Just bought a 423. It does not have a rub rail which will make me nervous. Any experience installing one? There are several sizes available through parts dept at Beneteau. Solid backed SS is pricey. 1.5" or 2" wide? Any alternatives? Any experience having one installed by a boat yard? Cost?
Rub rail on a Beneteau 423
- Thread starter jimpohl
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A number of 423 owners have installed them. You may want to post the question on the 423 yahoo site. It has about 500 members.
We've had our 2006 423 since new and sailed it extensively throughout the great lakes - haven't had a need for the rail. In a harbor with pilings we just use a rafting fender. FYI you'll love the boat
Tony
We've had our 2006 423 since new and sailed it extensively throughout the great lakes - haven't had a need for the rail. In a harbor with pilings we just use a rafting fender. FYI you'll love the boat
Tony
Where is your home port? We are out of Muskegon on LK MI. Have to sail her back from Cleveland. Big adventure for us.
We sail out of Catawba Island Club about 80 miles west of Cleveland. Send me a PM and I can fill you in on both your boat and your trip. BTW what was the name of the boat you bought?
We bought miss Higgins. It is currently at Parker Marine. It was at a Cleveland YC but do not know the name. It was owned by a gentleman who didn't take it out a lot. We plan on going to Put in Bay. Have not been there in years. We were originally from Cincinnati. Can you make it through the St Clair river in one day? I understand the current going through there is tough
I know the boat - first 423 on Lake Erie. We have sailed the west end of Erie for 20+ years and up through Mackinaw/North Channel multiple times. So I can advise you on ports and alternates especially with the low water that Huron is experiencing. On your immediate question St Clair river is challenging but manageable. Most people stay in Windsor or Grosse Pt and then go all of the way to either Port Huron or Sarnia. It is a full day 8-9 hours. Current depending on the time of year and the side of the river ranges from 1.5-2.5 kts. You'll have a stretch of several hundred yards under the Blue Water bridge where it tops out at about 4.5. Still all very manageable. Depending on your previous stop the longer trip may actually be the trip up the Detroit river.
Tony
Ps my email address is ajachnycky@yahoo.com
Tony
Ps my email address is ajachnycky@yahoo.com
I posted my rubrail install here:
http://forums.beneteau.sailboatowners.com/showpost.php?p=983635&postcount=21
If you are going to install a rubrail, do it right, do it once - use solid back SS strike rail. Best price I found was up your way - Marlette, Michigan.
Good luck!
http://forums.beneteau.sailboatowners.com/showpost.php?p=983635&postcount=21
If you are going to install a rubrail, do it right, do it once - use solid back SS strike rail. Best price I found was up your way - Marlette, Michigan.
Good luck!
Thanks Capt. And Gunni. I am just looking at Navionics on an iPad. I am kind of shooting in the dark so any input maybe will minimize our stress and make it more fun. Fear of the unknown and all. I figured it at 599 nm all told. Here was what I was looking at last night. Don't have a Ports of Call book for Huron but will get one. Was thinking about setting up the Saint Clair river from Swan Lake Boat Club. Is it called the St Clair River south of Lake St Clair? Was thinking of bearing west on river past Bob Lo Island Marina. Is that the Livingston Channel? Past Stoney Island to port, Fighting Island to starboard. Should I stay in the shipping channel in St Clair Lake? Is it doable to go from Swan Lake BC all the way through the river to stay at Lexington City Marina that night. Did you say 8-9 hours from one end to the other in Lake Huron? No depths listed for Lexington or Sanilac. I have a draft of 5'8" I believe. I was looking at Sanilac and Harbor Beach and depths looked like 3-4'? Is that possible? I was thinking of running up the west coast of LK Huron. Are the marinas shallower there than on the Canadian side? We are getting a lot of snow in Northern MI. Go lake levels. Thanks you for the advice, I really appreciate it. Thanks also to Gunni with the info on the rub rail. I doubt I will get to that this Spring but will probably do something about it next year. Really looking forward to our Spring adventure.
