Does anyone use the cabin top grabrails?

[Stan Linado]

I am in the process of eliminating all the teak on the exterior of my '89 C-25 and replacing it with white. I have already made new companionway drop boards out of King Starboard and am in the process of making new railwood for the sliding hatch and companionway hatch trim. It occurred to me that I never use the cabin top grab rails when going forward and was thinking of removing them entirely. Does anyone really use them or are they strictly a traditional ornament?

 

[Stu Jackson]

When you're up on the cabintop, say reefing the mainsail, they make great foot-stops. Besides, they look nice.

Why not take a picture, then photoshop them out and see what it looks like.

Also consider resale value.

Have you asked the C25 skippers on their forum?

PS - we owned an '81 for 13 years. I wouldn't.

 

[Joe]

I think they get in the way.... especially if you have lines led aft. A boat that size...at the very most.. all you need is one strategically placed single hand hold to get to the mast.

 

[hewebb]

I, or crew, have used them on occasion to hold on. I also use them to fasten the sail ties to. They make a good foot stop when heeled over and going forward.

 

[Jackdaw]

I could not imagine a sailboat without handholds for grabbing while going forward. Sailboats aren't always flat. And often aren't at the most inconvenient of times.

 

[Joe]

I am not proposing that hand holds per se are unwarranted... just the teak style that are fixed the entire length of the house. They are often more decorative than functional.... That's why I think many newer sailboat designs are rarely equipped as such.

 

[peter_ms]

You obviously never go forward in big seas. To echo Jackdaw; I can't imagine having a boat without
Peter

 

[Bladeswell]

Hello all,

If you just want to eliminate the teak, replacement hand rails are available in white plastic,(maybe king starboard) and I believe also in stainless. However, I too would not consider total removal of the hand rails. especially if you don't have roller furling head sails. Check out Catalina Direct for replacements. Good luck and good sailing.

Bladeswell

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Use them all the time,and certainly would not want to get rid of them,

 

[JohnCTV21]

What Jackdaw said.
Better to have them and not need them, then to need them and not have them.

 

[Scotty C-M]

When going forward in big seas, it's really important to stay low. The handrails are very useful for this. When I hold on to them it causes my body to be pulled down. Holding onto lifelines, for example, pulls you up and out (not the direction you want to go!!). I would prefer to leave them on.

 

[Joe]

You obviously never go forward in big seas. To echo Jackdaw; I can't imagine having a boat without
Peter

Wow... as an assumption, that's quite a leap.

 

[Bladeswell]

Hello again,

When going forward on the side decks with the boat heeled there isn't much safe purchase for your footing. For that reason, I prefer to go across the coach roof and the hand rails make excellent foot braces. ( Maybe we should change the name to foot rails). I'm sure everyone has their own preferences. But however you prefer to go forward, it would be safest for everyone, ( read that crew and passengers) to leave the hand rails installed no matter the material you decide upon. Good sailing.

Bladeswell

 

[CapitalistSailor]

Stan,

I use the handrails all the time while underway, as in nearly time I go forward when the boat is heeling or moving through waves.

As someone else said, handrails are available in white plastic and probably fake wood.

 

[Linda H]

Removing Grab Rails... I'd never remove them. I am a very senior female, about 5' tall so I need all the grab holds available and also foot stops.. Keep them is my advice.

 

[CaptDon01]

Why are you going forward walking along the side decks with the boat is sailing? Lines are easily led to the cockpit, and you have a forward hatch to get to the foredeck.

Don