353 with separating rub rail. (repair)
 

I finally finished my bottom repair and I am now moving to the rub rail repair while I wait for one more fix on a stringer that I missed. I am going to hire a pro to do that work because I feel that is far to important to do myself.

The rub rail on the port side was very loose from about the corner of the windshield all the way up to the end of that section. I took off that entire section (easy), cleaned the surface, removed the bolts that hold the hull halves together and started to clean out the plexus. In my case the cleaning out the plexus is easy. There is almost zero adhesion and it is popping right off. The only issue I have had so far is trying to get the panels off on the inside. It was late in the evening when I got to that point so I took a pass. Once I have that figured out I think this job can be done (at least in my case because the plexus is so easy to remove) in about a weekend or two with two people. It took me about 2 hours to pull the rub rail, and clean about 15 or so feet between them. The only issue I have is that there are a number of screws that are broken off and I need/want to get them out. I am hoping that when I get the inside panel off I will be able to grab them with vice grips and take them out from the inside. If not I will have to come up with something to get it out on the outside. There are about 6 of them that are broken off.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f557d336e0.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e1cb8866b8.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...32884c6c10.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...34e54760ff.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...277fbdd7de.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3d9bc903b5.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5d254bedec.jpg

Does anyone know how to get this panel off? Not only will it give me access to the bolts behind it but it will also allow me to get rid of this pattern. It makes me sick to my stomach.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...24b8bc16f6.jpg

I want to say this is clearly not the fault of Plexus. This seems to be that it takes them to long to put the hull and all the screws together. The reason that I say this is that you can see on the pieces of plexus that come out that it is flat on one side. The other side is not flat at all. IMO this means that by the time they got to tightening down the screws to much time had passed and the bond could not be made. Plexus is a great product but it is very particular in how it is used. You really need to work with in the confines of its design. I am guessing on these earlier boats Formula was still leaning? At any rate like I said on the plus side it is so poorly installed that it is very easy to remove.

wow, that is an awful whatever color/pattern that is.

You ain't kidding!

I would protect the existing paint with a few layers of blue 2" tape. Then drape the paint with paper so nothing gets on the paint. We used a plunge cutter (fein tool) or now everyone makes one. Bent a 2" blade slightly in a u shape. Then it was easy to clean the inside lip of the deck. Remember not to over squeeze the plexus, it needs a bit of material to complete the bond. Its really not that tough of a job. Getting the rub rail back on is sometimes the hardest part. It tends to shrink when pulled off the boat.......Good Job

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...05c376243e.png

Fossil, did you remove the inside panels? If so how do they come out? I took a quick look at it but could not see how. I popped the speaker out but that did not show me anything but that the speaker wires are short and fell to god only knows were ! LOL. I am going to pull the lights next but it does not seem like that is the way in there. Hope so!!!

the speaker soffit is a little different in a 382, If I remember correctly there were 2 tiny screws that held the panel in place that covers the entire bottom of where the speakers are mounted. This would be the white panel about 4" wide and 4' long. The colorful panel in the pics may come off? Behind the head and the helm was challenging.. The TV also was on the port side so there was some access there. Remember these interiors are mostly completed before the deck is installed. So at some point someone had to reach in there to install the nuts on the bolts. I do remember using lots of band aids on my hands and arms.........Wish I was closer I would come over to help..

I was hoping to be able to take a good look at the panels inside today but my son has to get his football gear at 5. Crap! The plan for now is start with removing the lights. After that I may have to go mid-evil on it! LOL. Not like I am going to put that but ugly thing back in there!