Bow Pulpit / Stern Rail / Push Pit

[ebb]

G'mornin Adam,
Often see Tops In Quality mentioned well on the net.
Price, Quality and Quickness.  Haven't used them myself.
You'd send them a foot print if they didn't have one,
but I'd guess they do.  Height of rail is important, and
how high off the deck the loops/attachments for the lifelines.
Some look better than others.  I like the the ones that
follow the taffrail curve, not only out but up.*
Problem would be shipping.  Maybe they have a semi-
knockdown version???


(There's a lot of stuff that can get attached to a stern rail besides the lifelines.  Depends of course on the use you intend for the boat.  Man-over-board pole, life ring, wind vane, get-home-ob, propane tank, ladder, solar panel, stern light, antenna, anchor, etc.  Some of these might alter the design.  Might need to be flat across, for instance.  For sturdiness I think a intermediate rail is needed.)

There have been pictures of Ariel stern rails here on the forum
at least a couple real nice ones
but I have not found them with the search button.


*In near future I'll be able to make some close paper approximations of the two curves, as I'm making a pattern for a wood cap.

[frank durant]

Ebb...don't forget the BBQ off the stern rail.If you're out cruisin...ya gotta have the BBQ. Life just ain't the same without one !!

[Che]

Thanks for the info EBB--
Still looking forward to getting together with you sometime to discuss external chainplates...you are welcome to swing by and see "Che" anytime...I am outfitting the boat for cruising so a Push Pit is indeed key. I will do a bit more research... I May be hauling out over your way in a month or so...Photo Op for sure..Would that be two Ariels and a Triton for the Yard? Thanks


Adam

[mbd]

Adam,

I went with Tops In Quality for a stern rail this Summer. When all was said and done, I am very pleased with the outcome. They had 2 other Ariel measurements on file: Keith's (Username: mrgnstrn) and another. (Now they have three.) Keith was kind enough to email his measurements which I used as a rough guide. In the end though, you need to figure out exactly where you want the bases to land and a miriad of other obtuse seeming measurements, and then measure and remeasure.

My Cost:
$539.50 (WSS-1 type) rail,
$ 25.00 (custom curves like Sirocco's)
and $161.96 (&*%@# shipping to Maine!?!?!? :eek:)
Total: $726.46

It is a ways away from being installed...

[CapnK]

Hmm. Looks like a "pushupit" to me...

[c_amos]

A friend of mine was headed down to the 'stricly sail' show in Miami this week, and was planning to hit a few marine salvage places on the way back.
 
I printed this thread, and a copied a page from the manual that I added some measurements to.  
 
I also printed pictures of A-231's stern rail;
 

 
  I got a call from him today, and he found a set that sound very much like these.
 
  I look forward to getting them!  Thanks to all for the examples.  I am sure I would not have thought to ask him to look for a 2 peice rail had I not seen it here first.  

[mbd]

Good on ya Craig! I would kill for some decent "marine salvage" places in the area...

[c_amos]

I have not mounted the stern rail yet, so I do not have any progress updates on that.
 
  The rail is a lot lik ethe one on A-231, however it is from a much larger boat.  The height is right, but the section that mounts on the stern is a bit too long on each side (they would not only touch, but overlap in the middle).  My plan is to cut the rail where they would touch, and weld the two halves back together to make a standard rail (this will make sense with pictures).
 
  Anyway,  a note on the bow rail.
 
Mine looks just like most of those on the forum, and I assume it is original pearson.  The thing I noticed was that while the tube came down to the deck at an angle (60 degrees?) the tube was cut off square.
 
  On mine the bases were secured to the rail with a rivet in a hole on the back (most bases I have seen use a set screw, maybe these did originally and the set screw was replaces somewhere along the line, I can't tell but if so the original threads have been drilled out.)
 
Anyway, I had noticed that the sharp edge of the ss tube had cracked the fiberglass under the mounting base, as the sharp edge of this tube was slightly proud of the plane of the bottom of the base.
 
  Before I re-mounted them, I removed the rivets and used the dremel to grind the bottom 1/2" off of the sharp 'corner'?  of the tube.  I think this is probably worth doing on any that are constructed like mine was.
 
  Just thought I would mention it.

[c_amos]

Splashed Faith this Saturday.  Had a great sail home, and promptly went to work on other projects.
 
  After much measuring and head scratching I cut the two halves of the rail, (the 1" tubing is DEFINATELY thick wall...) and got them lined up where I want them.  I have a friend who welds stainless and he is supposed to do the deed on Wednesday.  He proposes to Tig them with stainless wire... does anyone know if this is the prefered method of welding 1" stainless tube?
 

The rail is a lot lik ethe one on A-231, however it is from a much larger boat. The height is right, but the section that mounts on the stern is a bit too long on each side (they would not only touch, but overlap in the middle). My plan is to cut the rail where they would touch, and weld the two halves back together to make a standard rail (this will make sense with pictures).

[ebb]

Took a college evening course in welding once.
Any fool can learn how to MIG (except me!)
It takes a professional to TIG -
it's done with a non-melting tungsten electrode and produces those small welds you see on s.s. tube work.  It's a more precise tool requiring good equipment, good eyesight, experience and finesse to use.
Good luck!

[c_amos]

I wish I had a before picture;
 

 
Here the two halves are cut and dowels are holding them next to each other. They were originally a 2 piece pulpit with a ladder in between (use your imagination to put the two pieces on the right back together). I estimate they must have come from a 45' boat. It is thick walled, 1" tubing. I really like the double rail, and think it will be quite solid when mounted on the boat.
 
Here it is clamped together with some angle iron for the first tack welds.
 
The guy did a nice job. I also got him to tack a small peice of stainless into one of the corners (facing aft) to put the stern light on.
 
 

 
I will follow with a picture of it installed on the boat.

[bill@ariel231]

looks great, can't wait to see it installed!

[mbd]

How are those mounted? Is that a single bolt on the bottom of each of those legs?

[c_amos]

How are those mounted? Is that a single bolt on the bottom of each of those legs?

  Yes, each of the legs mount with a single 5/16" bolt.  I have laid up some fiberglass, and will make mounting pads (above deck) and round backing plates out of epoxy coated plywood below, with large fender washers.

[c_amos]

Got the rail mounted yesterday.
 
  Here are a couple of pictures.  Sorry they are not great, I got out the camera right before I left for the day and it was getting dark.
 

 
I built up the mounts with pads epoxied and faired to the deck;
 

 
Here is a close up of the weld;
 

 
  I will try to take more pictures today.