If you have any questions and/or material to contribute please drop a line to Scott McCulley.  

I have an 1984 Eagle. I have had it about 5 years.

Since one ama was leaking water when folded ( under 5 gallons - at least since 1994 ), I decided recently to check both and patch accordingly. Removal of the rubrails and patching when OK. Only the "water side-when folded" of each ama required patching. The patch was to remove any water damaged "lip/joint" , fill any void with epoxy, and cover harden epoxy with water-proof sealant. All patched areas (4-6 inches was largest) didn't extend past or interfere with rubrail - the goal was that the rubrail would cover the patches totally.

The plan was to use a sealant/adhesive to secure a cleaned (scrape the previous adhesive goo off both the ama lip and the rubrail) rubrail to the ama. The first step was to dry-fit the rubrail in place to verify everything .

Hence the problem.

The rubrails (both sides of each ama and both amas) was about 8 inches from the previous attachment point(s). Both ama rubrails were about the same amount short (no risk of wrong rubrail/ama). After holding constant tension on the rubrail while dry-fitting, the rubrail was about 5 inches short of the mark. After both holding tension and using a hair dryer to heat a small area prior to fitting, reduced the shortage only about 1/2 inch. Atferward (without tension or heat) the rubrails short fall was about 6 inches. The rubrail(s) were off about 24 hours without a major temperature (about mid 60-70 F) difference.

Any suggestions other than replacing both rubrails?

Chet Archer

email: clarcher@ins.gte.com ( work) or chet@4angels.com (home)