BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Ensure the length of the rub rail is sufficient for your boat. It is always better to buy more than you need.
Make sure to purchase all the materials needed (rub rail, insert, fasteners, end caps, splice caps, etc.) to complete the job.
Carefully read all the instructions before beginning and/or watch a TACO rub rail replacement video on our YouTube channel here.

MEASURING YOUR BOAT

Measure the length and width of your boat.
Add them together and multiply by two.
The total will give you the minimum length of rub rail required for your boat in feet.

TACO rub rail and insert
Measuring tape
Safety goggles
Two cordless drills (one for a screwdriver bit and one for a drill bit)
Putty knife or scraper
Caulking gun with silicone
Marine-grade sealant or a tube of 3M 4200
Metal file
Heat gun (for rigid vinyl rub rail and flexible inserts)
Garden shears (for cutting flexible vinyl rub rail and inserts)
or hacksaw/power saw and cutoff wheel (for cutting stainless steel overlaps)
Miter box (for metal and rigid vinyl rub rail)
Rubber mallet
Fasteners
End caps and dive door caps (if applicable)

Remove the end caps
Remove the insert and the stiffening strip if there is one
Remove the screws or rivets that attach the rub rail to the hull. If the rub rail is fastened with pop rivets, drill out the rivet head and push the shaft in, to prevent rattling
Remove the rub rail
Use a putty knife to scrape off any old sealant, being careful not to scratch the gelcoat (it is unnecessary to remove all the old sealant,
just the excess)
Fill all holes with sealant/3M 4200 (you will be drilling new holes for the new rub rail)
Let the sealant cure according to the manufacturers suggestions

Visit our Rub Rail Product Knowledge page for tips on installing Rub Rail.