Stern rail access

[cla6665]

Hi all,
I am thinking of cutting the middle portion of my stern rail to make it easier to board the boat. I would like to install some sort of hinge on one side so that the tail can be lifted to access the boat. Has anyone done that ? If so what did you use?
I have attached a pic of the rail.
Thank you

[coopec43]

What you want to do is have a gap in you pushpit? Is that correct?

When you say "I would like to install some sort of hinge on one side so that the tail can be lifted to access the boat" you lose me.

I haven't got any really relevant photos but I have a gap in my pushpit. I will use chain and pelican clips to fill the gap and stop people falling overboard once underway. If you look at the very top of the photo you will see a gap in the pushpit.

[tkeithlu]

If you remove the center section of the rail, consider a steel cable across the space, with one of these snap shackles attached to the other post, so that you can pull it tight.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronst...99?recordNum=6

[Tomodore]

When I have had similar ideas, after seeking input from places like here I locate the best stainless marine guy with my idea. That person has already done a lot of similar jobs and knows what works and what doesn't. Looking around a Marina it is easy to spot the shoddy ill conceived projects while the well planned one's look like they were born that way.

[Cheechako]

Having the cable connector is a good idea. No shop needed, just a hacksaw. You could just cut half of that tube, as you cant walk through the backstay anyway. Or you can hinge the piece you remove with 1 of these:
https://www.christiesfabrics.com/pro...ttings-8-types
and 2 of these with a fastpin.
https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Bimini...a-729378511599

[V-Dog]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

If you remove the center section of the rail, consider a steel cable across the space, with one of these snap shackles attached to the other post, so that you can pull it tight.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/ronst...99?recordNum=6

^^This^^

My boat has SS cables with snap shackles across the sugar scoop and it works great; it came this way from the factory. You may want to beef up your pushpit, maybe by replacing with gate stanchions on each side of the gap?