Rub rail always coming loose!?
 

My rub rail I'm tightening up two or three times a year. Used lock tight, didn't work. Put a little bigger stainless screws in it so it would be tighter still comes loose. Anyone else have this problem? What have you done?

Can you gain acesss to the back side and thru bolt it?

I don't know, but I wil check it out. Thanks!

By bigger screws, do you mean longer???

I suspect the threads are getting loose from the vibration and retightening. Pull the screws out and put a little 5200 on the threads and then screw them back in.

Never heard of 5200 where do you get it? I did put bigger screws in. Thanks Dan.

It is made by 3M and any Marine store should have it

Had similar problems in the past. Use larger and course thread screws, dip it in silicone caulk and that will stop the viboration, and getting them lose. If you can get some rubber/sst washers with the screws that will also help.

I had the same problem with a Donzi Z25 that I had. The hull and the top deck were joined together using the same screws that held on the rub rail on. I guess the boat flexed enough during running that the screws constantly came loose. The 5200 might help, would be better to through bolt it where you can.

Like was said, 3M 5200. Its a high strength marine adhesive caulk. I've used it on some snap screws and they never came loose again. Any Marine store should have it.

Through bolting with some nyloc nuts would be great, but a LOT more work and I doubt you can get to the backs of all the screws.

thru-bolt and backing plate wherever possible- good luck-jeff

My Scarab would do it also on it aluminum rub rail, I ve used tooth picks or 16 gage wire to tighten up the holes. also use the caulk/silicone to keep em from backing out

Thanks Strip!

also on the bigger screws, I bought a countersink bit so the head wouldnt stick up as bad.made the flusher.

Cheap 3M 5200
 

You can get 3M 5200 at Home Depot. Also if you never ever plan on taking those screws out ever again Loctite "Power Grab" will work.
Of the two the 5200 is easier to get the screws out at a later date.:p

hey paradox i have been trying to get hold of you did you get the boat finished i talked to you about your infinity and you could possibly take my liberator off my hands.

5200 was made by God herself..........it works and holda everything in the Universe together! Without it, there would be a breach in the space-time continuum.

I'm just going to get a new rub rail for the Nova. It has the factory one on it. Aluminum with a black rubber piece in the middle. I want to get a solid black one, which size and which one?