If you’re ready to increase the value and appearance of your boat, you must be installing new TACO Rub Rail! Check out these steps for how to replace Flexible Vinyl Rub Rail.
Tools & Supplies Needed
- Rub Rail
- Insert (if applicable)
- Stainless steel screws
- Marine-grade silicone sealant
- Safety goggles
- Tape measure
- Masking tape
- Pen or pencil
- Variable speed drill
- Drill bits
- Caulking gun
- Hack saw
- Heat gun
TACO Pro Tips
- To ensure a straight and consistent installation when installing Flexible Vinyl Rub Rail, it is best to stretch the Rub Rail during the installation process. Two people make this job much easier!
- With Flexible Vinyl Rub rail, the opening for the insert and fasteners may be narrower than the screw head. During installation, have something handy that can spread the opening until the screw head has passed the front opening.
- Use caution! The drill chuck can damage the Rub Rail if it touches during the drilling of holes.
- Be careful not to over-tighten the screws or the Rub Rail will pucker (aka wrinkle or dimple).
- To avoid insert shrinkage, always screw down each end of flexible insert at the transom where the end cap will cover. The screws will be hidden from view once you install the end caps.
Installation Instructions
- Place masking tape above or below where the Rub Rail will go. Mark where the new holes are going to be located, or mark where the filled holes are so as to avoid them. Space the holes a maximum of 6"apart. Note: This should be the first step in all Rub Rail installations.
- Mark the midpoint of the Rub Rail with a piece of masking tape and soak the Flexible Rub Rail in a tub of hot water (maximum 120˚F) or gentle set it outside in the sun on the grass or pavement. Note: Avoid sliding or dragging the Rub Rail on the pavement, as it will scratch. Either process should take at least 20 minutes to properly heat the Rub Rail.
- Once the Rub Rail is hot to the touch, lay it out along the gunnel of the boat with the tape mark at the bow.
- Starting at the bow, put the Rub Rail in position. Beginning three inches to one side of the bow, drill two holes about two inches apart through the Rub Rail into the hull with a drill bit smaller than the screw diameter. Use marine-grade silicone on the screw threads to create a water-tight seal and install two of the screws that come with the TACO Marine Rub Rail Kit. Note: All kits come with Truss-head screws except V11-3426, which comes with Oval-head screws.
- With the two fasteners installed at the bow, go to the stern and stretch the Rub Rail by pulling it from the bow toward the stern. Drill and install two screws at the stern position to anchor the Rub Rail. Note: This must be done while the Rub Rail remains warm and pliable. Use marine-grade silicone on the screw threads to create a water-tight seal.
- Quickly do the same stretching and fastening procedure on the opposite side.
- Go back to the bow and begin drilling the holes through the Rub Rail into the hull using the reference marks on the masking tape. (Try to find the exact center of the Rub Rail when using V11-3426). Put marine-grade silicon on the threads and install the screws. Note: Do not over tighten the screws. Stop tightening once the Rub Rail touches the hull.
- When going around the transom, heat about six inches of the Rub Rail with a heat gun until hot to the touch, and using a pulling motion, stretch it around the corner and install a screw after the corner. Do the same on the other corner. When bringing the two ends across the transom to meet in the middle, it is not recommended to stretch the Rub Rail. Install one side and trim at the center, then bring the other side and trim it so it butts up against the end of the first side you installed. Install a screw within one inch on either side of the seam. Note: Use a heat gun to gently bend around tight corners.
- Repeat the process until the entire Rub Rail has been installed.
- To install the insert, it must be warm and pliable. Starting 12 inches from the seam at the stern, squeeze the insert between your fingers and push it into the channel until you have gone around the boat and are back where you started. Try to push extra insert into the channel at the transom. It may be helpful to use a rubber mallet when installing the insert.
To help better understand this process, we have several videos on how to install Rub Rail below.
TACO Marine Step-by-Step Instructions for How To Install SuproFlex Rub Rail
TACO Marine Installing NEW Rub Rail with Capt. Mark Henderson
Cómo Instalar el Cinton SuproFlex de TACO Marine
Installing New TACO Rub Rail on a Classic Mako 228
Installing TACO Rub Rail onboard the Reef Runner Battle Breast Cancer Boat
For questions about replacing the Rub Rail on your boat, comment on this blog below or contact our Technical Support experts today. Don’t forget to check out our printable Rub Rail instruction manuals, which can be found here.
