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The rub rail on my 1977 Montauk 17 has come loose in a couple spots. It is still mostly intact.

Is there a way to replace those bad rivets without removing the whole rub rail?
If not, how do I remove the rub rail? Do I just take out the screw at the stern and just start pulling?

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Scott,
Hold on for some expert advice. I am pretty sure I've read where you can drill out those bad rivets, fill with 5200 and re-drill new. I think it's not unusual to have to do this when replacing rub rail.

Check out this thread using search function. Several threads on rub rail rivet / screw techniques.

http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ost_111958

Doug

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You may get lucky and drill out the rivets (if they do not spin like crazy on you) and fill the void/hole with an injection system or paste. Drill and screw back in place. If a bow in the rail, clamp tight/push tight before screwing in place. You might very well damage the navigation light's wire while repairing.

Me, I would figure time to replace the rub rail. You really want to repair/fill all the old holes and seal correctly. When the rub rail is off replace the navigation light's wire. Just start on one end and remove. When I drilled out my old rivets (before pulling off the old rub rail) I left the remnants intact below surface and used that as backing for my "Splash Zone" filler. I prefer screws to rivets when replacing. The occasional time my new screw hole was by an old rivet area, no issues.

Garris

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Thanks for the replies.

I am still wondering about how big a job to just replace one or two rivets. Is it something I can do on the lift, or do I need to pull the boat out on to the trailer? (I don't even keep the trailer nearby, due to lack of parking.)

I am worried what happens when I pull out the rubber part out of its track. How easy is it to get back in its track?

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I can only speak for the rub rail for a 22' 1979 Revenge (same as Outrages of the era). I would need to see the job but would not work on that area of the boat unless on dry ground and steady. Hot day for installing the rub rail with some help, strong fingers, rubber mallet.

Garris

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If you are going to replace a few rivets and they spin on you all you have to do is take a pin punch with the same diameter as the rivet diameter and tap the rivet into the hull. The you can either go to a larger diameter rivet or fill the hole, redrill and install original sized rivet. Good luck.

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You seriously want to do this on the ground. I would be afraid the black insert might have gotten really stiff with age. You might be better off replacing it.