Banged Up RubRail

feb · 08-12-2020, 01:09 PM

I have what I suspect is the common rubber rubrail held in place with a soft metal edging on both sides. During last weeks TS, it got beat up a bit and the soft metal got some dings in it from hitting my pipe dock. Some sections will catch your finger if you brush up against it. Anyone know if its possible to file down the sharp parts, not too worried about cosmetics, just dont want anyone catching a finger on it or some clothing.

8gv · 08-12-2020, 01:41 PM

It sounds like you have nothing to loose by trying to file it smooth.

If that doesn't work out the boat manufacturer can tell you who made the rub rail.

Taco Marine makes several of them.

You may recognize yours on their site.

Descant · 08-12-2020, 02:00 PM

I think this is a common enough occurrence that many marinas carry replacement rubrail parts, at least for the brands they sell. The metal rail is often attached with rivets, so you may need a pop rivet gun to replace a section. Cheap hand tool.

DickR · 08-12-2020, 02:10 PM

What happens on mine more typically is that the back corner rides up and down on the edge of the dock in boat wakes as people are getting aboard, dislodging the rubber insert from the aluminum base. To fix that I first insert the lower edge of the rubber, which can't be seen from inside the boat, into the lower edge of the slot, then take a wide blade screwdriver or something similar (even a large coin, like a quarter) and press the upper edge of the rubber into the slot, working my way down until everything is back in place.

As for the sharp dings in the aluminum base, yes, just file them smooth for safety. As long as you have the rubber inserted securely you're fine. If the base got banged up so far out of shape that it won't hold the rubber in place, that's another story.

08-12-2020, 01:09 PM	#1
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 210 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Banged Up RubRail I have what I suspect is the common rubber rubrail held in place with a soft metal edging on both sides. During last weeks TS, it got beat up a bit and the soft metal got some dings in it from hitting my pipe dock. Some sections will catch your finger if you brush up against it. Anyone know if its possible to file down the sharp parts, not too worried about cosmetics, just dont want anyone catching a finger on it or some clothing.

08-12-2020, 02:00 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,182 Thanks: 1,273 Thanked 1,567 Times in 1,017 Posts	common problem I think this is a common enough occurrence that many marinas carry replacement rubrail parts, at least for the brands they sell. The metal rail is often attached with rivets, so you may need a pop rivet gun to replace a section. Cheap hand tool.

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08-12-2020, 01:41 PM	#2
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,052 Thanks: 63 Thanked 715 Times in 466 Posts	It sounds like you have nothing to loose by trying to file it smooth. If that doesn't work out the boat manufacturer can tell you who made the rub rail. Taco Marine makes several of them. You may recognize yours on their site.

08-12-2020, 02:10 PM	#4
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 741 Thanks: 4 Thanked 257 Times in 169 Posts	What happens on mine more typically is that the back corner rides up and down on the edge of the dock in boat wakes as people are getting aboard, dislodging the rubber insert from the aluminum base. To fix that I first insert the lower edge of the rubber, which can't be seen from inside the boat, into the lower edge of the slot, then take a wide blade screwdriver or something similar (even a large coin, like a quarter) and press the upper edge of the rubber into the slot, working my way down until everything is back in place. As for the sharp dings in the aluminum base, yes, just file them smooth for safety. As long as you have the rubber inserted securely you're fine. If the base got banged up so far out of shape that it won't hold the rubber in place, that's another story.