Bow Pulpit / Stern Rail / Push Pit

[Bogle]

I'm in need of a stern rail for a number of reasons.  We have a bow pulpit, no life lines, and no stern rail.  I'll be using it to mount a ring bouy (maybe a LifeSling 2) a PVC pipe propane container, etc.

I want it to "fit" the Commander's lines.  Any suggestions toward saving money.

David Bogle

[jean #56]

if you would like, i can send drawings and photos of the original stern rails for a commander. they are not only good looking but fairly easy to have made.(there are only 2 bends to make)

[Al Lorman]

David:

The Commander for sale in Soundings has a simple stern rail.  You can view the photos at soundingsonline.com, then search for Commander in the "keyword" space.

[Bogle]

Jean,  That's a very generous offer and making my own always sounds attractive to me.  I'll try to find your e-mail to send you my info.  Sorry, I did not check this thread for a while.

David
bogle@bway.net

[Mike Goodwin]

Is the rail for the Ariel the same as the Commander's ? I don't have one and want one too .

[Mike Goodwin]

Actually it is called a 'pushpit' , the one on the bow being the 'pulpit ' , just put my pulpit back on today .

[Bogle]

Mike,  they must be the same because the boats are the same back there.

I've sent an e-mail to KatoMarine.com (where s. Airing had his made) requesting a quote.  Hope they still have the measurements....  I'll post if I hear back from them.

[Bogle]

Kato Marine was found, contacted, and pressed for a price quote.  They said about $1600 would buy it today, and that they would need the boat (mine) to use to tack the base brackets.  They could not come to New York, and I can't go to them..

I did get a quote from Tops in Quality, however, for around $250 for non-welded, and $500 for welded rail connections (bases are all non-welded.)  They can put some camber in the transom rail like on yours, S.Airing.  That is a nice touch.

Next year, or later in the season I will revisit this improvement.

[Fred Gignac]

I am trying to install a bow pulpit (original had been removed) on my Ariel (#394, 1967).  Recently, one of the members was working with Tops in Quality and some dimensions were available.  When I checked those dimensions on my boat, they seemed close, but not exact.  Does anyone if those dimensions worked successfully, have dimensions that have proven successful, or have manufacturer's data available?
Also, I am considering installing a stern rail, and, again am looking for manufacturer's data or someone's dimensions that have worked successfully (on an outboard version).  Thanks.

[Mike Goodwin]

Fred,

Most good canvas shops that make dodgers can make it for you . It need not follow a measurement , just the lines of the boat . The stern pushpit is easy , you can do it with a tubing bender yourself .
Make a practice piece out of electrical conduit first .
Fill the stainless with playsand before you bend it ( keeps it from kinking ) and fittings should be slid on before bends are made , they wont go around the turn . Get it like you like it , mark the lineup of the fitting with a sharpie marker & take it to the welder to make permanent .
Taint brain surgery .

otherwise be ready to shell out $300 for each .

[Bill]

The deck hardware drawing in the manual has the desinger's foot locations for the bow pulpit and stern rail.

[Theis]

My experience getting a bow pulpit was not easy, and the dimensions had to be incredibly precise.  The major problem related to the angle of the deck.  The plates that hold the pulpit on the deck are precisely angled for the tubing.  The tolerances are incredibly tight.  I had to send mine back once and even then it became a press fit.

The second thing about the tubing is that it is stainless thick wall.  That, as I understand it, is not an easy job and requires some specialized gear (the mfgs of the pulpits will explain that better than I can).
My suggestion is that if you elect to go to Tops In Quality, you mention my name.  They made mine last year.

I don't like the design (The vertical rails are direct backward going up - but that might have been necessary) - but if you get my design, you will have a starting point.

I can also send you my layout and design if it helps.  My objective was to make sure that the pulpit would withstand a) the weight of someone falling/being violently pushed against it, such as in a storm, and have it be rigid and not give way.  Safety to me was paramount.  Secondly, I knew that sooner or later it would become adversely involved in a landing, and I didn't want it bent or to break the deck structure.

[mrgnstrn]

Anybody have experience with bending 1" OD stainless tubing (like for handrails)?

I am trying to not have to buy an expensive instustrial size (and price) bender.

Alternatively, anybody selling a stern-rail for the Ariel?

[tcoolidge]

If you find a source for a ready made stern rail, please let me know.
Bending stainless without the right (and expensive) tools is an iffy proposition at best. Might be worth checking with your nearest trade/technical/vocational college to see if they have the technology to do it as a project in their metal shop.
Tom

[CapnK]

I'll be doing the same.  One idea I've had to make things simpler will be to bend two "U"s, mount them along the toe rail port and starboard, and connect them across the back with slide-over-the-tubing mechanical connectors.

Did you check at a Rent Mart to see if they had a tube bender you could get for a few days without buying one? I've been meaning to call on that...

I figure I'll ruin some before I start getting it right. One thing I've seen suggested is to fill the tubing with packed sand before bending - this is supposed to prevent the tube from collapsing.