bow rails like__em or hate__em

[Rogerjack2]

hey guys my 23 came with a broken bow rail so im wondering what most of you guys think I like the way the boat looks with the rail BUT it not being there is slightly growing on me I have notice most of all the newer center consoles are sold with out one I like the safety aspect of one so If I can find one Iwill go with one but let me know what you all like thanks

[ddd222]

depends on the model, the one on my 241 was way too high and right in my line of sight so came off right away. Had thoughts of possibly a lower one being fabricated more recessed and not meeting at the bow but never got around to it

[flounder]

As ddd said, It "depends on the model" and of course, the eye of the beholder. I took mine off at least 20 years ago. I don't think there is a more gracful sheer line combined with the bow's entry then on these Makos. At the time I felt like the factory rail detracted from those lines, so off it came. It was just too high.

For no particular reason, I have grown to like the appearance of the newer solid SS rails. They are lower and seem to carry sleeker lines. We were able to pick up a rail that is lower and sleeker then the original...I think it will look good. Gonna put it on.

[Tr91Mako231]

The bow rails on my 231 are gone. Much cleaner look without them. I might suggest looking into the low profile bow rails. They look really nice and do offer a very good safety feature. They allow you something to grab onto with being in the way.

[Sailor]

once you take it off you will wonder why it took you so long to decide!

[lmariotti]

Agreed no rail.

[krizm200]

I have a Mako 15 with bow rail. I also have young children who accompany me on the boat most trips out, so I keep it on for their safety. They like to sit up front on the lip against the rail. It would be a little too easy for one of them to fall off (or their siblings push them, accidentally, of course).

[Dogman18]

My old bow rail saved a friend from falling over board while on a winter trip. I had the old thin rail remove and replace with a larger diameter railing that's open at the bow.

Good place to cast net from with out hauling the net over the rail. Also the opening makes anchoring a snap . No putting the anchor under the rail or contending with it on retrieval.

[Triplecrownnc]

quote:

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Originally posted by Sailor


once you take it off you will wonder why it took you so long to decide!

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Unless you have a walkaround.

For those who have not seen mine I'll find and repost some pics of the redesign for my 250.

[DirtyOar]

Havnt even picked up my 221b and already decided on removing the rail. On a cc you can go back and forth as to it being helpful but to me its more of a tripping hazard then anything. Only other option I like is the super low profile stainless steal ones

[flounder]

quote:

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Originally posted by DirtyOar


Havnt even picked up my 221b and already decided on removing the rail. On a cc you can go back and forth as to it being helpful but to me its more of a tripping hazard then anything. Only other option I like is the super low profile stainless steal ones

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John, Yep, I agree. That is exactly what I intended to do when I picked up the one pictured above. mrdelgado suggested a mock up using PVC which I did. Much to my suprise, it looked "wrong". Tried different heights. Still looked wrong. Concluded that the grab rail arrangment needs to be below the wash board as in the Contender. It just looked like a "PEP BOYS" add on to my eye when laid low and parrellel to the sheer line.

[Rogerjack2]

WOW not what i expected!! Im still undecided,well if someone near long island new york has one that will fit my 79 23 i would gladly buy it LIKE THE MAN SAID i WOULD RATHER HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT THAN NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT thanks all you guys the members here are true team mates this kind of support is just one reason make mine a mako every time

[DirtyOar]

Rogerjack im in north jersey and when i take mine off your more then welcome to it

[Rogerjack2]

dirtyoar thank you for your bow rail offer and flounder your boat is perfect what a beauty!!

[Paradise Found]

Out here on the west coast with our swells it almost a must, seen to many people fall overboard in a deep roll or fighting a bigger size fish in a swell. Mines in the way sometimes but more then not it's a positive.