I was at a dealer today and saw a couple of new 2005 Hunter 216's with the optional hand-holds on the sides (three per side, six total). I could see that they would come in useful if you were leaning out. Does anyone else have an option about the hand-holds?
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The real name for 'em is grab bar...
And they should be standard equipment, not optional...'cuz they're not hiking aids, but as the name "grab bar" implies, their purpose is to provide something to grab and hold onto while on the side decks or going forward.
And they should be standard equipment, not optional...'cuz they're not hiking aids, but as the name "grab bar" implies, their purpose is to provide something to grab and hold onto while on the side decks or going forward.
Hand Holds on the 216
I have them installed on our 216 and did so because they had them installed on their boats down at the Bitter End. Before putting them in, I could see several occasions where we would have used them but since installing them, we've not used them at all. We typically sail with a crew of three with the skipper handling the tiller and the mainsheet. This leaves nothing for the center crew member to hold on to when hanging his backside over the rail. The hand holds are useful then but adding a length of line from the aft end of the centerboard cylinder would probably work even better. Be forewarned, although they are dirt cheap, they are not the easiest things to install as an after market item. Much more important, at least I think, is the addition of non-skid tape to the floor of the cockpit.
I have them installed on our 216 and did so because they had them installed on their boats down at the Bitter End. Before putting them in, I could see several occasions where we would have used them but since installing them, we've not used them at all. We typically sail with a crew of three with the skipper handling the tiller and the mainsheet. This leaves nothing for the center crew member to hold on to when hanging his backside over the rail. The hand holds are useful then but adding a length of line from the aft end of the centerboard cylinder would probably work even better. Be forewarned, although they are dirt cheap, they are not the easiest things to install as an after market item. Much more important, at least I think, is the addition of non-skid tape to the floor of the cockpit.
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