Since I've had my 309, I've always felt there was a lack of well-placed handholds in the cabin. It's especially dangerous when you need to go below under way in anything but a flat sea. Over the years, I've been looking at how to remedy this while still maintaining the "look" in the cabin, and came up with some ideas this winter that I finished implementing today. I added a single-loop teak handrail to the bulkhead between the main cabin and the head; a white padded handhold in the head; and a vertical stainless grab rail on the corner of the galley. The latter was the most challenging, as it must be able to withstand a hefty side load if a person grabs it while falling, and the ceiling there has a complex shape due to the slope of the cabin and the the molding to accomodate the companionway slider. The rail is heavy-wall 1.5" OD 316 SS; I got it (and the 316 SS flanges) from a supplier of architectural handrails online. I fabricated round spacers out of Starboard (1/4" bottom, 1/2" at top) just larger than the stainless flange; I scribed a template of the ceiling shape and used a router and belt sander to shape the blank to the template. The spacers are screwed into the counter and ceiling, and have a 1-1/2" hole in the centers to accept the rail (rail extends from the counter surface to the fiberglass ceiling), and then the flange screws extend through the spacer and the counter/ceiling (six screws total at both top and bottom). It's really solid - don't think anyone could pull it loose! It's perfectly placed to assist getting up and down the companionway, as well as working in the galley.
Also finished the Maine Sail polish-wax process on the topsides today (compounded last year, so at least that wasn't necessary). Launching on Tuesday!!
Also finished the Maine Sail polish-wax process on the topsides today (compounded last year, so at least that wasn't necessary). Launching on Tuesday!!
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