Towing without gunnel strip on?

[cyclone18]

Hey crew, I have to remove my gunnel strip and insert on my Vlx as it's going to be vinyl wrapped this week, the guy doing the wrap has said it will be a much nicer job if I take the gunnel rubber off and that way he can get the join under the strip instead of having joins on show. My question is I will have to tow my boat down to his shop which is about 20km (12 miles) from my work, will it be ok to tow the boat without the gunnel strip on? Thanks

[Pistol Pete]

I think you're fine.

[mkpursehouse]

Sorry, I dont have an answer for that. But would love to see before & after pics & know what the wrap cost to get done. Thanks in advance

[cyclone18]

Sorry, I dont have an answer for that. But would love to see before & after pics & know what the wrap cost to get done. Thanks in advance

No worries, I'll be sure to get before & after shots!

[saidainc]

Cost?

[Bill_AirJunky]

My first thought is your fine. But I only know very little about boat construction. I think I've read where it's a "shoebox" method where the top deck is placed on top of the hull. Then the rub rail is attached with screws which go thru the rub rail, top deck & into the hull. I wonder if the screws actually hold the top deck down on the hull though. If so, removing them could cause a problem driving at freeway speeds or going over bumps. Assuming that is the case, it might be a good idea to replace some of those screws after you remove the rub rail..... like maybe 1/2 or 1/3 of them?

Lookin forward to seeing the before & after shots of the wrap.

[Pistol Pete]

I know even less about boats than Bill but, I think they epoxy the two halves of the shoebox together and the screws are just there to hold the rub rail mounting system in place and hide the seam.

If you're worried, could you tow it to the place and then take the rub rail off?

Edited June 29, 2014 by Pistol Pete

[TexasTexas95]

Take a look at the Malibu Factory tour on youtube where they walk you through the construction. They do mention the shoebox construction and also speak about gluing (epoxying) the halves together. Just to be sure, I'd take all but five or six out for peace of mind but like a few others said, you should be ok (when you roll up, just take em out). I have no idea about older construction of boats however. I do know on some boats those screws can actually all come out in case separation of the upper and lower hulls is needed. I saw that on the Supra/Moomba construction I think. I know it's not the same but I move around some sensitive equipment at work through some really really rough dirt roads In the middle of nowhere. We definitely use shipping brackets (they are tiny compared to the equipment were actually holding but with the little brackets, it's never been an issue.

Edited June 29, 2014 by TexasTexas95

[cyclone18]

Thanks for your input guys. I have been speaking with the local Malibu dealer and he confirmed its a shoe box fit and the screws being removed wont be a problem. his comment was "make sure you mark which spots the screws for the strip are otherwise it will look like swiss cheese" lol. @saidainc the cost will be roughly $1300 Supply & Fit. im going with Avery Supreme Wrap as I wanted the highest gloss I could to try and simulate gelcoat. im going with a light blue, as close as I could get to vapour blue. I cant wait to see how it turns out!

[cyclone18]

update: today I pulled the gunnel all off.. man what a job. 56,000 screws later and its off. I also removed the fuel tank breather, rear tow hooks and all the outlets for bilge & ballast. hopefully this allows the guys doing the wrap to get a much nicer go at it without cutting in around everything. will get some pics tomorrow and show you what I have done so far.