CONTINUOUSWAVE

My 1992 RAGE has a factory bow rail that extends back maybe two-thirds of the boat’s length. It has integral stanchions ending in a flat round stainless plate that is screwed with sheet metal screws into the top of the of the boat sides.

I think there are three screws. Many of the screws have backed themselves out a half-turn.

The screws are bleeding rust stains between the stanchion plate and the fiberglass top of the sides.

Some screws re-tighten, but many just spin.

I can’t imagine they are just screwed into the fiberglass glass.

There is no way to access the underside.

I haven’t pulled off the rail yet.

Q1: Is there a metal or wood backing plate under the fiberglass?

Q2: Is the fiberglass glass thick enough to hold a sheet metal screw?

Q3: What is causing all the rust stains?

You need to put epoxy in the holes and redrill to tighten. You can use a an adhesive like 4200 or 5200 but it may be hard to remove them in the future. The rust stains can be rust as SS is not rust proof, it is stainLESS so when water gets around them, they rust. It can also be from the foam under the fiberglass turning brown and staining the water. I am not sure if there is wood embedded on the gunwales of a Rage.

A1: To find out if or where there are embedded reinforcements in a hull made by Boston Whaler, contact Boston Whaler and ask for the embedded wood locating diagram for the particular model, year, and length boat.

A2: Boston Whaler boats just about NEVER rely on a screw fastener to only obtain purchase in a thin laminate layer. Any screw fastener that is involved in mounting a railing will be fastened into reinforcement material.

For repair advice specific to loose rail fasteners, see the answer to this frequently-asked question in the FAQ article in the REFERENCE section.

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