Adding Stern Railings

[James Shawlin]

I am interested in adding rails to the stern of my boat but really unsure how proceed (Mounting etc). I have seen pictures of other 23.5's and know that it is possbile and can be done.Can anyone help ???

 

[Bob Howie]

Brief bit on "Push" Pits

First, you might check to see if anyone is currently manufacturing stern rails/push pits for a H23. Go grab yourself a copy of the 2002 Sail (Magazine's) Buyer's Guide. It's a good reference and a good place to start. Pre-made v. Custom made is always a preferable route, expense wise.If you can't find them elsewhere, I am sure in Maryland you can find a fabricator experienced in stainless steel -- and you want stainless steel and NOT polished aluminum or something chromed or whatever. Actually, chroming polished stainless might have some value from a protect-the-finish standpoint, but I doubt it.Anyway, you can expect to spend about $1,000 to have stern rails made-to-order. And, since you might be looking at that kind of price, you might as well make them modern and have the catbird seats built into them like whats on the newer Hunter and other models. They make a nice perch while underway.In fact, you might try talking to White Water Marine -- they are listed in the Sail Buyer's Guide on page 234 with display ad at bottom of page that shows just what you are looking for with note about doing O.E.M. work -- at (810) 987-4837.That should give you a good start. Good luck.

 

[Ray Bowles]

James, We have found that the stern rail seats

and rails that came on our 95 H26 to be the absolute best "add on" item a Hunter owner can put on his boat. We can sit on them and very easily see over the cabin top and we run the tiller with a tiller extension from the seats. I also have added additional line cleats where the original stern side aft cleat was on a special bracket I built and fitted in this area. I can now run the entire boat from either seat. It's great.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Rick Webb]

Check the Archives

and call Hunter. $650 plus freight.

 

[Charlie]

James they are

The best money I have spent on our 23.5. The only problem is with our bimini. I had lowered the bimini and moved it aft so we could keep it up while underway. The stern seats and the bimini don't mix while underway, but the swap out is acceptable.The stern rails and seats were bought from Hunter and are very easy to install with just a drill, screwdriver, socket wrench and sealer. It does require cutting the lifeline ends and re-swadging new ends on. When doing this I swadged pelican hooks to the ends that hook to the stern railing so this section of the lifeline can be used as a gate for easy access. Before I did this I reversed the lifeline so the turnbuckles are attached to the forward pulpit. This is necessary so the lifeline tension can be adjusted easily. After installing the turnbuckles forward I covered them with anti-chaffing tape to eleminate any problems with tearing the jib.