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Author	Topic:   Repairing Large Fastener Holes Under Rub Rail
mudmanh41	posted 02-05-2009 11:54 AM ET (US)         I have my rub rail off to repaint the inside of my Montauk. I have some fastener holes under the rub rail that are stripped and very large, the size of a dime. What is the best way to fix holes of this size? I work with epoxy and cabosil will that work. The last owner put non-skid over the [cockpit deck], [bulwarks] included.
dino54904	posted 02-05-2009 02:52 PM ET (US)             I have repaired holes like that by drilling them out so the edges are smooth and then coating an appropriate sized hardwood dowel with West System epoxy and filling the hole with this dowel. When it is dry, sand down the top surface and coat that raw wood with some more West System epoxy. Works perfect. Simply pushing marine putty or Marine Tex into the hole does not ensure that the entire hole will be filled and solid.
TransAm	posted 02-05-2009 03:08 PM ET (US)          If the hole will be covered, epoxy will work well. One technique I have used is to fill the hole with epoxy, lubricate the screw well with some type of spray grease, and embed the screw in the wet epoxy. When it dries, back the screw out and you have a nicely tapped screw hole. Re-install your rail.
Newtauk1	posted 02-05-2009 05:30 PM ET (US)             Chop up some fiberglass and mix with resin. Make a good mash and push it into the holes. Smooth with resin and filler.
weekendwarrior	posted 02-05-2009 08:22 PM ET (US)             I have had very good success repairing fastener holes by drilling them the size of yours then using a syringe to inject MarineTex-brand epoxy filler. Sand smooth and pre-drill the new fastener hole and you're set.
RLwhaler	posted 02-05-2009 11:38 PM ET (US)             Cabosil and resin will work just fine. If you have the correct gel coat matching to your boat, mix that with cabosil, a little hardener so that it will"kick", making a paste, then apply, sand, wet sand, then buff, lastly wax. That will work better. RL
jimh	posted 02-06-2009 08:34 AM ET (US)             Because the repair will be under the rub rail, it does not seem necessary to go to extra work to produce a cosmetically beautiful repair which will blend perfectly with the surround material. If you plan to install a new fastener in the same hole, using wood as a filler material may be a good solution. I find that epoxy makes excellent repairs.
HAPPYJIM	posted 02-06-2009 08:49 AM ET (US)             I fixed holes for my grab rail that were stripped out not quite dime sized but close. I used round tooth picks dipped in epoxy and inserted in the hole until I could fit no more in the hole. While still wet, I installed the screws. They have held very well after about a year of use.
TommyC	posted 02-06-2009 03:52 PM ET (US)             Cab-o-sil and epoxy will work fine. Try to avoid putting the screws/rivets in the same place when installing the new rubrail. (If you have a few in the repaired areas - no big deal!) Tommy

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