The forward cabin-top 3-hoop teak grab rails on THIRD DAY are dead! I removed them and tried to save them, but after years of neglect, they were just too thin. Unfortunately the stock 3-hoop rails at West Marine do not fit! Has anyone out there found a off the shelf source for replacement teak grab rails? I could have them custom made...but you know that that does to the price!!!!!!
They are two (2) hand rails forward with
3 loops on 13" centers made of 1 1/16" stock 2 1/2" high by 42"
And two (2) on the cabin top which have
5 loops also on 13" centers made from 1 1/16" stock 2 1/2" high by 68"
Thanks
Rich,
Working at sailnet, I checked every catalog we had (and it was a lot) and was never able to find exact replacements for the handrails. I just don't think they're made with those measurements anymore. It's the same deal you'll find with the midship ones and the ones down below.
I am a retiring furniture maker and Pearson 365 owner. Living in central Maine my overhead is low and Medicare has even lowered it. I will be happy to work with any one on this list to fabricate pieces they need. I have all the tools and sources for materials The grab rails under discussion could be fabricated for the price of off the shelf if one would do some sanding.
Don Woodruff
Papilon 1980 365 Ketch
3 Hartland Avenue
Pittsfield, ME 04967
1-800-851-4777
don@mainmast.com
Fabulous offer Don.....I know I would be interested and could even mail you one of the originals as a template. I have also received a PM from a Pearson 365 owner in Ventura, Ca (S/V Trinity) who is also looking for new deck grab rails.
Maybe others reading this thread will also want in so we will see who shakes out of the bushes and then get the ball rolling, I will give you a call Wednesday.
Thanks again for the Great offer!
Don,
I would also be interested in new handrails... I have been trying to find a source without luck..
Sea Dragon is a P367 but I think the handrails are the same.
On Sea Dragon the forward handrails are:
3 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
Cabin top are:
5 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
Thanks
Don,
It looks like my 1978 365 and your boat have the same deck grab rails as sea dragons! I would also like to get 2-3 hoop and 2-5 hoop. Great!
I'm traveling now, but will contact you and send you the funds that you deem appropriate and to cover shipping. We can also talk about other possible porjects.
Regards
In Maine we put our boats to bed in October and seal them up pretty tight against the elements. I will get some 6/4 teak and see if I can get a template off my boat. If anyone interested in new rails has an old rail or can draw a template off the 3 and 5 loop rail this would speed up the process. Once I have a fit I will hold a template for future use.
Don Woodruff
Papillon 1980 386
Pittsfield, ME
1-800-851-4777
Don,
I have the 3-hoop grab rails off the boat...would it help if I just mail it to you and you can keep it....as I don't have any use for the old rail anyway.
Rich
Rich,
That would be great
Don
Don,
Send me a "PM" or private message with you mailing address and I will get it off on Monday. You can send a Private message to anyone by clicking on the PM button at the end of any of their posts and it can only be viewed by that individual...not the entire World Wide Web...
Great Don your work looks like real Craftman furniture, not the crap that you buy at Ikea these day that you put together yourself and was make in China.
The 3-hoop grab rail is going out in the mail today to the address you provided. You will note that the over the years of sanding the rail is considerably thinner than the dimensions given by Garner (Sea Dragon) but it will serve as a good template. As you mentioned, let me know when it arrives.
3 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
Cabin top are:
5 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
Update:
Don received my 3-hoop grab rail and noted that they have had heavy sanding during their lifetime that has probabally shortend the overall length...so does someone out there have the 3-hoop and 5-hoop total lengths.
I know Garner from S/V Sea Dragon noted these measurements:
On Sea Dragon the forward handrails are:
3 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
Cabin top are:
5 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high
But what about total length?
Also, since my example was heavly sanded...is there a measurement for the length of the area between the hoop...or the portion that seats on the decks?
Thanks
Here is what I know.
The hand rails on Sea Dragon have been heavily sanded as well.
On Sea Dragon the forward handrails are:
3 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high by 42" Long.. Kind of a guess
Cabin top are:
5 loops, 13" centers.. 1 1/16 stock and 2 1/2" high by 68" Long.. kind of a guess
I hope this is helpful
Garner
Don,
Based on these numbers from Garner, if you make the 3-hoop rail to match the length of the one I sent you, which I think was 42 5/16" long that should be fine. On the five hoop, I think that 68 long will also be fine, as it will be close. I will be repainting the deck on THIRD DAY, so if they are a little off it won't matter one bit...the big number is the 13" on center for the hoops...and that is what is IMPOSSIBLE to find in a stock rail.
If you have any questions just shoot me an email.
Thanks
(and thanks Garner for the measurement confirmation. I am 2 1/2 hrs away from the boat and had way too much crap to do here around the house to make a trip over to the coast.)
I should have the teak delivered this week and can cut out the rails as soon as I plane the boards. I will make the rails a little full to allow for fitting. I plan to cut the shape route the edges and send the rails with 3/8 " bungs to allow for covering the screw holes. I will leave the rails undrilled so if there are any diferiences you can compensate easily for them. I assume both interestrd parties can do the drilling necessary. Please let me know if that is a problem.
