Rub Rail Leak

[HappyPlace]

I have a tiny leak in the cave that appears to be coming from a screw holding the rub rail on the port side, where the gunwale water drains off the ledge. I currently have some white vinyl in place to redirect the flow, temporarily abating the issue.

Should I:

a) remove the single screw and put some marine caulk on it, then reinsert?
b) remove the single screw and put some 3M 5200 on it, then reinsert?
c) wait to remove the entire section of rub rail when pulled for the winter and perform (a) or (b)?
d) other suggestions or recommendation?

Any advice is always appreciated!

Al Sr.

 

[knotflying]

As a first course of action I would use Lifeseal. Remove the screw and then apply a generous amount on all the threads and screw it back in. I would not use anything as permanent as 5200. If you have to take the screw out later to address the issue further you will have problems removing it.

 

[DBBRanger]

Al,

I had a leak in the forward cabin that was rub rail related. It turned out to be leakage from pin holes in the fiberglass between the ledge and the ceiling - it only leaked with very hard and long rain showers. I removed the entire rub rail on the outside (both the metal and the plastic backing) and resealed the screws that were behind the rub rail and the screws that held the rub rail on. Apparently, the water was getting into the fiberglass at the joint screw holes and flowed down through it until it exited at a pinhole in the surface of the fiberglass. It wasn't obvious that that was the cause, but my solution seemed to work. After a couple of years, it has continued to stay dry. I agree with Knotflying - use Lifeseal.

 

[HappyPlace]

Thank you all!

 

[Dale777]

HappyPlace,

In case the leak is not coming from the rub rail, consider a leak coming from the courtesy lights on the cabin's exterior just above the gunwales. See this link for a discussion of that issue:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4752&p=34616&hilit=caulk#p34616

 

[Stevan47]

Hi guys: out of curiosity I was just reading your responses and I thought you may also have some advice for my situation. As you may know, my R21-EC has black rubber strakes on both sides, running from f'rd to 'aft. Screwed onto the outside of these strakes are stainless steel strips, being functional from a strength perspective and also pleasingly aesthetic. Looking from inside of the cabin I can see nyloc s/s nuts and washers, which presumably secure the rubber strakes to the hull with s/s bolts (?) I have not yet attempted to remove the stainless steel strips, however I am presuming they are secured to the rubber strakes with s/s self-tapping screws. The reason I ask this is because I have some slight seepage of water from the f'rd stbd region of the nuts and I think I may have to remove the s/s strip to access the rubber strake securing bolts. Am I on the right track here? Would appreciate your collective thoughts. Kind regards

 

[Krisnjamie]

hi folks, a question from a new guy here. in my brief, and far from a complete perusal of this section I have not noticed a lot of response from the factory addressing the questions posted. does the factory normally respond? cheers, kris

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Kris,

My opinion here only. The factory guys can chime in if they disagree. They do monitor the board and will respond if they feel their input is necessary. Typically this would be potential warranty issues, correct misinformation, or the issue is otherwise not getting resolved by the Tugnuts community. They have a lot on their plate and if the Tugnuts community can resolve an issue faster or without them getting involved they are good with that.