Rub Rail Screw Repair on Z18

[jmzubris]

Hello Everone,

I've been actively fishing and competing out of a 2020 Z18 the last few years. In that time I regularly notice my rub rail screws are backing out and pertruding the rub rail itself. This happens on varying conditions, weather being slick calm with the occasional boat wake, to more choppy environments. I am always operating the boat in a safe manner, keeping in mind the conditions and never abusing the hull. However, there always appers to be several screws that have backed out and are begging to remove the rub rail. Is this occuring with anyone else with a 2020 Z18 or similar year, make, and model? Any reccomendations on handling this issue?

Thank you!

 

[Larry Williams]

Hello Everone,

I've been actively fishing and competing out of a 2020 Z18 the last few years. In that time I regularly notice my rub rail screws are backing out and pertruding the rub rail itself. This happens on varying conditions, weather being slick calm with the occasional boat wake, to more choppy environments. I am always operating the boat in a safe manner, keeping in mind the conditions and never abusing the hull. However, there always appers to be several screws that have backed out and are begging to remove the rub rail. Is this occuring with anyone else with a 2020 Z18 or similar year, make, and model? Any reccomendations on handling this issue?

Thank you!

I can say that I've not seen or heard this problem before now...
Let us know what happens with this..
Thanks!

 

[Sarge442]

I can say that I've not seen or heard this problem before now...
Let us know what happens with this..
Thanks!

Are the screw holes stripped out? I've never looked inside the but stainless phillips, flathead, machine screws and self locking nuts are an option. Also Locktite might be what you're looking for.

https://a.co/d/8j3D2nY

https://a.co/d/f8Wjpvn

https://a.co/d/h4mQF10

 

[Pat Dilling]

I have had this happen on an older Ranger, Triton and Stratos boats. So far, not on my 2021 Nitro. My solution on the previous boats was to back the screws out and coat them with marine grade silicon, then tighten them back up. This fix usually took care of it. I was given advice on this from a local boat dealer/repair place.

 

[Sarge442]

I have had this happen on an older Ranger, Triton and Stratos boats. So far, not on my 2021 Nitro. My solution on the previous boats was to back the screws out and coat them with marine grade silicon, then tighten them back up. This fix usually took care of it. I was given advice on this from a local boat dealer/repair place.

Just giving permanent fix advice.

 

[Sarge442]

Just giving permanent fix advice.

Why did you ask if you've dealt with it before and received dealer advice?

 

[Cyco]

Hello Everone,

I've been actively fishing and competing out of a 2020 Z18 the last few years. In that time I regularly notice my rub rail screws are backing out and pertruding the rub rail itself. This happens on varying conditions, weather being slick calm with the occasional boat wake, to more choppy environments. I am always operating the boat in a safe manner, keeping in mind the conditions and never abusing the hull. However, there always appers to be several screws that have backed out and are begging to remove the rub rail. Is this occuring with anyone else with a 2020 Z18 or similar year, make, and model? Any reccomendations on handling this issue?

Thank you!

Ive had same issue, seam no matter how tight i tried to secure screws they'd back out. I put a dab of silicon on screw and secure it.

 

[Pat Dilling]

Why did you ask if you've dealt with it before and received dealer advice?

I am not sure who your comment was directed to. I was responding to the original poster with a solution that worked for me. Your idea to change to machine screws may work in some parts of the boat, but there are places in most boats where you can't get behind the rub rail to install the lock nut.

 

[Joe Winkler]

I can say that I've not seen or heard this problem before now...
Let us know what happens with this..
Thanks!

I've never seen a bass boat not do it, I've owned 4 boats and they all do it. I have a 015, Z9 that has 20 or so pushing bumps on the rob rail now. Simple fix, just check if the screw will snug back in and not just spin. If they spin drill a very small hole beside the stripped one, and put in a dab of silicone in the hole before installing screw in the new hole. And if the screw will snug back in the old hole? Simply squirter a dab of silicone in the hole before installing the screw. Do all the screws loose or not, huge tip there. More will come loose next season if you don't.