Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

[enginesilo]

I'm considering buying a 2001 Rinker and there is one section of the rub rail that looks flattened out and loose. Guessing a past owner hit a dock or another boat enough to break it loose. I can also see that there is a little bit of silicone in that section where they tried to repair it.

Is this a big deal if it looks like there is no damage to the boat, but the rub rail is loose? Is this something that can be siliconed and make sure its not leaking, or something that I crucially should be replacing? Its about half way up on the front side of the boat so it doesn't get direct water splashing, but definitely could if it was rough.

I think the rub rail is what holds the top shell onto the boat hull itself, is that right? So I want to be sure this isn't a major issue. Boat doesn't seem like it took on any odd water or anything, but I'll have to grab the hose and check I guess.

Any insight appreciated.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

Usually rub rails are just like the bumpers on your car...they are made for a certain amount of bumping and rubbing...in most cases it is not a big deal and is usually just a cosmetic offense...
You might be able to find a section of similar rub rail and splice in a repair piece, however, most rub rail inserts are sold in rolls of 50 feet or so...
Something to consider is if the aluminum part of the rub rail is in good shape, you can replace just the rubber insert with a new one...If the aluminum part is damaged, you may have to check around for a local boat scrap yard and see if you can find a replacement section, or if it is really bad, you may have to spend some serious bucks and replace the entire thing, which can get pricey...here is one link to get an idea of some pricing...Boat Rub Rails - iboats

Also, be sure to do a really close inspection of the area around the damage to be sure the underlying fiberglass hasn't been too badly damaged...

If you post up a couple of good pictures of the damage, some of the other members on the forum may be able to give you some other ideas...

Good Luck!
GT1M

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

Usually rub rails are just like the bumpers on your car...they are made for a certain amount of bumping and rubbing...in most cases it is not a big deal and is usually just a cosmetic offense...
You might be able to find a section of similar rub rail and splice in a repair piece, however, most rub rail inserts are sold in rolls of 50 feet or so...
Something to consider is if the aluminum part of the rub rail is in good shape, you can replace just the rubber insert with a new one...If the aluminum part is damaged, you may have to check around for a local boat scrap yard and see if you can find a replacement section, or if it is really bad, you may have to spend some serious bucks and replace the entire thing, which can get pricey...here is one link to get an idea of some pricing...Boat Rub Rails - iboats

Also, be sure to do a really close inspection of the area around the damage to be sure the underlying fiberglass hasn't been too badly damaged...

If you post up a couple of good pictures of the damage, some of the other members on the forum may be able to give you some other ideas...

Good Luck!
GT1M

Thanks for the input and insight. Attached are some pictures. The boat isn't local so these were pictures I got of it recently. You can see that there is a section that is flattened which looks like they must have hit really hard. Also in the second picture you can see that the caulk is not there any longer. Looked like they may have recaulked in some areas, or, that was the original caulk that has now fell out since it was hit.

Come to think of it, I noticed some water underneath a storage compartment towards the front of the boat. Could have been from the anchor storage area up front since they washed the boat the day before I went to see it. Boat has been on land for many months in storage due to weather so do you think that water could have came from the rub rail and a wash down, or think it may have come in from the window hatch? Just thinking out loud here.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

From the pics you posted, it looks like the rub rail did exactly what it is supposed to do...prevent further damage to the boat from impact...
BTW, you are 100% correct about the rub rail being the point of joining/attachment between the top {aka, Cap} and bottom {aka, Hull}...
My next concern would be the water you mentioned and the fact the boat has been stored...
Any standing water in a boat can lead to problems...
If the water did in fact come from a recent wash down, and has a place to drain out...that is not too bad...
If the boat has been stored without a cover and the bilge plug left in, that could be a sign of possible trouble...
If the boat was stored without a cover, had the bow raised as high as possible, had the bilge drain plug removed and no water was allowed to stand in it, everything might be OK...
You should try and do a very thorough inspection, not necessarily a core sampling { as the current owner probably wouldn't allow such a thing}, but get down in the back as low as possible in the bilge area and look for evidence of water that has been sitting...
That could be an indication that some problems exist...
Unfortunately, there is no easy way, short of actually doing core samples from the wood structure of the boat, or actually seeing visible signs of rot, to know if it rot...which is something that can significantly impact the value and life expectancy of the boat...
If the value of the boat warrants, you may want to have a professional Marine survey done, although that too, is no guarantee that problems don't exist...
I hope not to have rained on your parade, but these are things you should concern yourself with, especially if you are putting down a sizeable investment...
Another thing I would ask for before commitment to buy is a sea trial...

