Are Railing Screws Fastened Beneath the Deck?

[Samuel G. Kramer]

I am replacing the port quarter railing on my 2002 26X. It looks like I can simply take the existing screws out of the two ends with a big screwdriver, but someone suggested I look from inside to see if the screws are actually bolts fastened from inside. I crawled back the the far corners of the aft berth and learned that any bolts that might be there would in inaccessible.Are those screws actually bolts fastened below the deck?Sam

 

[John Dawson]

Railing fasteners

If they aren't bolted with backing plates they should be. Screws are for cheap and fast manufacture, and usually lead to gelcoat cracks and ultimately failure in extreme situations. Bolts and plates are the only preferred method on any size boat. Don't forget the sealer.

 

[Paul]

Yes, they are bolts

They are bolts, and the headliner prevents access. Somewhere on this site, I have read that people cut access holes in the headliner to get to the bolts for the railing and the stern cleats. Do some research before you cut.