Monk 36 - Strengthening top rail

[Archipelago]

I have a Monk 36 and would like to attach an Ace Prawn Hauler to the top rail, aft starboard side. The rail is fairly sturdy but the Ace will put a lot of down and side pressure on the rail. Has anyone, dealt with same problem? I'm thinking of having a stainless bracket fabricated in an attempt to connect the top rail with the lower cap rail, effectively transferring the strength of the lower cap rail to the upper rail on which the hauler will be mounted. Any ideas would be appreciated. Rob

 

[Desolation Dan]

Hi Rob, just read your thread. I too have a Monk 36 and am thinking the same thing. Have you done something yet? A friend owns a GB 42 and had some brackets built that sandwich the top rail and have worked well for him. I can send you some photos if you like. I still have not gone that route as I cannot justify the expense but I have not come up with an alternative. Mine are currently mounted on the cap rail below but I don’t like bending over that far to use the down-riggers.
Dan

 

[Archipelago]

Hi Dan,
I have a fabricator friend who came up with an elegant solution that works well and looks good. It's most easily explained using photographs. How do I attach photos to this reply?
Rob

 

[Desolation Dan]

Trap puller on a Monk 36

I think there is a better/stronger way, but if you have installed the puller on this and it works then great. I will send the photos of what my friend did once I figure out how to do it! I live in Campbell River.

Dan

 

[Archipelago]

Hi Dan

Thanks for posting pictures of an alternative for strengthening the top rail. Strengthening the top rail at the corner is an easier problem to solve than when locating the Scotty base forward on the rail. I like to be able to stand aft of the downrigger base to more easily manipulate the fishing gear. The installation that my fabricator came up with is based on triangulating the diagonal stanchions or struts. It works for me. I also ran #8/2 wire from the engine room for a Scotty recepticle located immediately below downrigger plate about 8" off the deck.

Good luck coming up with something that works for you.

Rob

 

[Archipelago]

It works!

 

[Desolation Dan]

It works!

Nice but we use those for bait up here...