Opinions on bow rails

[irishmurph]

My new to me 231 has no bow rails. I initially liked the look of the high originals, but am leaning toward more modest/shorter ones.

It seems that the trend has been away from the tall originals to either none or shorter ones.

If any of you can explain which you prefer and why, that would help me to think through what I will do.

Thanks

[bighamlin]

Try using it as is a while and you will probably see you don't want or need either short or tall bow rails.

[flounder]

Irishmurph,

I took the original bow rail off "Sweet Pea" 23 years ago and never missed it. Last winter I bumped into a beautiful 1" welded SS rail in that needed a home, so I gave it one.

Thoughout the summer I have been back and forth on whether to keep it on or take it off.

It's coming off because it always seems to be in the way anchoring, berthing, and sometimes bottom fishing.

You want it? It's 14" high at the bow.

[CaptMudFlat]

Ive been pondering the same thing myself. Ive been weighing the pros/cons of bow rails. So this thread is perfect timing.

My 73 232 has the original aluminum rails. The previous owner (who grew up on this, his Dads, boat) said he liked them but wouldnt go out of his way to replace them if they were damaged.

Ive never experienced high bow rails before. My 18 CC bay boat has SS rails (bow to stern) but only 3 high and then the gunwale is only about 24 high anyway. They are a good place to tie fenders and to lash a push pole, gaff, etc. My friends 22 bay boat has no rails and sometimes he wishes he had rails. Last year while fishing his guest lost his balance and fell overboard. He had nothing to grab onto as he fell. Only a smooth slippery fiberglass gunwale cap.

What is their intended function? Im wondering why they were originally on the boat other than they look cool. I understand having rails on a much larger boat for balance to walk up to a pulpit. But on my 231 there is little or no place to stand on the bow.

Anchoring you certainly wouldnt drape the anchor line over the rail. So you would have to pass the line under the rail to tie it to the cleat. And when pulling up anchor youd have to pull it over the rail into the boat. That seems too cumbersome.

I fish mainly in the southeast Louisiana coastline / marsh. But on occasion we launch out of Venice and go out 12-15 miles off the mouth of the Mississippi to the near rigs. Hooking up to a rig in moderate seas is tricky and sometimes a rogue wave will push the boat into the rig. Hence, I can foresee the rails getting smashed into the rig.

Therefore, as I see it now, unless I learn something to change my mind, my rails will be coming off before next spring. If I do I will post here on CM the rails are available.

Does anyone have any other wisdom to share?

[BallBuster]

quote:

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Originally posted by irishmurph


...the trend has been away from the tall originals to either none or shorter ones...

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Trends are for the trendy. Bow rails help prevent unplanned man-overboard drills.

[brando]

If I had a CC I would have it removed

[mrdelgado]

My rail is off a 261, essentially cut half the height out and awlgripped. I stand on the bow to fish and find myself kneeling and holding onto the rail til a boats wake passes or if i lose my balance.

I also find the kids like to kneel on the seats and hold onto the rail when under way.

It serves its purpose, but if you're only concerned about looks, i think no rail looks sleeker.

[radioman]

I don't know for sure if there is a Coast Guard reg on riding on the front deck while underway without a rail, but some state regs say no occupants on front deck (outside of passenger area) while boat is operating under power, unless equipped with a railing of a certain height.

I witnessed the PA fish cops thoroughly scold a guy for standing on his front deck while idling toward the dock to tie off...he didn't have any railing on the front.

They said PA has a "no rail - no ride" rule.

They went on to explain it applies to electric trolling motors too as "under power" and not just the main power plant.

[mrdelgado]

quote:

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Originally posted by radioman


I don't know for sure if there is a Coast Guard reg on riding on the front deck while underway without a rail, but some state regs say no occupants on front deck (outside of passenger area) while boat is operating under power, unless equipped with a railing of a certain height.

I witnessed the PA fish cops thoroughly scold a guy for standing on his front deck while idling toward the dock to tie off...he didn't have any railing on the front.

They said PA has a "no rail - no ride" rule.

They went on to explain it applies to electric trolling motors too as "under power" and not just the main power plant.

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Good point! In our area people get pulled over all the time for riding the bow, dangling their feet and resting their arms on the rail. Apparently it's common people go over and get run over. But this is regardless rail or no rail

[irishmurph]

quote:

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Originally posted by flounder


Irishmurph,

I took the original bow rail off "Sweet Pea" 23 years ago and never missed it. Last winter I bumped into a beautiful 1" welded SS rail in that needed a home, so I gave it one.

Thoughout the summer I have been back and forth on whether to keep it on or take it off.

It's coming off because it always seems to be in the way anchoring, berthing, and sometimes bottom fishing.

You want it? It's 14" high at the bow.

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Hi Joe,

That is a very nice looking one on your rig. Based on the different opinions I have heard, Long term, I'm not sure whether I will want one or not, but I'd rather start with one, so I'd be glad to take that one off your hands. Do you think it would need to be modified to fit on a 231?

Bill

[flounder]

Bill,

It's yours. I believe it will fit without modification. I'll get a sketch of the dimensions together for you today.

[flounder]

Bill,

Here, see how this looks and let me know.

BTW, the rail has a fair amount of width flexibility as you move to the rear. That is not to say you can bend the tangent portions but rather the rear ends can easily spread or compress. As that is done the stanchions will also respond to width changes.



Cell 443-600-1126 or [email protected]

[irishmurph]

quote:

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Originally posted by flounder


Bill,

It's yours. I believe it will fit without modification. I'll get a sketch of the dimensions together for you today.





Joe,

That will be great! Can I give you something for it? Since the boat is currently in OH, do you have a way to store it till May? I plan to be in the MD vicinity then so I could just mount it and transport it in place.

Bill

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[flounder]

Sure. I'll hang it on a wall in the boat house until you are ready for it. No payment needed, it's yours.

[irishmurph]

quote:

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Originally posted by flounder


Sure. I'll hang it on a wall in the boat house until you are ready for it. No payment needed, it's yours.

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Perfect! I think it will fit. It will probably be May before I am able to pick it up. Look forward to meeting.

Bill