Rub Rail Installation SV HideAway

Hiking out HideAway Style?

Commonly known as a NRRS; New Rub Rail Snake, came coiled in an innocent looking cardboard box from Com Pac Yachts of Clearwater Fl.

New improved rub rail from Com Pac Yachts

The old rub rail succumbed to a fuel dock near Johns Pass. The incident involving  a large commercial fishing boat wake propelled by an excited tide racing for the Gulf of Mexico heaved the HideAways’ against the dock with far more enthusiasm than prudence permits.

The New Rub Rail Is Of Much Improved Quality

 The very thing that made installing it a most challenging affair.

Replacement rub rail on left is larger than OEM on right

Bow Plate does not fit new rub rail

The radius of the metal connector is too small to accommodate the new rub rail.

The only viable solution involved surgery and language unsuited for gentile ears.

New Rub Rail - Right - is larger and thicker

I removed the interior lower flanges on the new rub rail (right) and narrowed the distance from the hull by trimming the upper flanges.

I also trimmed the two "legs" to let the rub rail move closer to the hull and allow for clamping.

Clamp and Awl 

The trimmed end is best held in place by a good C clamp until you can find the correct alignment to slip the bolt through. Good luck with that. The awl worked well but it does take patience.

By the way,  I used a leather hole punch to install the holes in the rub rail. 

“Jist leave it in the sun for a piece  –

 It’ll stretch real easy”

Clamps Clamps and More Clamps Are Needed

Thus a simple two bolt project turned into two days of sweltering fun under a summer sun so hot that only a few moments’ exposure made metal tools too hot to handle without protection, not to mention the HideAways.

Now, about the port side…..

Small Boats Rock!

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