Comments about Taco Taco Universal Semi-Rigid Vinyl Rub Rail Kit:

I wanted to replace the aluminum rub-rail on my 25+ year old boat. The rail was badly scartched and weathered, plus water was getting into the boat though the seam at the rub rail.
I needed 70 feet, so I purcased 3 rolls of this sem-rigid material, because it would be easier to ship and it is also a bit less expensive than aluminum or stainless.
But it is not all that it is advertised to be.
This stuff is supposed to be pre-drilled. Mine wasn't. (Maybe it was old stock?). Anyway, it came with a combined drill and countersink bit, so I had to drill about 150 holes on site.
You need to be very careful about how tight you fasten the screws. Just a slight bit too much will disort the vinyl. Not enough and the screw heads are above the vinyl. So it is easy to end up with a "wavy" look.
In addition, there is inconsistency in the size of the vinyl. Where 2 strips join together (butt joint), there is about 1/8" difference in the width of the strips. Quality control?
You definately need a heat gun, as well as a helper. And do it on a warm day, as it is constantly trying to coil back up, even after leaving it uncoiled.
If I had it to do over agaain, I would pay the extra, and go with aluminum or preferrably stainless. But it does look better than the old scratched rub rail, and the leaks have stopped.