Rub Rail Repair / Sealing Stanchions

[Jerbear]

I bought a 23' Oday last summer. This is my first Sailboat...other than my sunfish. The boat is a '77 and has been sitting in a slip for the past 3 years with only a few daysails in that time. I spent the rest of last summer just enjoying the boat and was planning on fixing it up while it was out of the water for the winter. One of the repairs I need to make is to the port side rub rail. There is about a six foot section that has been torn to shreads by a piling while it just sat for the past 3 years. I'm having a problem finding replacement rub rails. I can't seem to find the same rub rails that are on my boat. I'd like to replace just a portion of the rub rail, but if I have to, I would consider replacing the entire rub rail. Either way, I'd like to use the same rub rail that was originally on the boat. Does anybody have any suggestions about where I can find them? None of the websites I've found have had the same ones that are on my boat.
Also, I desperately need to waterproof my lifeline stanchions. I have to pump a couple gallons of water out everytime it rains. Does anybody have any suggestions for what to use to waterproof them? The only thing I've heard is that you don't want to use silicone because it's not so fond of salt water.
I can't wait to get back out on the water this spring, but I want to make sure I get a lot of the work done on the boat before I put it back in the water. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Jerbear - Welcome

I bought a 23' Oday last summer. This is my first Sailboat...other than my sunfish. The boat is a '77 and has been sitting in a slip for the past 3 years with only a few daysails in that time. I spent the rest of last summer just enjoying the boat and was planning on fixing it up while it was out of the water for the winter. One of the repairs I need to make is to the port side rub rail. There is about a six foot section that has been torn to shreads by a piling while it just sat for the past 3 years. I'm having a problem finding replacement rub rails. I can't seem to find the same rub rails that are on my boat. I'd like to replace just a portion of the rub rail, but if I have to, I would consider replacing the entire rub rail. Either way, I'd like to use the same rub rail that was originally on the boat. Does anybody have any suggestions about where I can find them? None of the websites I've found have had the same ones that are on my boat.
Also, I desperately need to waterproof my lifeline stanchions. I have to pump a couple gallons of water out everytime it rains. Does anybody have any suggestions for what to use to waterproof them? The only thing I've heard is that you don't want to use silicone because it's not so fond of salt water.
I can't wait to get back out on the water this spring, but I want to make sure I get a lot of the work done on the boat before I put it back in the water. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Jerbear,

You have come the the correct place for information about your concerns.

I am not going the specifics of your concerns and answer them but rather teach you how to put a worn on a hook.

This website in run by Captain Herring and his lliberal acolytes. Notwithstanding their politcs they have provided a site with not only provides realtime feedback but more importantly 'archives of past discussion of similar questions' and under 'owner modifations tab' historical documentation.

While you are waiting for Keith to put down the rum bottle and respond to your specific questions, study the archives and modifications tabs.

There are a plethora of other experienced captains to assist you. But begin here:

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=262

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=264

Ed K
O26

 

[emergpa1]

Jerbear,

You have come the the correct place for information about your concerns.

I am not going the specifics of your concerns and answer them but rather teach you how to put a worn on a hook.

This website in run by Captain Herring and his lliberal acolytes. Notwithstanding their politcs they have provided a site with not only provides realtime feedback but more importantly 'archives of past discussion of similar questions' and under 'owner modifations tab' historical documentation.

While you are waiting for Keith to put down the rum bottle and respond to your specific questions, study the archives and modifications tabs.



There are a plethora of other experienced captains to assist you. But begin here:

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=262

http://oday.sailboatowners.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=264

Ed K
O26

Hi JerBear,
First of all, please forgive, or at least tolerate my good friend, and fear-monger-conservative, Ed K. Don't let him scare you. As is typical of those who are devoid of solutions to modern problems, he joins other right wingers and resorts to scaring ill informed souls into rejecting solutions that involve change so as to continue the status quo. The good ole right wing mantra "we are going to hell in a handbasket but at least we know where were are going and how we are gonna get there and if we change it might get worse!" ! (grin)

Ok, enough barbs....
First, you can't discuss politics in a thread devoted to sailing (hence the tucking in of potshots between ed and I)

Next, I never drink rum before 10 oclock (a.m.) At least not out of the bottle, I usually mix it with my morning OJ ;>

Three, or is it fourth: There is a good thread on rubrails called "another rubrail question" See if the search engine will bring that up. For the closest match to your rubrail, try D & R Marine. Check out their online site to get an idea of what they have, then give them a call. Rudy is very helpful.

BTW other good resources online are Defender Marine and Jamestown Distributors.

RE: the stanchion rebedding, and other leaks you will find, If you do not yet have Don Casey's "ThIS OLD BOAT" then get it right away and read it cover to cover. Also the magazine GOOD OLD BOAT is great. Regarding your stanchions, the above book is a great place to start figuring out what you need to do. You might do a search on rebedding deck fittings, or on adhesives or sealents.
More later
keith

 

[Joe11688]

Welcome Jerbear!
What kind of rub rail do you have, Vinyl or Aluminum with the rubber strip? If you have Aluminum, you should re caulk the whole thing with a Polysulfide caulking when you find that piece of rub rail you're after. Rudy at D & R Marine would be the guy to ask about the gunwale strip. If you have Vinyl, you'll need to caulk it with a plastic friendly caulking like Dow Corning 795. If you can't find it, Rudy has this also. As for the stanchion rails, I wouldn't remove any of them yet until you caulk the gunwale strip molding. Unless you know for sure the leak is coming from one of them. I think they have rubber gaskets under them and Rudy also carries them, but stainless steel bolts break easy so unless you have to remove these stanchions, you're best to leave them as a last resort for curing leaks. Because these are metal, Polysulfide caulking is the best to use for these.
Joe

 

[Jerbear]

Thank You All!

