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Wilbur Hubbard Wilbur Hubbard is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Feb 2007
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Default Cheapo Handrails


"Joe" wrote in message
ps.com...
On Mar 2, 1:19 pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
"Joe" wrote in message

ups.com...





On Mar 2, 12:52 pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"

wrote:
"Nathan Branden" wrote in message


. ..


I've been tempted to use the stainless steel bathroom handrails
on
my
cabintop. They are those handrails you see in Lowes or Home
Depot,
pretty sturdy bent tubing with only two welds. How will they
stand
up
in a marine environment? They definitely long strong enough and
mount
over a wide area. I just think the boat store handrails are
outrageously expensive and the bathroom ones a much less
expensive
and
even look better.


Nathan


Nathan,


If you own or sail a properly designed sailboat you need no hand
rails
on the cabin top. Hand rails are used only on sailboats that have
side
decks. A proper sailboat has a flush or raised deck. Instead of
walking
precariously along the side decks, on a proper sailboat you walk
on
top
of the flush or raised deck. Here is a picture of a proper raised
deck
sailboat.
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/sailimg/6070/SJ2003.jpg
and here's another http://captneal.homestead.com/files/stbsd.jpg
Note
the total absence of unsightly hand rails.


Wilbur Hubbard


Is this an inproperly designed boat Wilbur?
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...rmarine.com/im...


The Oyster 68 is a competent yacht. However, it would be a better and
more seaworthy yacht if they made it a flush deck or a raised deck.
On a
sailboat that size a flush deck would be the answer because it is
large
enough to have plenty of headroom. A flush deck is much more
practical,
it's easier to clean and move about on. Corners and stressed areas
are
eliminated. It has less windage thus it would go to weather better.
It's
lighter. So, to answer your question it is, indeed, improperly
designed.
If they make a flush deck version then that would be proper and
Bristol.
That particular Oyster 68 is style over substance and practicality.

Wilbur Hubbard- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


What about this 40 footer is it another messed up design?
http://www.theyachtmarket.com/userimages/55213.jpg


Let's just say it is a "poor" design. For one thing heavy teak on the
deck raises the CG and is a maintenance nightmare. Get rid of it. For
the second thing construct the house the full width of the hull. Get rid
of the side decks. They are totally unnecessary. Better to have the room
inside than sacrifice layout options for side decks that only force a
crewman to walk closer to where he will be washed or knocked overboard.

Wilbur Hubbard