80's Champion Rub Rail Removal

[ChampionCooper]

My thinking is that I want to remove my rub rail so that when I wet sand and polish with buffer it will be a whole lot easier and get better coverage.

I did pull back the rope insert at the back of the transom and notice that the rub rail had rivet holding it down. So my question is has anyone removed the rub rail? If so, was it a pain in the butt? Can the same rub rail be re-installed after polihing is complete? Do you just drill out the rivet and punch the rest of the rivet thro the hull? Do you replace the rivets with countersink SS woodscrews? Do you know where I can find the replacement rope insert? Mine is flattened out after 22 yrs.

Well I know there is a lot of questions but any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Cooper

[ssimpala71]

I had mine off on my 84 184 when restoring. Mine has a rubber insert so I was able to reuse it. After removing the insert, just drill out the rivets and knock the remainder into the hull. (if possible youll want to get them out of the bilge so they wont get caught into the bilge pump). Then remove the aluminum trim. Reassembly can be done either with rivets or screws. I used 3/4 inch reach rivets-I think they hold better than screws.