bwhicker649

I picked up my first boat last fall. Its an 87 242 ls 330hp alpha. I love the boat and have been vary happy with it but have found something that needs to be addressed. On the port side in about the middle there is ruffly a 2 - 3ft section where the hull meets the top under the rub rail it seams to have come unbonded. If i push on the side it bows in away from the rub rail about a half an inch or so. It looks like there are screws that go threw the rub rail into it but have been pulled out. I did some research and it looks like the tops were glued on. My question is, how serious of a problem is this and what would be the best way to go about repairing it? Thanks in advance for any and all input it will be much appreciated.

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88242LS

boat looks great love the 242's

bwhicker649

Thanks a bunch. It took a lot of tlc to get it back to that shape but all in all I am amazed at how well it has held up over the passed 24yrs but thats a formula for ya!

sprink58

I have seen this on a few Sea Rays...but not a Formula.

I had this situation on a 40' Sea Ray EC. I removed the rub rail and put in new stainless screws in new locations offset from the original. Before I tightened the screws down I ran a bead of 3M 5200 in the gap. I then ran the screws down tight and wiped off the excess 5200. After I was satisfied with the result I re-attached the rub rail. Make sure you remove the excess 5200 quickly because once it dries ...you need a stick of dynamite to get it off!!

This made a bond that was stronger than the original for sure.

This is a minor repair that you need to address...it could develop into some stress cracks or spider webs later. That area is especially vulnerable to damage if you bump a piling hard enough while docking.

Do it now while it's not a big deal.

Love your boat...hanging in there for a 25 year old!!

fossil fuel

See thread above

endeavour32

iTrader: (4)

Do what Sprink said but also use some backing plates on the screws that are under the rub rail. This with make it very secure and it will not happen again! I think the screws should be around a 1/4" pan head if I remember right.

oldscoolscarab

After seeing this- I went in the garage to see my new to me 311 sr1 and the bond is gone on about 1/2 of the boat !!! It's an 89 but wonder how long this has been an issue. Guess I have my work cut out for me come spring

86242ls

iTrader: (4)

Same exact boat as mine minus the ugly side hull windows and you have the rounded windshield!! nice boat!

OPIE272

Removing rub rail and securing the upper deck to hull with 5200 is a good start. But when installing the screws thru the upper deck and hull sides use stainless bolts and nuts with backing plates. Then when installing the rub rail I installed 10 foot 1/8 thick strips drilled to match rub rails.
I was amazed on how much difference I felt in rough water. Fewer shakes and rattles and an over-all more solid feel to the boat.

PhantomChaos

There is talk about using 5200 on the hull/deck bond in this thread. It's not recommended. Look around post 150-ish

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...ml#post3326384