stern pullpit

[phlygh]

I'm building a steel hulled Departure 35.I'm wondering about the height of the stern pullpit,and why no one seems to fit a decent 900mm high rail (strength is not an issue for me),that can be leaned on,held on,things attatched to,etc.Instead of the regulation (ours) 700mm, which seems designed to ensure you go overboard head first.Is it just ugly, or am I missing something?

[tkeithlu]

Ugly is in the eyes of the beholder, and we can't see what you are proposing. That said, I think one advantage to building your own steel boat (as I did) is being able to apply your own ideas, for better or worse, and modify them later if you change your mind. Some of my ideas are a source of pride, largely increased safety, and some turned out to be completely dumbassed. So, if 0.7 meter rails leave you concerned for safety, and 0.9 meter railings look like a good idea, go for it.

You can always pull out your plasma cutter and welder later and revert to 0.7 meter rails if you decide that you made a mistake.

[phlygh]

Thanks tkiethlu,always nice to have that option.Here's a photo to clarify.

[Bowdrie]

My boat is similar to yours, being a "take off" of a Departure 35.
The stanchions are 30", or ~780mm, and work quite well.
When the sea state/weather gets bad you're not "walking about" anyway.
A tip that will make a huge improvement on appearance:
Stanchions that lean outboard and follow the sheer profile can, (and most often do,) present an ugly appearance, (sorry,) and the taller they are the worse they look.
If you set them up so that each are vertical as viewed from the side, and angled inboard at 2>3 degrees as viewed from bow/stern they will present a much better look.

[phlygh]

Thanks Bowdrie, that was the answer I was looking for. Its hard to see the boat from a decent vantage point, but just putting the verticals in place gives a very cage-like effect. I see our regs are 560mm,so I'll go somewhere just more than that, and as us saffers like to say"make another plan".