Satisfied with your railings?

Jennifer,
I've thought about the white vinyl coated wire and have decided I like the look of it even though it adds a bit of clutter.

Eric maybe one of our photo shop pros can doctor that photo up to have stainless wire so you can see what it would look like. It really improved the appearance of my friend's Catalina (ok no sailboat cracks!!). It makes the wire blend in more than pop out. Anyway, your boat is so cute.

Andy re the canvas below the rail, our boat used to have that on the sundeck and it was I believe "pacific blue." The previous owner got rid of it and all the blue on the outside of the boat (including the original flybridge stripes). I am not a big fan of the side canvas and I SURE don't like all the hardware drilled into the deck that used to attach the stuff. But I'm sure it has it's place where it is useful.

I like my canvas rail covers and we do uncover the rails on special occasions. I rather wish though that we had not gone with the same color as the bimini--I forget the name of the color, maybe Oyster, but anyway it is VERY light and man does it show dirt. It is impossible to keep clean. We would have been better off to change colors, even if that meant getting a new bimini made. Oh well. I'll just have to live with grungy canvas until this stuff wears out... a long long time from now I'm sure...

manyboats said:

Jennifer,
I've thought about the white vinyl coated wire and have decided I like the look of it even though it adds a bit of clutter.

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Eric - As compared to your avitar that pict really does your boat justice... looken real nice!

Art,
I agree and tonight I'll change the avatar. We're at Starbucks now. I'm gett'in to like this down south liv'in.

RT Firefly said:

Greetings,
Mr. Peter B. I'm surprised at you. Casting potential slurs in the general direction of a boating accessory named in honor of your fellow countrymen...
Monty Python - Bruce - YouTube

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Thank you RT Firefly that clip. Long time since I have seen it, fortunately no one seems interested. Do you perchance have a Goon Show collection, the (obscene) Derek and Clive tapes (alias Dud and Pete)...

We are very satisfied with our railings. They are a good height, strong and the wood adds to the beauty of the boat. It's the same on the bridge, and I love to look down from the bridge on a clean boat with the wood rails shinning in the sun. We use Cetol marine gloss, two days once a year and it's done. That includes all the wood.

Lilli Belle is a beauty, Steve.

VERY nice, Steve!

Must admit I am pretty happy with my rail set up 1 1/4" SS with wire mid height on main deck and 2 wires on fore deck.
Height from deck to top rail and space in between is set by local marine authotity (Department of Transport)if boat is in survey to carry passangers.
I built my boat to survey standard but never put it into survey after launch day.
I have the white plastic coated ss wire at present and am pretty pleased with it.
This stuff is due for replacement soon as it is 17 years old. Will probably stick with the plastic coated stuff.

Tidahapah said:

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Height from deck to top rail and space in between is set by local marine authority (Department of Transport)if boat is in survey to carry passengers.
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Yes, I thought that would be the case. Do you have any info on the dimensions - so far I have been unable to locate it. I was going to use the height of a house balcony as minimum, but have yet to find that also.
OK, found a bit on houses - minimum 1m height, plus some othe requirements that aren't practical for a boat.

Insequent said:

Yes, I thought that would be the case. Do you have any info on the dimensions - so far I have been unable to locate it. I was going to use the height of a house balcony as minimum, but have yet to find that also.
OK, found a bit on houses - minimum 1m height, plus some othe requirements that aren't practical for a boat.

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Well being a house buider I can shed some light on the house balcony heights. You are indeed correct. 1000mm is the minimum AS/NZ standards height for the top rail.

iPad Forum Runner

Tidahapah said:

Must admit I am pretty happy with my rail set up 1 1/4" SS with wire mid height on main deck and 2 wires on fore deck.
Height from deck to top rail and space in between is set by local marine authotity (Department of Transport)if boat is in survey to carry passangers.
I built my boat to survey standard but never put it into survey after launch day.
I have the white plastic coated ss wire at present and am pretty pleased with it.
This stuff is due for replacement soon as it is 17 years old. Will probably stick with the plastic coated stuff.

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It may be just me but your rig is fookin HUGE!!!! You can really tell from the avatar but wow. Impressive mate! What are her dimensions?

iPad Forum Runner

Brian,
If I remember correctly I think it is 960 mm. Will check when I get back to boat next week.I am presently up in Port Hedland on the tugs.

Hendo,
Tidahapah is 48'6" x 15'6" with a 5'8" draft
Built 1995. Fred Fleming design , built by Bert Ellis (& myself) in Norman Creek Brisbane.

Very satisfied. It is good to have secure railings and handholds. The interference with visibility is minimal compared to the security provided. Besides that I use the stanchions for a quick check for a constant bearing in a crossing situation. If the bearing does not change I alter course.

Greetings,
Due to an unbalanced equilibrium (physical NOT mental) I have found venturing onto a deck without a railing, even with handholds, an unsettling experience. Whether or not a rail of any sort gives me a false sense of security, I don't know but I just feel more comfortable with something there.
As for checking bearings, good suggestion. I've been using my gun sight all these years...


I may have to consider some sort of wire or netting between the stanchions for the ever increasing number of tykes that seem to be making their way on board.

