Foward grabrails...THATAWAY?

[Spike38]

And/or others who may have installed same. I'd like some background before starting. Bob, yours appear mounted so the after leg at least may be through bolted inside the cabin. Were you concerned about the strength of the laminate farther forward on the "visor"? I find some rails with threaded bases (much less expensive: "Seachoice" so maybe "Chinese stainless"?) and some with studs but can't see much to prefer in either style. The whole area being more or less curved I expect difficulty finding an area where the bases will lie relatively flat. Just hoping for hints before buying and drilling.

[Al & Pat Parker]

Hi Spike,
We had forward grab handles installed on our boat before we took dely. IIRC they're bolted thru the "eyebrow" over the windshield, I just looked at interior pix & don't see any bolt heads up fwd. You can see them in the first pic in our "Knot-Home" album http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Knot-Home&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
They make for a safe feeling when going fwd if there's any motion of the boat.
p.s. by the way, our boat is for sale, it was in the "for sale by owner" page but not anymore, maybe because it's now listed with a broker.

[Sam Walker]

Hi Al, not to shanghai the thread, are you talking about having your boat on the for sale section here on the Brats site? If you are, I think I remember reading somewhere that Bill and Mike put an automatic expiration on the for sale ads. If that is the case, your ad may have run out.

[Sea Wolf]

As an additional thought, if you're thinking about adding an extra set of hand holds on the cabin brow as an assistance when going forward to the bow of the boat, such as to raise anchor, a second pair placed on the top of the trunk on the side and slightly behind the hatch would be another, perhaps even more important addition.

Just get up there on your boat, imagine the whole boat and especially the bow pitching around, and figure out where the two sets of handholds need to be to get you from the long handrail on the top of the cabin to the bow pulpit.

The placement of the one on the brow may influence the placement of the second, but it will become immediately clear that there is a open area between the cabin and the bow pulpit with nothing at all to hold on to.

The only other approach that I can think of would be to use a rope attached between the bow pulpit and brow as a handhold, or pick up the forward "painter" (sailor's term for bow dockline) and hold it during the forward passage.

Rigging a removable line between the brow handhold and the bow would be a smart move it one suspected the weather was going to turn bad, but you can't always anticipate that ahead of time, like the night before when anchoring in calm conditions.

Just something else to think about. And another good reason to add a windlass to raise anchor without going on the foredeck, although a fouled windlass can force you up there just the same!

Joe.

[Al & Pat Parker]

Hi Joe, et al,
Our CD-25 has bow rails, or pulpit, whatever you want to call it, which handles your scenario pretty well.
The pic shows that, click here to see it enlarged:http://www.boatanchors.org/C-Dorypix/MaidenSplash2.jpg

Thanks, Joe, for your usual great thoughts, other arrgts could greatly benefit from your suggestion.

[peterljones]

In some of the shots in my album you can see forward and side hand holds installed at the factory. Very strong and have saved me from a few awkward moments!! Also have interior hand holds which I would not do without.
They don't look too bad either.
Pete

[thataway]

Here is the photo of the C Dory 25's hand railings. The near one is on the outside of the cabin top, under the lip, all of the way aft. The far railing, on the 45 degree bias, is all of the way foreward. The outboard stud (1/4") is like the aft railing, between the cabin side wall and lip of the top. The inner and foreward stud, is through the top eyebrow, and the forward cabin house. Both holes, washers and nuts are outside of the cabin. The trick is getting the hole right in the center between the cabin house and the lip--then getting a washer and nut threaded on the stud. I used museum putty to hold the washer and nut on my finger tip and start it on the stud. After started, then I used a socket on a universal joint to tighten the nut.

I have used these railings on the 22, the 25 and the tom Cat--they have been plenty sturdy to hold my 200 lbs. We avoid going foreward in really rough seas, and have a windlass on the CD 25 and Tom Cat. I have long enough arms that I can reach from the hand hold on the cabin top to the bow railing--but I cannot swear that I could do this hanging on to the top and then the railing at the same time. It is one motion, and I don't feel insecure. I had not considered a hand rail on the lower trunk cabin, since I felt that might be in the way, and I could trip on it--but for some it may be an excellent idea. Certainly a lifeline could be rigged if necessary very easily bewteen any of the hand rails and bow pulpit railing.

[MOOSE]

For the forward grab rail, I can highly recommend a set of moose antlers. Once can even dry socks and underwear on them.

Al

[lloyds]

Longhorns would be pretty cool too.

[Spike38]

Thanks to all for your suggestions and observations. Being from Maine originally I might just abandon the rails and go with the moose antlers!

[matt_unique]

Moose - that is a riot!