Bow Pulpit / Stern Rail / Push Pit

[Tony G]

If the wall thickness is 0.10 or greater it can be a real bear to deal with on anything but an actual bender.  The thinner walled tubing, which is still unbelievably stiff, can be bent on a conduit bender.  Better yet, if you really have to do it yourself, is to build a simple bending jig so you'll have some control over the angles and radii.  Once upon a time I had a plan for one that I found in a marine fabricator catalog.  If I can find them I'll post 'em.

Sometimes it really is cheaper to the professionals to do it.  Or the pre-professionals a.k.a. Vo-Tech students.

[mrgnstrn]

Well, for those so inclined, there are places who manufacture them:

Tops-In-Quality in Michigan:
~$500 plus shipping
http://www.topsinquality.com/

Svenson's in California
http://www.svendsens.com/metalworks/products.html

And I have quotes from Two folks in Annapolis, one for $1500, one for $2200.

Seeing no quick and dirty solutions nearby...I am exploring doing it my self.
Like epiphany I plan on riding the learning curve a while til I get the hang of it.
Luckily, a 12' section from West Marine is only $60......So I can afford screw it up a few times before I am in the hole (compared to my other options).

And the wall thickness is only 0.049"  (49mils)...so it shouldn't be impossible to bend....it just needs more skill than braun.

I am thinking of using some MDF cut into a form, and then with the edge routed to conform to the roundness of the tube.  And I, too have heard of the trick of filling it with sand, which I plan to do.

If anybody in the peanut gallery has ideas/pointers/pitfalls, I welcome them.

Here are two pics of what I am considering:
One has four fittings total.

The other has only two fittngs,with two additional bends.  
I haven't decided which.  I am thinking that if I am proficient enough to make the gentle curve along the back of the boat, and the two bends to point the top rail forward, the two more bends to point it toward the deck should be no problem.  except that they are out of plane, and gosh you would hate to screw that up after getting the rest of it just right

I await comments......

[ebb]

Probably throwing a wrench in here, and I see that Svendsen's does NOT do this - but Theis, maybe it was, pointed out on an old thread that his sternrail BOWED UP across the stern, parelleling the taffrail.  Instead of flat.  It did look great!   Class!

[Mike Goodwin]

I have helped out in a boat canvas shop . We had a cool bender mounted on the wall, you rolled the tubing thru it in several passes while tightening the curve. Pack it with sand and don't forget to put the fittings on before you bend it . I have bent them with conduit benders , takes practice to get right . After you get it all together , get it welded .

[c_amos]

On my 'to do' list is a vist to the fabricator.

  I like the do it yourself approach, but plan to at least price what I want before I launch into it.

  I have been looking at a few pictures here, and there are some different designs.

First, we have all admired Geoff's Uhuru;

[c_amos]

A more simple, elegant approach was taken on Houdini's stern;

[c_amos]

And then there is Sailor Tom2's 'Ariel' which is the more basic design that has been reinforced for the wind vane.




  I really like all three, and appreciate the benefits each offers.


  I like the simplicity of the more 'uncluttered' look, and the lesser weight penalty it brings but also want a sturdy place to mount a solar panel.... and my grill.... (maybe even my 2hp dink motor....).   :eek:

[walberts]

I am thinking about adding a pushpit on Haabet (#133).  Does it have to be custom made?  I saw a couple of pre-fab models in the Defender Marine catalog.  If any of you have had a pushpit fabricated, what were the specs you used?  Were there any problems?

[Bill]

The Deck Layout drawing in the manual shows where Pearson placed the lag bases for the stern rail.

[Mike Goodwin]

I'm bending one next week! Heavy wall 1" stainless tube .

[mrgnstrn]

I gave up the idea of bending one myself after doing the math and figuring out the parts and pieces cost....and my labor.

I went with Tops In Quality.  Greg worked with me to make it come out right, and in the end it Fit like a Glove!

I will post a picture when I get chance.  

If you are interested, I can try to find the measurements I sent them.

[Mike Goodwin]

Math, we don't use no stinking math. Just put it in the bender and match the pattern!

[Tony G]

I really wanted to go with TIQ.  They are the real deal, but, with the real price tag too.  Besides, it always more fun to spend twice as much to do something yourself.  If for nothing else, just to say you did it yourself.

Mike, we demand pictures.  You're holding out on us.  Let's see the bender, let's see the pattern, and let's see the tubing.  What's 'heavy wall'?

[Mike Goodwin]

I will document the entire event . Heavy wall ss tube has a wall that is twice as thick as regular . Pick up a 24' section and you know right off if it is regular or heavy wall. that is all we use for dodger & bimini frames ( I just started working again with my wife's old company ) and we make boat interiors and all outside canvas products . Be sure to use 1" tube also.

[mbd]

I'll be following this thread with interest.  I'll be in the market for a pushpit myself soon!