Grind off Belly Band on Boler?

[Sleeka]

The metal band on my 13' Boler is bent in one corner and was ripped off in another. I see you can buy it at Scamp but that can't be easy to bend for the corners. Since the seam is fiberglassed from the inside and I have read the belly band is just vsiual, could someone grind off the lip and apply some fiberglass on the outside to reinforce and sand smooth?

In searches I saw the silver Boler that was made to look like an A_____m trailer and it did not have a seam on it. Not sure what peoples thoughts are. I personally don't like the clamshell look but I'm sure many others think original is best.

[james kent]

I have seen this same type of trim used as Belly Band on 86-7 Bolers. Sure would save all that work of grinding, smoothng and filling,but you have to admit that the smooth boler does look great and attracts a lot of attention.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Sleeka

The metal band on my 13' Boler is bent in one corner and was ripped off in another. I see you can buy it at Scamp but that can't be easy to bend for the corners.

What corners? Do you have a square Boler or an egg Boler?

I'd CALL Scamp. Doubtful they'd sell anything that was next to impossible to mount without kinking. They must send directions of some sort. Perhaps they'd recommend using a pipe bender or a bender for conduit. That's easy. And you can rent those if you have a tool rental place. I bought a pipe bender for copper at Lowes several years back. It was less than $25.

I agree the smooth look is cool. But I can imagine (for myself), I'd end up with a lot more work and maybe problems than going the original belly band route.

OR... just take the belly band off completely. Check for holes, etc. and plug those. Then paint the entire belly band area with a contrasting paint... maybe to match your tug???? It could look very nice without ALL the work of grinding, smoothing, etc.

Best of luck, please post pictures, etc.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Sleeka

Since the seam is fiberglassed from the inside and I have read the belly band is just visual, could someone grind off the lip and apply some fiberglass on the outside to reinforce and sand smooth?

As you note, there are design purists who try to keep everything original. There are also custom enthusiasts who do some awesome tricked-out modifications.

One additional possibility is to emulate Escape's "equator" treatment. Not a clam-shell belly band, but not painstakingly erased either.

As long as it's not one of the 1st 30 Bolers that were built in 1969 with flat roofs, you should follow your heart.

[Sleeka]

I like the idea of a molding on top and bottom to make it a wider less obtrusive band. I think I still like the idea of removing it altogether though.

Thanks for the opinions and options everyone.