AirJain installation guide
Video checked / factory-hole mounting
Does installation require drilling?
Use a drill.
Do not drill the hull.
01 / stripPrepare the retaining strip
02 / skirtTransfer the hole position
03 / hullUse the factory hole
The AirJain collar installation shown in the video uses a drill to prepare the retaining strip and collar skirt. It does not require new holes in the fiberglass hull.
The short answer
Yes, a drill is part of the job. No, you are not drilling new mounting holes into the PWC hull.
The original rub rail is removed first, exposing the existing factory mounting points. Those positions are copied to the retaining strip and the collar skirt, then the assembly is secured with M6 hardware through the existing holes.
Watch the actual process
What the video shows.
The linked short demonstrates the method on a Yamaha PWC and answers the drilling question visually. After the factory rub rail is removed, the installer finds the PWC’s existing holes and transfers their positions to a flat retaining strip and the collar skirt.
The screw path is then shown in order: through the retaining strip, through the collar skirt and through an existing hull mounting hole before it is fastened from inside.
The important distinction
What gets drilled?
“No-drill installation” can sound as if no drill appears at all. A more accurate description is no new hull drilling.
The retaining strip
The existing hull-hole positions are marked on the flat strip. Holes are made in the strip at those transferred locations. The current AirJain guide refers to this part as the supplied rigid PVC trim.
The fiberglass hull
No new holes are added to the fiberglass. The collar is mounted through the holes already used by the factory rub rail, preserving the original mounting path.
Installation overview
Five steps from rail to collar.
This is a summary of the sequence shown in the video and AirJain’s written guide. Use the instructions supplied for your exact PWC and collar kit when installing.
01
Remove the factory rub rail
Remove the front and rear bumper pieces as required, then pull the factory rub rail away from both sides to expose its mounting track and existing holes.
02
Position the collar
Set the uninflated collar along the hull, align its skirt with the factory track and check that the collar is centered before making any marks.
03
Transfer the factory hole locations
Mark the existing hull-hole positions on the retaining strip, then transfer the same positions to the collar skirt. Accuracy here keeps every fastener on the factory mounting line.
04
Drill the strip and skirt
Create the matching holes in the retaining strip and collar skirt. The drill stops there; no new hole is drilled into the fiberglass hull.
05
Fasten, inflate and inspect
Install the M6 hardware through the strip, collar skirt and existing hull holes. Tighten evenly, reinstall the bumper, inflate the collar and check alignment before launching.
Model and kit note: The video shows a Yamaha installation and mentions using a flat strip or cutting the removed rub rail to make one. AirJain’s current Sea-Doo guide describes a supplied rigid PVC trim. Use the instructions, retaining material and hardware supplied for your exact PWC and collar kit.
Basic tool check
What should be on hand?
DrillFor the retaining trim and collar skirt
ScrewdriversFor bumper and factory hardware
Pliers or wrenchFor the bolt-and-nut fasteners
Electric pumpFor final collar inflation
Plan a careful first fit
Is it a DIY job?
AirJain rates the installation as beginner-friendly, with an estimated time of about 20–30 minutes. That estimate assumes clear access to the factory rub rail and a compatible kit.
Take extra time if your PWC has fishing racks, dock hardware or other accessories near the mounting track. Confirm the collar position and accessory clearance before drilling the removable parts.
20–30
minutes estimated by the current AirJain installation guide
Common questions
Before you start.
Will the installation damage the hull?
The shown installation does not call for new holes in the fiberglass hull. Work carefully around the exposed factory track, use the existing mounting holes and follow the kit instructions for tightening the hardware.
Why is a drill listed if this is a no-hull-drill system?
Because the removable retaining strip and collar skirt still need holes that match the PWC’s existing mounting points. The drill prepares those parts, not a new mounting path in the hull.
Can I reuse the factory rub rail?
The video notes that a flat strip may be made from the removed rub rail, while the current written guide refers to supplied rigid PVC trim. Follow the parts supplied with your specific collar kit.
Can the collar be removed later?
The mounting method uses the factory rub-rail track and holes, which makes later removal possible. Keep the original parts and hardware organized if you may want to restore the original configuration.
Does every PWC install exactly the same way?
No. Track shape, bumper removal, collar size and accessory clearance vary by model and year. Confirm compatibility and use the guide for your exact PWC before starting.
Ready to install?
Open the full guide ↗
Use the factory holes. Keep the hull intact.
Check your model compatibility, review the complete installation guide and verify the hardware in your kit before removing the factory rub rail.