Help with Rub Rail Damage...

Hey gang...I am looking for a little input on how to fix some bow-related rub rail damage...in short my brother ran the bow of my boat into the trailer's bow roller (during pick up) pushing the rub rail up approximately 1/2 an inch and cracking a 1inch chunk off the bottom of the rub rail...exposing what looks to be the upper and bottom hull(s) seem (about a 1inch wide spot). When I knock the rub rail back down it wants to spring right back up out of position.

Since it's summer and I want to get back on the water I was thinking of either epoxy or silicon sealant to temporarily fix the issue and address it further in the winter...likely having to pull the entire rub rail off and replace, etc. My thinking is that as long as I seal the seem between the hulls well enough to not let water in it should not be much of an issue right? Maybe keep a close eye in the bow area for water intrusion further down the rub rail etc?

I am sure someone has had a similar issue or at least observed a similar issue. What options do I have and how seriously should I take this damage?

Thanks a ton!
Matt

pictures?

its purely cosmetic. If you're worried about taking water over/in the rub rail you must be dealing with some serious waves and riding a wakeboard would be impossible. I wouldn't even mess with epoxy on there. Just more stuff to clean out whenever you do it.

Heat the rub rail up with a hair dryer, then knock it down into position & clamp it down somehow.

Thanks guys...I am heading over to re-assess and potentially take a crack at repairing it tonight. I will take pics and post em up.

Bill, I will give a go at heating it up with my heat gun. I think I will have to fabricate a clamp to hold it down though...should be interesting (something from the bow down to the trailer I suspect).

I think using silicone sealant may be a less costly thing to remove in the future as opposed to epoxy. As long as I can get it to stay down and not let in water I will be happy with it.

Update...took a look last night and forgot to take pics before I finalized the repair. Essentially I picked up some black RTV silicon adhesive sealant (to match black rub rail), lifted it up enough to expose the seam between the upper and lower hulls, shot a bunch in to that area, pulled the rub rail back down and filled in the cracked piece with sealant as well. I am thinking it will hold but I am a bit concerned about the rub rails tendency to move up and down by about 1/4 of an inch. I guess time will tell.

Take it to a dealer and have your clutz brother pay for the repair. The sooner you do this, the more likely your brother will actually pay for it. In my experience, when dealing with family, they either pay quick... or never.

Scott...I was asking if anyone else had experienced this repair and HOW they fixed it; not how to deal with my family...especially family (brother) that has been driving my boat for 8+ years (without incident) towing my ass around lakes when he doesn't even ride but less than .01% of the time and was sincerely apologetic. He has been helping me out for years and meant no harm. If you have repaired this problem I am all ears on HOW it was fixed and if it worked.