New rub rail needed on an old boat

[wickedrister]

My rub-rail is ugly ugly ugly. It has turned about 3 colors and is also hard as a rock. I want to replace it but don't know how to go about doing it. I need some tips. Thanks !!

[Taz]

Call Checkmate direct 419-562-3881 . Ask for the parts Dept. I have had good luck getting original parts right from Checkmate.

[Mark]

Go to any local shop that builds boat tops. The 7/8" aluminum tube they use is the same as your bow rail. It will cost you a fraction of having 2 lengths shipped from elsewhere. Cut it to exact length and just arc it into place as you install it. No need to pre-bend it.

[cooperider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mark:
Go to any local shop that builds boat tops. The 7/8" aluminum tube they use is the same as your bow rail. It will cost you a fraction of having 2 lengths shipped from elsewhere. Cut it to exact length and just arc it into place as you install it. No need to pre-bend it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think he wants the rub rail not the hand rail, but you did answer a question I had with that answer so thank you.

The rubrail can be shipped easily from Checkmate but the handrails are best either bought localy or if you happen to be near the factory picked up there cause long stuff like that is a pain to ship.

Now when you replace the rubrail soak it in hot water so its nice and soft. It will slip into place very easily.

Have fun. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[Mark]

Thanks Coop, I stand corrected, I was thinking bow rails.

[wickedrister]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif I think that once the old rubber is removed I can install the new rubber A-OK. My problem is how do I remove the 20 year old rubber that has turned "rock hard" and not do damage to the alloy mounting track. Cutting the old rubber down the center with a cut off wheel may be one option. Keeping in mind not to cut so deep that I damage track's mounting points. I think that will work ok, what do yall think ?

[cooperider]

Yes that should work. If you start to see metal shavings lift up a bit on the tool.

[wickedrister]

http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif THANKS FOR THE HELP YALL http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif

[175checkmate]

I had good luck getting mine out with a thin flat head screw driver, a heat gun, and a bit of WD40. came right out.

[wickedrister]

Gotter Done....The old rubber came out just fine and the new one went in OK as well. I cleaned the track with a wire brush and vacumed out the loose junk. I also painted the track with dish washing liquid as I went along. While keeping the top side pushed in the groove I just pressed the bottom side into the track inch by inch with a flat blade screwdriver. Finally I seated the new rubrail with a rubber hammer and reinstalled the end caps. Working in the hot sun was a good thing. I think it made the rub rail much softer and easy to work with. Thanks for the help, Yall are the best http://www.checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/thumb.gif