cost to install rub rail ??

[225Explor]

If I decide to have my marina replace the rubrail insert what is a ball park figure I should expect to pay to have it installed on my 225 Explorer ??  How many feet would be needed and what size is the insert ? Thanks, Mike

[icemanbryan]

Hey Mike, I did mine, Seabob helped me with the correct size.
We did it  last Spring (early)  had to use a heat gun to get it softer.
It took one of my workers most of the afternoon, again, we don't do this for a living, I am sure there are tricks.
Looked awesome once installed and finished up, still does.
It made a big difference.
Good luck with yours.

[RickK]

You can measure all the way around to get the length - add an extra foot for fudge factor.  We'll have to wait for Aaron to give us a ballpark from a marina perspective - maybe by PM.
You can price it out at West Marine and certainly get it a a surplus place although I would think that you won't be buying at surplus price but new since I would think that most surplus is long gone...

[CLM65]

The inserts come in 50' and 70' lengths.  My 205 took about 49'.  Your 225 will take a little more - the 70' length will do it.  I replaced mine last year and, like Bryan's, it still looks great.  Armed with a heat gun, this is not a difficult job.  An afternoon is about right if you want to tackle it yourself.

[gran398]

Agree with the boys. And not knocking marinas, everyone has to make a living. But...

With competent help this is a great DIY project, saving easy money.

[225Explor]

i'm just not looking forward to approaching the the area around the bow pulpit if i do it with a few friends.  one side has already popped out, been like that for 3 years now.  I was just wondering if its cost effective on my end having it done right professionally as I have never changed the rub rail on my 225 nor any other boat.  I have heat guns, i just dont want it to pop around the angle changes of the pulpit after all the work involved if i do it myself.  Can someone chime in on the size insert I would need ?  I assume its the original channel(white) and the rub rail insert in there now is a light gray color(not sure if the insert is original). My 225 Explorer is a 1995.  Thanks for all suggestions guys !! Mike

[seabob4]

Mike,
The gray the AS used is no longer available from Taco.  They only carry white and black now.  Craig re-did his 205 with the white, he says it looks good, so that's what I would run with.

Are you just considering putting in a new insert, or are you looking at swapping out the extrusion as well?

The key to installing the insert where the bow transitions to the pulpit is to not stretch the insert as your putting it in.  That's why inserts on Explorers/Ospreys "pull out" over the years.  When they were installed at the factory, we used special tools that compressed the hot insert as we were installing it.  Believe it or not, with a very hot insert (used to heat it with the same propane torch we shrink-wrapped boats with) properly lubed (Corrosion X was our favorite), I could install an insert on a 225 in about 45 seconds...no chit!  But when I got to the transition points, I made sure I pushed back on the insert to make sure it was fully relaxed in those areas.

[CLM65]

I think the problem in the pulpit area is the main reason people replace the inserts.  The installation process Bob described above seems to be the cause of it popping out - stretched during installation and a little shrinkage over time.

As far as color, it will be purely a matter of preference.  As Bob said, I used white.  Bryan used black.  I think both look pretty good.  Here are some links to help you make your choice:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9653&p=91176&hilit=white+taco+insert#p91176


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10598&p=103554&hilit=insert+black#p103554

[225Explor]

Hey Mike, I did mine, Seabob helped me with the correct size.
We did it  last Spring (early)  had to use a heat gun to get it softer.
It took one of my workers most of the afternoon, again, we don't do this for a living, I am sure there are tricks.
Looked awesome once installed and finished up, still does.
It made a big difference.
Good luck with yours.

Thanks !! on a side Bryan, one of the links provided in this thread shows the transom rod holders on your boat, what degree are those holders to make the rods straight when placed into them ?  derailing my own thread....lol thanks.