Don Woodruff
That sounds Great Don. Just let me know the cost and I will send you a check to cover the rails and shipping. I presume Garner (from Dea Dragon) will do the same.
Thanks Again Don.
Rich
Don,
Drilling holes in not a problem Thanks again for taking on such a project.
The interior and exterior handrails are connected together. It has been suggested to me by others, that I would be happier if they were off-set and not one-above-the-other.
I do think it would be nice to have the interior hand rails closer to the center of the boat. This would make moving around below deck in heavy seas easier.
The downside to this would be the additional holes in the cabin top... 10 more places for me to worry about leaks...
Has anyone else thought about moving the interior handrails? Thoughts?
Garner
I was actually going to add some of the standard off the shelf West Marine single hoop teak grab rails to the cabin for that very reason. I was going to place a single 4-hoop rail dead center on the interrior cabin top...I've just been putting it off...afraid to drill new holes into the cabin top!
The teak arrived on Wednesday and I should be able to get to the rails in the next few days. I can get the angle placed on the bottom of the three hole rails from the sample. I will try and get to my boat and see if it is the same angle on the 5 hole rails.
I will keep all informed of the progress.
Don Woodruff
Great ThanksGiving news...I'm so stuffed with Turkey I can't Move!
Thanks Don
I own a Pearson 36 and experienced the same problem in finding handrails. I decided to purchase the Teak and build the rails, which actually worked out better than expected.
After removing the old rails we discovered some moisture around the mounting holes. I drilled some oversized holes on deck, then used a drill and bent wire to remove the wet material, then filled the holes with epoxy.
By making my own rails I was able to use larger sized lumber which covered up the larger holes. The handrails are also stronger now than the original. Looking forward to installing the rails this spring, when I return to the US.
Alex
Thanks Don....the rails arrived....now I will have to post some photos of the instalation!
I'm on THIRD DAY and the new grad rails are GREAT and fit perfectly!
Thanks again Don!
I have my new hand rails and I have started the process of documenting the removal of the old and installation of the new on our website.
http://www.sailingseadragon.com (http://www.sailingseadragon.com)
go to the "Project" and then "Replacing the Deck Hand Rails"
Don.... Thanks again for all of the hard work.. The rails are perfect.
Garner
Great addition to your site Garner! And I too like the idea of moving the interior grab rails more to the centerline of the boat and not stacking the two rails (interior and exterior) on top of each other. That will make it much easier to remount the rails.
I have my 4 new rails still sitting here in my "to do" pile. So please keep us updated on how the install goes, so I can learn and copy your success!
take care
Hi,
Yes, I'm interested in the rails, can-do the drilling.
Anyone else want a new caprail, bowsprit? I do.
Thanks!
Marc
sv/'Trinity'
Marc Welcome to the site!
The replacement rails were made by one of ou board Members (Don Woodruff). If you would like to have him make you a set, you may want to contact him directly through a PM or Email and work something out.
I can tell you that I am extreamly happy with the replacement rails:quality and price.
Good luck
A couple of years ago, a company in the Vancouver, Canada area was ready to make new handrails for me.
They were called West Coast Teak Products at westcoastteak.com
But the web site seems to list other products now and has no contact info.
I'll check further.
I haven't put my new Grab rails on the boat yet, as I'm waiting to repaint the topsides. I am very happy with the ones Don made for me.
Garner, have you installed them yet for a Photo?
Rich,
I have not made much progress... I am going to try to find the time this weekend to drill the forward rails. But until the weather warms up a bit, I will not mount them..
Don,
Is there any chance you still have the patterns? I know mine are old and worn thin. I would love to get my hands on some new ones, but this was the most recent conversation I found on the hand rails.
I have the patterns hanging on my wall. I would need to price out the teak if you are interested.
Don Woodruff
I am very interested, and would be happy to pay you upfront, as I know you need to get the materials. I'll shoot you a seperate private message with my email, so that you can let me know how much, adn where to send the check.
Thanks
JT
Teak hand rails are available thru
http://www.drmarine.com/products.asp?cat=387
Just received mine and they are the exact same.
I do have to say that I got mine from Don, and after a great deal of work figuring out how to replace those stupid long screws that pearson put in, they went on beautifully, and look great. In fact, my hand rails were featured in an issue of Tell Tales (our local sailing rag) about a month or two ago (envious neighbor in a Shannon that is being rebuilt).
The secret to the screws is to buy new ones, along with matching "sex bolts" (Yes, that is their actual nomenclature). You cut the \screws to the exact length you want, and then use a roto tool to cut the ends, and the grinder bit on the roto to round the threads. They feed right in and the sex bolts capture them almost instantly. I did my first one (forward) using the old bolts and nuts, and it took 1/2 day. I then bought the new bolts and nuts, and once they were all measured, did the other three in about 2 hours.
Yes Sir ! ! !
The screws Pearson used would make a peacher loose his religion. Determination is the key to this project, (but the hand rails look great).