?

Thanks in advance for any tips!!

 

[jrowan]

Yes, you got it. Those screws and fasteners are exactly what holds the hull & deck together. The rub rail covers the shoebox overlapping deck to hull joint. There is also a slurry of fiberglass resin that bonds the deck to the hull, and screws about every 2 " & as you mentioned some through bolts are added for strength in strategic places.
I was under the impression that the rub rail is held in place by locking into the aluminum channel of the rub rail track. It has a groove top & bottom which holds the rub rail in place. There are a couple of screws on mine, where the rub rail lengths end at the center point of the stern to hold it in place, & prevent the rub rail from slipping out or separating. You can pry the old rub rail out with flat head screwdrivers & putty knives. I would start at the stern seams & pry it away a bit at a time. Its easier to remove then replace. As with anything just take your time. When I remove anything these days, I like to take pics with my phone as a reference for when I put things back together, but the rub rail replacement is pretty straight forward. I would replace it when it has been warmed up in the sun for a while on a warm day, as it will be a lot easer to work with when the rubber is not cold & hard. I'm sure the new rub rail will come with directions if it is from CD, etc. Good luck.

 

[hvbaker]

I replaced my rub rail last year. Slow going with a rubber mallet. Stretch pound - stretch pound. I started at the stern and went all the way around. As I recall it took about four hours of swinging the mallet.

 

[George Da Porge]

Thanks guys! The rub part of the rail itself does fit into the aluminum rail. Mine pulled out quite easily - hardly had to pull on it.

hvbaker - I'm planning to go gray also - yours looks great!!

 

[hvbaker]

Thanks guys! The rub part of the rail itself does fit into the aluminum rail. Mine pulled out quite easily - hardly had to pull on it. hvbaker - I'm planning to go gray also - yours looks great!!

Thanks. The old one came out very easy. The new one going in was quite another story. The new one has not come out even if the rail goes in the water. The old one use to come out quite often.