Dried rubber bumper (Rub Rail) on E27

[ibarreto]

I have a 1975 E27 and I wonder how to restore the dried white rub rail around the hull. It's chalky and releases a white powder. Is there any way to restore it?
thanks
Ignacio Barreto

 

[G Kiba]

I actually did a light sanding, washed and paint (Pettit Topsides). It's not permanent but looked good for years and not chalk on the back of your legs!

 

[Jerry VB]

The best way is to buy a new rubber insert from Wefco. I replaced mine in 2015 for $278. I did not note how many feet I bought, probably 70 (more than I needed, but I did NOT want to run short). I called the number (below) and the person who answered was very helpful.

It was not difficult to replace. I worked from the deck; putting the lower "lip" into the channel and then pushing down with a plastic tool to pop the top lip into the channel (you can do it by hand, but your hand will get sore).

Wefco 1-818-886-8872
NB: The Wefco catalog has a die number index in the back

• Rub Rail - Die Number 4107 (page 2, bottom row)
• Window channel - Die Number 2154 (2016 catalog page A29)
• Window Filler - Die Number 1256 (2016 catalog page 50)

 

[ibarreto]

I actually did a light sanding, washed and paint (Pettit Topsides). It's not permanent but looked good for years and not chalk on the back of your legs!

Thanks G Kiba! That's a quick fix!

 

[ibarreto]

The best way is to buy a new rubber insert from Wefco. I replaced mine in 2015 for $278. I did not note how many feet I bought, probably 70 (more than I needed, but I did NOT want to run short). I called the number (below) and the person who answered was very helpful.

It was not difficult to replace. I worked from the deck; putting the lower "lip" into the channel and then pushing down with a plastic tool to pop the top lip into the channel (you can do it by hand, but your hand will get sore).

Wefco 1-818-886-8872
NB: The Wefco catalog has a die number index in the back

• Rub Rail - Die Number 4107 (page 2, bottom row)
• Window channel - Die Number 2154 (2016 catalog page A29)
• Window Filler - Die Number 1256 (2016 catalog page 50)

Thanks a lot Jerry! That's very good information, appreciate it. Do you know if the E27 and E32 use the same 4107 model?

 

[Jerry VB]

Thanks a lot Jerry! That's very good information, appreciate it. Do you know if the E27 and E32 use the same 4107 model?

That was the E27, my previous boat.

 

[Second Star]

I did the paint route myself. A good rub down with acetone prepped the surface and then I used latex paint to bond with the rubber. Like others have reported it was quick and worked well for a couple of summers

 

[toddster]

Once you get the rubber out of the channel, you may find that many of the screws holding the extrusion to the hull-deck joint are loose, stripped, or pin-point penetrating all the way through the hull. It may take a day or two to figure out what to do about this and effect a plan.

Anyway, back in 2012 or so, I replaced the rubber with the vinyl replacement offered by Catalina Direct. It seems like it shrank over time - I noticed the end pulled out from under the end cap. Then sometime last winter, the whole strip vanished. Laying at the bottom of the river I guess. Just fell out? I dunno...

 

[Kevin A Wright]

I replaced the rail in my 1977 E27 with the Wefco rubber moulding years ago. Worked great but I recommend to do it on a hot sunny day so the rubber is more pliable and to use some dishsoap and water to help it slide in. I just made a thin wooden wedge to pop the top lip into the aluminum channel and a bump with a rubber mallet to seat it. Also took the time to rebed all the screws holding the channel on as some of them had started leaking.

Kevin Wright
E35 Hydro Therapy

 

[Spoondude]

The best way is to buy a new rubber insert from Wefco. I replaced mine in 2015 for $278. I did not note how many feet I bought, probably 70 (more than I needed, but I did NOT want to run short). I called the number (below) and the person who answered was very helpful.

It was not difficult to replace. I worked from the deck; putting the lower "lip" into the channel and then pushing down with a plastic tool to pop the top lip into the channel (you can do it by hand, but your hand will get sore).

Wefco 1-818-886-8872
NB: The Wefco catalog has a die number index in the back

• Rub Rail - Die Number 4107 (page 2, bottom row)
• Window channel - Die Number 2154 (2016 catalog page A29)
• Window Filler - Die Number 1256 (2016 catalog page 50)

Thanks Jerry phone help was terrific and useful.