Stanchions w cable Vs fixed railing

[victalbies]

Hi all
I have the stanchions and cable railing on my 40 foot sailing boat that need replacing. Was wondering to replace the cable with fixed chrome railing all round. However I see no yachts with fixed railings. All seem to employ stanchions with cable running through ! Anyone can enlighten me on the matter ?

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[sailormed]

Look at Amels, they have both, fixed above, cable lower. Seems a good solution to me. But more expensive of course.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, victalbies.

[sailormed]

See here, nice looks

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF Victalbies !

[georgelieber]

It depends on how you use the boat. A top railing is very susceptible to damage from tall pilings and walls. If you normally use the boat in only good weather, and go in and out of one marina, a solid top rail should be fine. But if you venture with the boat, the top rail will inventively be up against a tall piling, dock, or wall in rough water and it will get bent up. Remember, even when the fenders are touching the dock in rough water, the top of the stanchion is waving back and forth quite a bit.

We venture constantly with our boat, and we often find ourselves banging our way into an unfamiliar slip or wall tie-up at night and in bad weather. Our stanchions are stainless schedule 40 pipe... and even they regularly get bent. If we had a solid top rail, it would be trashed in short order! A cable top rail stays looking good even after taking a beating.

[victalbies]

My yacht is mooring on a permanent buoy in an open harbour. I used it for sailing charters, day trips etc. Occasionally sail to a marina in a nearby island. Taking your advice in consideration I will go for a fixed top railing and a cable in-between. As for guests I prefer to have a solid strong top railing for better holding and safety

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[georgelieber]

I agree. Sounds like a solid top rail would be good. A solid top rail does give better stability for guests.

Post some pics if you can when it is completed. Good luck with the project.

[meirriba]

Yachts do have fixed railings.
It is more secure but more expensive.
Go for it if funds are no object

[reed1v]

Should have no lifelines nor rails if you want to fit in with the uber Mediterranean crowd. Seems the very wealthy sailboat owners find such things crass and unbecoming to the looks of their yachts. Crews are expendable, looks are not.

[Scaramanga F25]

I would like solid rails by the cockpit and foredeck.

[DDabs]

I'm with Scaramanga. Solid lifeline rails are a little too bulky and look odd to me. I prefer nice uncoated SS wire for the lifelines, with a solid stern rail that extended around the cockpit. Solid railing for the entire bow pulpit as well extending 6-10 ft. aft.

[basssears]

For more security also look at the stanchion height, most lifelines are only tall enough to make sure you flip as you go over, taller night provide more security (while possibly interfering with sails, sheets, etc etc)

Originally Posted by victalbies

Hi all
I have the stanchions and cable railing on my 40 foot sailing boat that need replacing. Was wondering to replace the cable with fixed chrome railing all round. However I see no yachts with fixed railings. All seem to employ stanchions with cable running through ! Anyone can enlighten me on the matter ?

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[redhead]

I agree with Bassears - for me, any change would be additional height. Most stanchions catch me right above the knee which would make a very graceful flip right over the sides.

[victalbies]

Yes in fact I'm exploring as to how high I can make the stanchions without interfering with the sails, max an inch or two

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