Bar Over Companionway

[BrianW]

On my 1994 H26, there is a bar over the companionway (see photo). Is this bar standard on H26's, or a modification? It's a great grab bar while going below or up onto the deck. I'm getting ready to replace my companionway cover, and I see the old cover has an indentation for the bar. If the bar is standard, then the standard cover would also have the indentation in its design. If not, I'll have to have the cover custom made. Thanks for y'all's help! BrianW

 

[BrianW]

That bar also allows me to install the cover as an awning while the companionway sliding hatch is open. I run the cover over the bar and secure the end of the cover to the Bimini support. This is especially good during a rain. The cover will keep most of the rain out and still get some air flow inside the cabin. BrianW

 

[Stu Jackson]

Brian,

Hi. What difference does it make whether it's standard or not, other than the cover.

ITWMB, here's what I'd consider:

If you like it, keep it. If you don't want to spend the extra $$ on a custom cover, then you have a choice to make. You could also consider getting a standard cover and just have the cutouts made locally.

Think outside the box, sometimes it's not either / or.

Your boat, your choice.

Good luck.

 

[BrianW]

Stu, the simple question is.... Is the bar standard? I'm definitely gonna keep the bar. The only decision is whether I order a pre-made one from this site's store. Or have one custom made. If I have to have a pre-made cover customized, I might as well have the whole cover custom made. BrianW

 

[twodzusfittings]

I googled your boat and did not find any pictures of the bar shown on your boat. Therefore I assume, right or wrong, it is not a standard item, more of a custom made. Having said that, I see great opportunities to ad a custom made dodger and incorporate that bar into the design. May I ask, how sturdy is that bar, as the picture is not able to show how its attached. Apart from entering the slide rail capping, is it fixed anywhere else?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Brian not standard but measure it and ask the SBO to check with the manufacturer of the companionway or top cover when the companionway is up for the measurements of the bar.. I wonder if that bar is form the companionway cover?

 

[justsomeguy]

I googled your boat and did not find any pictures of the bar shown on your boat. Therefore I assume, right or wrong, it is not a standard item, more of a custom made. Having said that, I see great opportunities to ad a custom made dodger and incorporate that bar into the design. May I ask, how sturdy is that bar, as the picture is not able to show how its attached. Apart from entering the slide rail capping, is it fixed anywhere else?

I thought about the sturdiness also, as soon as I saw the photo. Wouldn't suck to add a reasonably well-anchored supporting leg extending forward, would it?

 

[BrianW]

Ok, I took a closer look of the slider track with the bar removed. There is a molded socket within the cabin top/upper deck to contain the bar's base and still allow the sliding top to to slide past it So, it HAS to be factory-made. The bar is very sturdy. It will hold my 220-pound fat-assed body while I do chin-ups! It also has very good strength while pulling at a 90 degree angle. A screw through each leg of the bar into the cabin top anchors the bar.

 

[BrianW]

Crazy Dave, I tried calling you first, but the phone number I have for you didn't work. I figured either you forgot to pay your bill, or you moved! Then, I remember you had moved! BrianW

 

[BrianW]

The bar slides though a hole in the slide capping, and through the molded socket in the roof, and then rests on top of the main roof/upper deck. The above molded socket encloses about half the diameter of the bar passing through it. A screw through the bar and into the cabin roof secures the bar to the roof. I'll send a photo of the old companionway cover to this site's store and ask if their cover looks like mine.... with the cut-outs for the bar. BrianW

 

[twodzusfittings]

So am I to understand the holes and attachments are built in at the factory and the bar maybe an upsale. That would make sense. (Just like a car I bought years ago. Electrical passenger side mirror was extra, but the area was pre wired, so that all they had to do was to remove the capping and pull the wire and plug up, attach into the already motorized mirror, install and replace the capping and secure with a screw. And the upgrade was $450.)

So if that's the case, maybe there is more. Do you have any snap fittings forward of this bar? Any other holes or attachment areas. I bet if you dig deep enough you'll find the answer. Let us know what you find out.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Believe it of not; In Italy that's where they hang the Salami, garlic and onion bag. It stops the bugs from entering the cabin!!!!!

 

[BrianW]

I can't say whether it was an upsale or just a short-lived design. The socket is molded into the entire upper deck section of the boat. I'd probably bet on a short-lived basic design. I bet there are a bunch of early H26's with a socket under a solid slider capping until the deck mold was modified. BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

It is Standard

It is for the "Camper Top". There is a cover that snaps on all the way around the companionway.

 

[BrianW]

Shoulda known my buddy on the Gulf Coast would know! ...... Or did you just make that up! ? BrianW

 

[BrianW]

Rick, do you know how the camper cover differs from a standard companionway cover? Just wondering if I have one and didn't know it! BrianW

 

[DJN51]

Looks like the same bar for the camper top on my 23.5

 

[BrianW]

DJN51, would you happen to have a photo of your camper top? Thanks, BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

I will Look for a Picture

Right now I have to go change the oil and do the brakes on the wife's car.

Try searching for a picture of it on the net. I am certain there is a picture of it on the sales brochure.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

brian w

davecondon@mindspring.com