A few thoughts. Great Lakes Cruising Club is a great resource for navigation including harbor charts for virtually every harbor in the Great Lakes. Very inexpensive for what you get. Plus access to port captains you can call for local knowledge.
On Lake Erie from Cleveland head to Middle Bass Island or Kelly's Island taking the south passage. You then leave early to head up the Detroit River to Lake St Clair. Going up the Detroit River the UP bound channel is the river on the right. The Livingston Channel is the DOWN bound channel for the river. If you take the Livingston Channel you'll be going against the freighter traffic plus the current can be as much as 1 KT higher not to mention you'll get to see freighters up close and personal. Both channels meet up just south of Fighting Island.
Once you stopover in Lake St Clair you then go to either Pt Huron or Sarnia. There isn't much on the St Clair river plus this is a trip you want to get done in a day.
FYI what may change your schedule and itinerary is Lake Huron. Last year we were holed up in Sarnia while we were waiting for the winds to subside. 15 - 20 out of the north created 8-10' waves on the nose - not a comfortable ride. Heading north I generally build in one weather/layover day a week.
Based on personal experience you will not be able to get into harbor beach. Virtually everyone anchors inside behind the breakwall by the lighthouse. Take the east entrance into HB turn right and you'll find a very large anchorage area. Bottom is mud/clay so good holding ground.
Port Sarnilac had the depth for our 423 last year - you may want to call them. The issue is getting from the mouth of Lake Huron to Harrisville. Sarnilac is a nice stopping off point but then the distance between that harbor and Harrisville is a long journey especially since you have to cross Saginaw Bay which can get ugly. Most cruisers do Sarnia/pt Huron to Harbor Beach anchor out and then leave early for Harrisville. Although if you go to Pt Sanilac you may be able to get into East Tawas.
Once you pass Harrisville you have several convenient ports. Our next stop is generally Presque Isle then Cheboygan and St Ignace. PI is a very deep harbor.
Hope this helps.
On Lake Erie from Cleveland head to Middle Bass Island or Kelly's Island taking the south passage. You then leave early to head up the Detroit River to Lake St Clair. Going up the Detroit River the UP bound channel is the river on the right. The Livingston Channel is the DOWN bound channel for the river. If you take the Livingston Channel you'll be going against the freighter traffic plus the current can be as much as 1 KT higher not to mention you'll get to see freighters up close and personal. Both channels meet up just south of Fighting Island.
Once you stopover in Lake St Clair you then go to either Pt Huron or Sarnia. There isn't much on the St Clair river plus this is a trip you want to get done in a day.
FYI what may change your schedule and itinerary is Lake Huron. Last year we were holed up in Sarnia while we were waiting for the winds to subside. 15 - 20 out of the north created 8-10' waves on the nose - not a comfortable ride. Heading north I generally build in one weather/layover day a week.
Based on personal experience you will not be able to get into harbor beach. Virtually everyone anchors inside behind the breakwall by the lighthouse. Take the east entrance into HB turn right and you'll find a very large anchorage area. Bottom is mud/clay so good holding ground.
Port Sarnilac had the depth for our 423 last year - you may want to call them. The issue is getting from the mouth of Lake Huron to Harrisville. Sarnilac is a nice stopping off point but then the distance between that harbor and Harrisville is a long journey especially since you have to cross Saginaw Bay which can get ugly. Most cruisers do Sarnia/pt Huron to Harbor Beach anchor out and then leave early for Harrisville. Although if you go to Pt Sanilac you may be able to get into East Tawas.
Once you pass Harrisville you have several convenient ports. Our next stop is generally Presque Isle then Cheboygan and St Ignace. PI is a very deep harbor.
Hope this helps.
Thanks again for the local knowledge. It helps a lot. Go to the current Boat US mag to see articles about Great Lakes cruising. Go to www.boatus.com/magazine. Go to North Channel insert. The current issue also suggests the Great Lakes Cruising Club also. We are planning a trip to the North Channel last week in July and first week in August.
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