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

From the pics you posted, it looks like the rub rail did exactly what it is supposed to do...prevent further damage to the boat from impact...
BTW, you are 100% correct about the rub rail being the point of joining/attachment between the top {aka, Cap} and bottom {aka, Hull}...
My next concern would be the water you mentioned and the fact the boat has been stored...
Any standing water in a boat can lead to problems...
If the water did in fact come from a recent wash down, and has a place to drain out...that is not too bad...
If the boat has been stored without a cover and the bilge plug left in, that could be a sign of possible trouble...
If the boat was stored without a cover, had the bow raised as high as possible, had the bilge drain plug removed and no water was allowed to stand in it, everything might be OK...
You should try and do a very thorough inspection, not necessarily a core sampling { as the current owner probably wouldn't allow such a thing}, but get down in the back as low as possible in the bilge area and look for evidence of water that has been sitting...
That could be an indication that some problems exist...
Unfortunately, there is no easy way, short of actually doing core samples from the wood structure of the boat, or actually seeing visible signs of rot, to know if it rot...which is something that can significantly impact the value and life expectancy of the boat...
If the value of the boat warrants, you may want to have a professional Marine survey done, although that too, is no guarantee that problems don't exist...
I hope not to have rained on your parade, but these are things you should concern yourself with, especially if you are putting down a sizeable investment...
Another thing I would ask for before commitment to buy is a sea trial...

Hey GT1,
Thanks for all the great info and knowledge. Very helpful in helping me steer my research and considerations on this particular boat. Care to share some more knowledge? I'll give some more details.

Never realized how important the rub rail was on a boat. I've helped change out the rope insert on a boat a few years back but never the actual rub rail that connects the Cap and Hull.

So with that boat, would you say that this section of rub rail should be replaced or repaired? I tried to pull at it and was able to move it slightly up and down, but it still felt attached. With that type of rub rail can you patch only a section, or would I be better off replacing the entire wrap around? Also I was searching around looking at replacement rub rails and noticed many have an aluminum style frame and then a rubber piece sort of snaps in. This boat has a full rub rail that is plastic/rubber I think. Is this replaced the same way. Should this section be a big concern, or is it something a DIY handy person can handle?

The boats engine bay is almost bone dry, and I was able to look into a few other areas of the inside hull through some storage areas and it also looked dry. The water I am mentioning was in a storage under the pads in the cuddy cab. There are 3, one in the front area, and then 2 on the sides and each has a small drain hole in it. So, I'm guessing that one was clogged up a bit. In terms of how much water? I'd say a full gallon, maybe 2.

Now did the water come from a wash down this week, or did it collect over the winter is the question. I think the guy had it under a tarp but I'm not 100%. Only reason why I think this is because a portion of the colored vinyl had a little discoloring that is common when a tarp touches the vinyl too long. Also, there was some mold spotting on the vinyl which I've also seen in tarped boats, or shrink wrapped boats that don't have a vent placed in them.

The odd part is that the cuddy cushions did not seem wet, the rug was dry, just water in that little storage compartment. So I can't see how the rub rail would have let that water in especially since the rub rail issue is on the far side of the cab. One other idea is that the window hatch could have been left cracked and it dripped in, but as I mentioned the cushions were dry but I guess if it happened over the winter the water could have worked its way in, and the cushions could have dried. But again underneath the cushions there weren't water marks so the water definitely channeled into that storage area somehow. The other 2 storage areas were bone dry but the drain in those could have not been clogged so it could have easily been the same situation but drained out. It just didn't seem like there was any water damage so I'm stumped.

Any other ideas where this water may have come from? I searched the net for water in the storage area under a cuddy on other boat brands and read some people say they've had issues with the anchor storage in the very front of the boat which is accessible from the top front of the boat, but i'm not sure since the storage that had the water in it is at a lower point in the boat.

If the drain hole wasn't clogged I would have never seen this, and the rest of the boat is dry inside so this one has me stumped. Anyone have any educated guesses? Guess I could also break out a hose and spray the heck out of the deck and see if the water pools, just not sure if that would be a good indicator but it should produce a similar result if there is an issue I'm thinking.

