May not be a big deal ....

Posted By: Gene Bragalone - #485/5.2
Date: 10/31/06 1:16p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Rubrail issue (Jenny, Harpoon 5.2)

The old rub rail that was on my boat had come loose in a couple spots. The rivets had just failed and the rub rail could be pulled away a bit to expose the remains of the rivets. From your explanation it seems similar and doesn't seem at all structural, just broken rivets. Not a major deal, probably. You can probably push the remnants of the rivets through and install new ones or seal the old ones, drill new holes next to the old ones and put in new ones. This will mean taking off the black strip at least on one side of the boat. The longitudinal play for lifting the rail away from the side of the boat is actually pretty forgiving and it probably will go back down without any noticeable buckling. I know because it would have worked on mine just fine. I checked that out. With a couple new rivets it probably will lay down pretty well. (Mine would have, as mentioned, but I made a last minute decision to replace the whole thing now instead of later. I had planned on doing it later more because of time than expense. I just got the boat and was pushing to get it into the water a least a couple times this season, but it needed considerable work. I managed to make time and get it done and still hit the water. More on that later when I can gather my pics and thoughts, but in movie trailer like tease #485 sails again after a 12 year hiatus.) Anyway, you can then reinstall the black rubber strip, which can be a bit of a challenge but probably will not be that big a deal since it already has taken a set and you don't have to fight to get it uncoiled. (Email me if you like and I can give you a call and talk you though that. It is a little tricky but not bad. Hint: Bring a friend.) Once you have the black strip off you can check for any additional loose rivets. You may find a couple more you want to drill out and replace or supplement.(I am pretty sure that you will) Lots has been said about sealing those and any new rivet you add. They are pop rivets! The MFG never sealed them originally and they do not automatically seal. They actually leak on their own pretty well ... all of them, new and old. Unless you spend a lot of time with the gunnels immersed it should not be a problem ... if it is, we all should take our rub rails off and reseal them, often. (I am sure to get academic disagreement here.)