Replacing Lifelines with Solid Rails

[grunzster]

Other than the obvious reason, cost...well and maybe weight (especially on a cat), is there any other reason I wouldn't want to do this?

My lines are probably going to need to be replaced soon, anyway. Rails will be much stronger and last much longer. And I am going to have someone come down to do some other welding soon, so maybe I can get this all done at the same time.

I was thinking of just keeping all the original hardware, removing the lines, and then just getting tube welded between the stantions, where the top lifeline is now. Being that it's stronger, I probably wouldn't put a lower rail, or if I did, maybe a much narrower tube?

[David_Old_Jersey]

it's on my list - not high up though

My father did this (33 foot motorboat) about 10 years ago - works very well, especially for manhandling an inflatable dinghy over the rail as well as a tad more security when along the side decks (both hip and hand). One thing to bear in mind is for gates you might need to add another stanchion.

He only did the top rail in stainless tube - rather than welding in between each stanchion had a 3" cap of larger tube slid over the top of each stanchion and then through bolted.............the rail was welded on top of these stanchion caps. Added an inch or so to the overall rail height, but not visually noticeably so.....and works well with the remaining lower guard wire.

No pics - boat all covered up for the winter

[bunyipdreaming]

bet ya that wasnt cheap!!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Just realised I took a photo recently...........



If you look closely you will see their is a touch of rust staining at the join where the cap fits onto the stanchion - not sure if that is from the bolt.

Also at the stern and bow the rail is not in line with the push and pulpit - could have been if the fabricator had been expressly told to. Mine will be

Cost? no figures - but weren't cheap - but just like OP guardlines were due for renewal anyway and the boat was bought as a long term keeper, so would get the use out of and didn't want to do again.

[David_Old_Jersey]

dang that photo not much use ............

"Wayluya" Seadog! - Diagrams and Plans

a bit better .........

[Maren]

Originally Posted by grunzster

Other than the obvious reason, cost...well and maybe weight (especially on a cat), is there any other reason I wouldn't want to do this?

Not really all that much weight, all things considered. I know a guy that put in all rail for his 60' cat. I think the real point to consider is the appearance. Life lines are not really all that strong but they are (except on commercial boats) pretty low and the lines are thin.

If your boat is big enough to pull it off visually, go for it. Otherwise, you might consider something like Dux.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha David,
I checked out the photo. What are all those boats doing aground?
regards

[SkiprJohn]

Grunzster,
There was a fellow on the forum a couple years back who recommended going to the old bus bone yard and getting stainless railing taken out of the old buses to use as rail. Probably comes with fittings and all.
regards,

[s/v Moondancer]

Our boat was previously owned by two older brothers, one of whom had had heart surgery. They added a complete around the boat s/s tubular safety rail system that is 9-12 inches higher than standard lifelines.

It is a great addition to the boat and well worth doing if you can afford it...ours was fabricated in South America it and was probably much cheaper than having it done in the US.

It is 5 yrs old and there are very few signs of rust or deterioration. The older I get, I am 60, the better it looks from a safety point of view.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Aloha David,
I checked out the photo. What are all those boats doing aground?
regards

It's our anti Piracy defences. Twice a day we remove all the water

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by grunzster

Other than the obvious reason, cost...well and maybe weight (especially on a cat), is there any other reason I wouldn't want to do this?

My lines are probably going to need to be replaced soon, anyway. Rails will be much stronger and last much longer. And I am going to have someone come down to do some other welding soon, so maybe I can get this all done at the same time.

I was thinking of just keeping all the original hardware, removing the lines, and then just getting tube welded between the stantions, where the top lifeline is now. Being that it's stronger, I probably wouldn't put a lower rail, or if I did, maybe a much narrower tube?

Less stress distribution and give. More of a tendency to bump them.

But I can see the up-side.

[SkiprJohn]

David,
You blokes think of all ways to thwart those yankee pirates.
Thought a tsunami might be on its way in!
regards,

[speakeasy]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

It's our anti Piracy defences. Twice a day we remove all the water

Brilliant! I'm going to propose the same strategy at the next Left Coast Defense meeting.

The Seadog looks very sturdy and handy with those twin keels. But how does she sail? None for sale on this side of the water apparently.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by speakeasy

The Seadog looks very sturdy and handy with those twin keels. But how does she sail? None for sale on this side of the water apparently.

twin?!! triple (although they also did a Deep Seadog, deeper draft and no wing keels) I think only 1 owned in the US of A..........sail? errrrrr, not so much with me More of a Landrover than a Ferrari......the owners manual says first reef at force 6. in light airs it's quicker to anchor ..........mine is on a promise for a kiwi prop, battened sails and maybe a bowsprit and and ...........


One day I will replace these pics with my own...........

http://wayluya.webs.com/seadogindetail.htm

[feelsgood]

We changed the wooden rail on our Colvic watson 32 with 25mm s/s tube and the lower is still wire when you get aboard now the top doesnt cut off your b&^%#s