Perfect timing on this thread… the railings are my next project on Shintullah. First question, Mark do you know the wall thickness of Coot’s railings? I know you said the OD is 1.25 and you comment on how sturdy they feel, at last months boat show in Annapolis several of the new boats had large diameter railings in the inch to inch and a half range but the still felt very “wimpy” almost like you were holding a piece of PVC pipe, they were stainless, I just think the wall thickness was very thin…
I have two areas to work on; the bow and the aft hand rails. You can see from the photo’s the replacing the bow rails is a given and you can see I need to replace the teak the rail bolts to… in an attempt to keep maintenance down I’m considering replacing it with painted steel and being done with it, I have been looking for a synthetic teak replacement but can’t find anything.
For the aft hand rail, there are several sections missing on the starboard side, I was thinking again in an effort to reduce maintenance replacing the teak with and extruded aluminum hand rail… or maybe a 2 inch stainless steel tube… or just making the teak easy to un-bolt for annual finishing… or I’m back to the synthetic teak, has anyone found a fake teak that really looks like teak?

Our railings are 1.25" with a life line between the top and the base. At 3 of the 5 stanchions (on each side), a 1" brace has been added that is thru bolted at the deck. The brace adds support and prevents the railings from deflecting out ward when someone leans against them. We have never found them to be a trip hazard or toe killer.

Talonewo said:

... First question, Mark do you know the wall thickness of Coot’s railings? I know you said the OD is 1.25 and you comment on how sturdy they feel, ...?

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Thickness is unknown to me. Key is solid connection with the hull. Coot has railings welded to the gunwale. Larry's approach looks good if welding isn't an option.

From recollection of a case where a young lady "with a few on board" fell off a balcony with lower than building reg. rail heights, 1 metre sounds about right. You could ask the local Shire Council. Too low, they can flip people over rather than contain them. When you think about it,they should protect people,even if they are "3 sheets to the wind", because that is how some people will be sometimes.
It has been said the only safe industrial machine is so well guarded it defies use.

My railings need help. I don't have great pictures to share, but a few and you may get an idea. I don't think I can make them any higher, but I do need to replace either with new teak or something else the mid to aft sections. What happened is two things, 1. over the 35 years or so the previous owner(s) sanded so much of the teak off ( as much a 1/4") that they are just no longer fit for purpose as well as ugly. 2. on the port side there was some kind of repair that when the gate is closed it fits, but when open will not fit in it's latch. The bow pulpit is fine, but I'd like to add double life-lines maybe. Here are some pics, but I have to take better close ups.


The gunwale where the stations attach has also been sanded down to the bronze screws fastening them to the hull an many of them.


There are several cracks where an attempt was made with some kind of glue and brads.


The gate on the Port side (not this view) does not lock in the open position because of a poor repair job.


The bow pulpit arrangement is OK by me.

My cut is when at sea...hanholds are the necessary issue whether railings or handholds...unless you have shiplike railing strength and height...you run the risk of going over if you are depending on the rail.

I'm with RTF though...something that helps your balance is great...but it doesn't have t be an actual security blanket.

Of course I try and NOT take my boat into conditions where railings need to be more secure than for balance only....

psneeld said:

My cut is when at sea...hanholds are the necessary issue whether railings or handholds...unless you have shiplike railing strength and height...you run the risk of going over if you are depending on the rail.

I'm with RTF though...something that helps your balance is great...but it doesn't have t be an actual security blanket.

Of course I try and NOT take my boat into conditions where railings need to be more secure than for balance only....

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Thumbs up to that last sentence!! And for the fact handholds are great and work best when used! one hand for the ship...

Pineapple Girl said:

Thumbs up to that last sentence!! And for the fact handholds are great and work best when used! one hand for the ship...

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With this klutz, it's often two hands just for me.

I'm satisfied with my rails, but some maintenance is needed. The forward stainless rails are starting to loosen and need to be rebedded. I've got the butyl tape for the job and have been waiting for the time to tackle it.

The aft teak rails are normally protected from dings and scratches with split fire hose held in place with Velcro hook and loop strips. We love the look of well-maintained teak rails, but I sometimes I get tired of the well-maintained part!! The caprail and aft rail need a few more coats of varnish to keep them looking good which will be done this winter.

We talken rails here??? LOL

FlyWright said:

I'm satisfied with my rails, but some maintenance is needed. The forward stainless rails are starting to loosen and need to be rebedded.

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Don't like wiggly railings. I'll just lay here and hope for the best (on Al's boat.)

Man's got a photo for every occasion....

Peter B said:

Man's got a photo for every occasion....

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Yes, Peter... That is surely true! But, if you'll notice Mark is in nearly every picture. Therefore it is the Pict-Taker who also deserves much applause... Might I venture a guess it is his pretty wife? Or maybe Mark has photo quality surveillance cameras all over his boat?? OK, Mark, fess up - - > How is it you have a pict for every occasion? Inquiring TF minds want to know!

It wasn't me...

Art said:

Yes, Peter... That is surely true! But, if you'll notice Mark is in nearly every picture. Therefore it is the Pict-Taker who also deserves much applause... Might I venture a guess it is his pretty wife? Or maybe Mark has photo quality surveillance cameras all over his boat?? OK, Mark, fess up - - > How is it you have a pict for every occasion? Inquiring TF minds want to know!

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Poparazzi!