Thank you all for your feedback! I appreciate the advice. I've met a lot of "experienced" boaters since I bought my boat. I have to say that I've learned a lot from the "Old Timers" and from the young guys with the newer ideas as well. I try to get as much info as I can and sort out what I think the best advice is. So far, so good (I'm knocking on my wooden desktop).

Thanks Ed K for the links. I will check them out later when I have a little more time. I also appreciate that you used the word plethora. I don't use a lot of fancy words, but I do love to use that one.

Thank you Keith for the thread "another rubrail question". I will definitely check that one out later. Thanks for the resources too. The guy I bought the boat from gave me some paperwork from D & R Marine (receipts, etc.). They seemed like a pretty good place to get O day parts. I found the rub rails there and was considering buying them. I thought I would put out this thread and see if anybody had other suggestions. I will check out Defender Marine and Jamestown Distributors too. As for the book...maybe that will be my first Boat Book purchase. I've read a few good books from the library, but how could I go wrong with a book titled "This Old Boat"?

Thanks for the advice Joe! I have vinyl rub rails. I really only need to replace one side of the rub rails, but I might just do both sides anyway. Whoever put the last set on did a pretty rough job at the bow. I was looking at other boats in the boat yard and it looks like they're supposed to stop just before the bow on both sides, but mine is wrapped around and it looks very sloppy. Maybe I'll give Rudy a call and see what he can offer me. As for the stanchions, I have noticed a couple of them are leaking. Maybe I will just do the ones that are definitely leaking for now and wait til I "have to" do the other ones in the future.

Thanks again for welcoming me to the group. I look forward to "chatting" with you again soon. I'm sorry that I didn't buy my boat sooner. I remember reading an article in our local newspaper about an O day Gathering here on Long Island last summer. I'm sorry I missed it. Maybe next time.

Jerbear

 

[Joe11688]

Thank you all for your feedback! I appreciate the advice. I've met a lot of "experienced" boaters since I bought my boat. I have to say that I've learned a lot from the "Old Timers" and from the young guys with the newer ideas as well. I try to get as much info as I can and sort out what I think the best advice is. So far, so good (I'm knocking on my wooden desktop).

Thanks Ed K for the links. I will check them out later when I have a little more time. I also appreciate that you used the word plethora. I don't use a lot of fancy words, but I do love to use that one.

Thank you Keith for the thread "another rub rail question". I will definitely check that one out later. Thanks for the resources too. The guy I bought the boat from gave me some paperwork from D & R Marine (receipts, etc.). They seemed like a pretty good place to get O day parts. I found the rub rails there and was considering buying them. I thought I would put out this thread and see if anybody had other suggestions. I will check out Defender Marine and Jamestown Distributors too. As for the book...maybe that will be my first Boat Book purchase. I've read a few good books from the library, but how could I go wrong with a book titled "This Old Boat"?

Thanks for the advice Joe! I have vinyl rub rails. I really only need to replace one side of the rub rails, but I might just do both sides anyway. Whoever put the last set on did a pretty rough job at the bow. I was looking at other boats in the boat yard and it looks like they're supposed to stop just before the bow on both sides, but mine is wrapped around and it looks very sloppy. Maybe I'll give Rudy a call and see what he can offer me. As for the stanchions, I have noticed a couple of them are leaking. Maybe I will just do the ones that are definitely leaking for now and wait til I "have to" do the other ones in the future.

Thanks again for welcoming me to the group. I look forward to "chatting" with you again soon. I'm sorry that I didn't buy my boat sooner. I remember reading an article in our local newspaper about an O day Gathering here on Long Island last summer. I'm sorry I missed it. Maybe next time.

Jerbear

Jerbear,
I know that metal rub rail is pricey, but if you can spring for the metal I think that it would be well worth installing on your O'Day 23. You can go with Boat Life Boat Caulk or 3-M caulking which is my favorite, and never have a leaking problem. At any rate, when the area under your rub rail is all caulked and put back together, stay clear of certain cleaners with Oxalic Acid or anything that can eat caulking. Just use soap and water on your deck and you'll be way ahead of the game. I had to learn this one the hard way.
Joe

 

[emergpa1]

if you take off the rub rail, it is a great time to restore your gelcoat to a glossy shine you will be proud of!
keith

 

[Jerbear]

Thanks Guys for the advice. I really need to get to work on the boat. It's supposed to be Sunny and 70 degrees this weekend. Hope to get a lot of work done. I'll check into the metal rub rail. Thanks,

Jerbear

 

[emergpa1]

Yeah dude. And the more u do the more u learn. My rubrail wraps around the front and to about 1/2 way down the side. No joint at her pretty nose! There is a joint there. If part of the rubrail needs repalacing maybe more? The lifeline stanchions. Yes. Just do the two that leak. Learn from your mistakes. And then do two more. Did u get this old boat? Pardon typos. Posting frm phone. Have fun.