New Cabin Grab Rails

[PGIJon]

The grab rails on my cabin top needed replacing.

At first I purchased a pair of railing that didn't even come close to matching the existing ones. I was going to epoxy and gel coat the existing holes and install the new ones. I kept putting it off until I came across a post about a company called Plasteak.

I gave them a call and immediately chopped my old rails in half and UPS'ed them to Plasteak. In less than 2 weeks they made an exact copy of them for $1 and inch. It's not quite as nice a real teak, however, with no maintenance required, it looks perfect to me.

I post a picture when I install them later this week.

-Jon

 

[SailormanDan]

They look good to me also Jon, looking forward to a photo of them installed.

Do they seem as stiff or sturdy? Not a huge consideration, I use mine more so I don't slide off the coach roof while I'm adjusting the main, not as an actual handhold.

One more thing for the list!

 

[PGIJon]

They are semi-flexible (kinda of like a plastic) and seem to fairly sturdy. I installed the first set this morning at gave it a good yank. It held well!

On our H34, the rails bend and because of the material it was super easy to flex these during the install. The drill holes were perfectly lined up. I used Maine's Butyl tape for the install. I'll upload a finished picture as soon and there are both installed.

 

[Capt jgw]

I just did my outside rails with the same material. Couldn't justify the dollar an inch when I have all the needed tools myself, so I bought the blank pieces for $23 each and milled them myself. Came out quite nice, they don't really look like wood up close but from ten or twenty feet they look pretty good. Big advantage is they'll never need refinishing.

 

[PGIJon]

Hi Capt. Not having much experience with wood making, what tools did you use to make the rails? While I'm good with saws, I just got my first router... Thanks Jon

 

[Capt jgw]

Table saw, jig saw, and router table. Light touch up sanding at the end. I mounted them with long lag screws from underneath.

 

[PGIJon]

Table saw, jig saw, and router table. Light touch up sanding at the end.

Thanks! All I'm missing is the Table saw, jig saw and router table! Maybe Amazon will have that as part of the Prime Day.....

and all this time I thought someone like Kermit would have made a comment about the swan in the background!

 

[PGIJon]

They are now installed.... was raining this AM, so all that I need to do is to insert the plugs on the starboard side. Not sure if you can see it but the rain was beading up on the rails! Yea! 1 less thing to maintain!

Now waiting on new Vetus lens to arrive then the nonskid... then new portlights... then.... and then.... and all the time loving it!

-Jon