are the rails on the 26s 7/8 ? doing a ladder access mod.

[pugetsoundsailer]

getting ready to modify the stern rail, going to add a stanchion so I can remove the section in front of the boarding ladder. Anyone done this mod to the stock setup? I'm picking up my fittings from boatingsavings off amazon, cheap with free shipping. They've got stainless and plated zamak, which I'm unfamiliar with, not sure if I should trust them or not.
On the added stanchion I'm putting a T so I can attach to the exsisting rail and then add a vertical extention to hold my solar panel.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

I have done this mod and can definitely pass on a few tips.

The most important is how to achieve strength for the new stanchions. I have seen many mods that cannot support the weight of an adult pulling on the top of the new vertical. Other mods, while strong, had far too much tubing/braces/etc. for my liking.

I solved this (don't have photos handy but can get later) but drilling holes in the hull/deck flange for the vertical pipes to pass through. They penetrate along the transom for about 20 inches. I located the holes so the pipe could also tie into the reinforcing for the swim ladder (aluminum L bracket).

The result is a totally clean rail with two 90 degree elbows turning the tube downward to where it penetrates the deck cleanly (no flanges, bases or hardware).
I sleeved the vertical tubes internally but it really wasn't needed.

This mod has been tested by a 250 lb + adult hauling himself up by pulling on the top of the tube (tried with each tube separately).

Chris

PS - this was one of the best modes I have made to the boat!

 

[pugetsoundsailer]

I have done this mod and can definitely pass on a few tips.

The most important is how to achieve strength for the new stanchions. I have seen many mods that cannot support the weight of an adult pulling on the top of the new vertical. Other mods, while strong, had far too much tubing/braces/etc. for my liking.

I solved this (don't have photos handy but can get later) but drilling holes in the hull/deck flange for the vertical pipes to pass through. They penetrate along the transom for about 20 inches. I located the holes so the pipe could also tie into the reinforcing for the swim ladder (aluminum L bracket).

The result is a totally clean rail with two 90 degree elbows turning the tube downward to where it penetrates the deck cleanly (no flanges, bases or hardware).
I sleeved the vertical tubes internally but it really wasn't needed.

This mod has been tested by a 250 lb + adult hauling himself up by pulling on the top of the tube (tried with each tube separately).

Chris

PS - this was one of the best modes I have made to the boat!

That does sound slick, If you get the chance I'd sure like to see your setup....... Thanks

 

[Sumner]

Not real sure if this is what you are talking about...

...but I did it out of aluminum. SS would be better in salt water. We are both right at 70 and this has sure helped getting in and out of the boat on land and on the water. Ruth is 5-2 and had a real problem getting past the stern rail. I also added rungs above the ladder which has also really helped in boarding.

One thing to consider (as Chris mentioned) is that someone that is climbing and using the left support especially as a hand hold will put a lot of bending force on it and you need to compensate for that. I added ...

...bracing there and we have had no problems at all. Latter I extended it when we put the solar .....

...up high enough to board under it. With the added height on the verticals now it is even easier to board.

Not sure if you are going to tow a dinghy or not, but the ladder can make a great...

...tow-bar to keep the dinghy from hitting the boat or outboard and works very well as....

... a horizontal boarding platform to and from the dinghy.

You can find all of these mods here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-index.html

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]

Our Endeavour 37

Our MacGregor 26-S Pages

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

 

[pugetsoundsailer]

Re: are the rails on the 26s 7/8 ? doing a ladder access mod

WOW, beautifully done.

 

[Mike B1026]

Pictures of Aft Rail Mod

That does sound slick, If you get the chance I'd sure like to see your setup....... Thanks

Chris' mod is really impressive. It's very clean. I have some of his pictures: You can click on them and see larger images.

https://plus.google.com/photos/1050...s/5893141731556040529?authkey=CNH5jKT38o2NkAE

I'll try to post them here.

 

[pugetsoundsailer]

Re: Pictures of Aft Rail Mod

that is SO totally slick.......... Love it !!!

 

[Chris & Lenore]

Re: are the rails on the 26s 7/8 ? doing a ladder access mod

Excellent! I don't have to go digging for the pics!

I must admit that I was totally freaked about drilling those holes through the hull.

I measured a dozen times and then drilled a 1/8 hole in the center of the location.
A wire inserted in the hole confirmed it was in the correct location.

One thing I forgot to mention is that with a common reinforcement, the force of pulling the vertical rail back is offset to a large degree by the opposite force on the swim latter attachment point.

Chris

 

[pugetsoundsailer]

Excellent! I don't have to go digging for the pics!

I must admit that I was totally freaked about drilling those holes through the hull.

I measured a dozen times and then drilled a 1/8 hole in the center of the location.
A wire inserted in the hole confirmed it was in the correct location.

One thing I forgot to mention is that with a common reinforcement, the force of pulling the vertical rail back is offset to a large degree by the opposite force on the swim latter attachment point.

Chris

yes I see that, that's a good thing....... Hey any suggestions on what to use for piping ?
locat shop wants 8 bucks a foot.........

 

[Chris & Lenore]

8 bucks a foot! Man, I think my local guy wanted $11.

I called every marine shop in the phone book and finally found tubing for $5 a foot. It was at at a power boat place - the sailing shops were the most expensive.
Same with the fittings. I wanted SS, not chromed "pot metal" and the power boat shop was half the price.

Do you have any marine surplus/salvage outfits nearby? I was at one in Florida last summer and they had a football field sized area full of railings, Bimini frames and stuff I could not identify. Price was by the pound and worked out to about .50 a foot.

Chris

 

[Mike B1026]

Re: are the rails on the 26s 7/8 ? doing a ladder access mod

Chris, tell me again the type of drill bit you used. Can you locate a picture of one online?

 

[Chris & Lenore]

I just used a regular 1/8 bit for the test hole. Run it in reverse until thru the gel coat (prevents chipping).

For the actual hole i used a regular hole cutter. There was one size that was a perfect fit for the tube (ever so slightly on the tight side).
I also ran it in reverse until through the gel coat. I then used sand paper on a dowel to enlarge slightly until the pipe was a tight fit through it.
Then I beveled the edges (on the top) with a round file. The bevel provides a "trough" for the sealant (used 3M 4000) so it retains a good seal when things expand and contract.

Chris

 

[patrickfarley]

I just relocated my ladder. I have it on the starboard bow and starboard cockpit. When I beach I can step off without getting my feet wet. When I want to go swimming I attach it to the cockpit and climb over the side.

My ladder attaches to clips attached to the boat. I put some big backing boards behind the clips. I was very large at the time(still big but getting smaller). The clips seem to be holding up very well.

The only time I don't like this setup is when I raft up to other boats. I am thinking about getting a couple more clips and putting them on the stern so I can have the ladder anywhere I want.

I use a canoe as a dingy(fishing platform for shallow water). I climb into the canoe from the cockpit ladder. I attach the center support of the canoe to the ladder. Then climb in and sit down easily.

 

[katana750]

yes I see that, that's a good thing....... Hey any suggestions on what to use for piping ?
locat shop wants 8 bucks a foot.........

I just bought some here
http://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?page=search&eSearch1=tubing

five something a foot, I shipped it through canada post which has pretty silly rates. US shipping is probably better.

The other place I found was here
http://www.downwindmarine.com/Rail-Tubing-Stainless-Steel-p-90891321.html
free shipping but back to 10 bucks a foot.

This place has everything you could think of. With a pretty good tutorial on different types of steel. Just in case somebody is following along and was like me who wasn't really aware there was so much to know about steel.

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=25&step=2