About the inspecting, I did as thorough a job as a regular joe with some mechanical skills and great forum searching skills possibly could. I tapped a bunch of areas inside with a screwdriver looking for soft spots, all seemed solid. I tapped the hull all around and didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. The boat was kept in the water 5 months a year all its life but I'm not overly worried since it was painted and tapping around it all felt decent. Am I a surveyor and could I easily have not heard the right sounds, yup, but it isn't one of my concerns.

Engine bay and engine itself on this boat is super clean for a salt water boat. Looks very well maintained for its age.

I am definitely planning a sea trial before purchasing to check and see how high the RPM's go, how the temperature maintains itself, revving, shifting, idling, and everything else. The boat has been maintained and tuned by a mechanic so i'm thinking it is clean. I may have him do a compression check just to be sure it checks out after the sea trial is good.

Considered having a surveyor get involved but I'm sort of at a cross road where I would wing it and take a chance if I can get some clarity on possible causes of the water in the cab issue. This particular boat is around the $10K range, and the surveyors are 2 to 3 weeks out so i'm either going to take a chance, or keep shopping. I'm not one to get my emotions mixed into the purchase so if my gut says keep walking I will. Just don't want to pass up this particular boat since its priced reasonably well, engine is near immaculate for a salt boat, and its been decently maintained all its life.

More feedback welcomed!!!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Rub Rail?Replace or Repair?

Morning Sir,
From your description, it seems as though you are covering all your bases, diligently and carefully...When it comes to boats, especially boats that are not "showroom new"...that is about the best any of us can hope to do...
You are correct in assuming that the issue with the water contained in that particular compartment may actually be a NON-issue...it can be very difficult to know exactly where and how that water got in there, but tell tale signs like mold rings and water marks, or the lack there of, are some good indicators to look for...
The rub rail is something that can easily be done by a DIY'er...the pictures don't tell the whole story, so I have a couple of questions...
Is the rubber insert the only part that is damaged?...
If, the rubber insert is the only damaged part, you can obtain a new one of the correct configuration and completely replace it...see the link I provided earlier and also do some shopping for prices and styles on the 'net'.
Is the aluminum "rail" actually damaged, also?...
If it is, you may be able to straighten it out enough to be salvaged, you might be able to find a replacement section, or you might have to replace the entire piece...again, some shopping and contacting of vendors would be the way to go...
If it is repairable/re-useable, you can re-attach it with some new Stainless Steel screws, coated with a high quality marine sealant, like 3M 5200 or 4200, and use the same material to seal the edges of the rail back to the hull, then re-install the rubber insert...
During the sea trial, not only check the performance overall of the engine/driveline, but also all of the mechanical and electrical sub-systems...even if you should find some minor problems, consider them negotiating tools...
Best of luck and keep us "in the loop"...

 

[HFR]

I'm restoring a 1967 Holiday, the rub rail is shot, need to replace it..After many hours on the internet I've come to the conclusion that profile is no longer available. Now I have to improvise. Any ideas? Where the deck and hull join there is a 3/4 inch flange that's pop-riveted together. the old rail is vinyl I think, probably flexible, it was screwed in from the bottom of the rail, broke off in one foot chunks! Any one know where I can get it or have any advice on hoe to Magyver a replacement?

 

[HFR]

I'm restoring a 1967 Holiday, the rub rail is shot, need to replace it..After many hours on the internet I've come to the conclusion that profile is no longer available. Now I have to improvise. Any ideas? Where the deck and hull join there is a 3/4 inch flange that's pop-riveted together. the old rail is vinyl I think, probably flexible, it was screwed in from the bottom of the rail, broke off in one foot chunks! Any one know where I can get it or have any advice on hoe to Magyver a replacement?

 

[jbcurt00]

I'm restoring a 1967 Holiday, the rub rail is shot, need to replace it..After many hours on the internet I've come to the conclusion that profile is no longer available. Now I have to improvise. Any ideas? Where the deck and hull join there is a 3/4 inch flange that's pop-riveted together. the old rail is vinyl I think, probably flexible, it was screwed in from the bottom of the rail, broke off in one foot chunks! Any one know where I can get it or have any advice on hoe to Magyver a replacement?

This thread is over a year dormant. Any thread that's been inactive for 90days or more should be considered for research like a library book, and best not to be written in.

Start a thread for YOUR Holiday, and you'll get lots of help. An aluminum Starcraft Holiday? This thread is for a Rinker fiberglass boat, and is likely a significantly different rub rail channel & insert. Looking to replace the rub rail channel, the vinyl insert or both?