Stern Rail on 26 S/D

[vizwhiz]

To any/all who have the stern rail on your 26 S/D boats...can you please give your opinion...? I don't have them, but think I'd like them to have stern rail seats, a place to mount the grill, hand-hold for climbing ladder into boat, etc. Not sure if they'd get in the way though, or be worth adding.

Are there any of you that DON'T like them, and wish you didn't have them? Why?

Are they something you would never get rid of, essential, have-to-have-them? Why?

Also, how do you handle the "space" for boarding...good thing, bad thing, unnecessary, wish it was different...whatever...

Experiences are also very helpful...please feel free to relate.
Thanks for your input!

 

[katana750]

I have only had the boat for a year, but I really like it. Just for the reasons you mentioned and it is just one more fence to keep the two year old in or at least impedes her for a bit. I have never thought it is something that I would get rid of. Pretty easy to step over for swimming.

Dave

 

[Paul Brinkley]

Don't have one yet,but want one. Bought materials to make one this winter, plan to have it on next spring. -Paul

 

[Sumner]

.. think I'd like them to have stern rail seats, a place to mount the grill, hand-hold for climbing ladder into boat, etc. Not sure if they'd get in the way though, or be worth adding....

First things first....I can't imagine our boat without one. I've seen the stern rail seats on X and M's, but can't visualize them on an S or D. The X and M's are 26 feet same as ours, but when you look at them they are a lot larger boat all around and you enter the cockpit I believe around the sides of the outboard. On a S or D the seats would be in the way of a stern ladder and over the outboard well.

The other thing is that were you are with pilings on docks everywhere I would strongly suggest not having anything hanging out past the stern rail on the sides.

Our...

BBQ is there and we caught it on a piling along with the solar panel above. I rearranged the panels now so they aren't out there anymore. The BBQ still is, but in the west that is not a problem on lakes as there are no pilings.

Ruth at 5-2 had a very hard time coming up the stern ladder and getting past the stern rail before...

...I cut a passage out to go through. Keep that in mind. I'd look or build one with a lower opening there or a gate that opens. I've seen those and would for sure go that route. The ladder and handholds sure are nice getting in and out of the dinghy and working on the boat at home or getting into it going down the highway,

Sum

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[doehunter]

I'm with Sumner,
I couldn't imagine not having mine.
I don't have near as much structure but I'm working on it!
I have a grill mounted on a swing arm where I can sit on the starboard side and cook, and swing it back over the motor out of the way when I'm done.
I have 100 watts of solar panels mounted level with the rail and they stick straight out the back. Leaves just enough room to still use the ladder.
I'm kinda tall so I just step over the rail but I like the idea of a door there.

 

[Dogleg]

I put mine on when I bought the boat in '91 I can't picture my boat without one. I think it dresses the boat up, and it has a swim ladder, fender hanger. attach my BBQ to it, dry towels on it and I set on it when I'm runnung w/ the wind wing and wing I think I would feel funny with out it behind me while I'm sailing ( maybe a security blanket.)

 

[MrBill_FLL]

the ducking under the cross bar is the only problem I see.

but you can improvise with the D rails (rod holders for the grill)

 

[vizwhiz]

Awesome replies...thanks to all! Going higher on my priority list.
The admiral has made a few comments about it, and I've been thinking of how to solve the issues other ways (where to put the grill, hand-holds for boarding, etc.)...when it seems that just adding the stern rails will solve all of those problems and then some! <thumbs-up>

 

[Doc_holiday]

I took the stern rail off my Clipper Marine before I took her to the junk yard. It's only just a little too wide as it is for the Mac but I plan on finding a way to make it work over the winter.