What size screws for hand rails in 37HC

[Art Barnes]

I recently bought a larger boat, a 1979 H37C. The previous owner took off the deck rails (teak) to have the deck painted by a professional. The professional job is beatiful, but the owner never put the rails back on as he didn't like them. I would like to re-instal them for looks and safety. However, I don't know what size screws to purchase, but I assume most are standard though. Can anyone out there give me the size screw to purchase for the installation? Also, what do you call the "top dowels" which you place over the screw to finish the rail off and where do you get them? Any information as to the proper way to install the rails would be helpfull; what size, type, ect. Fairwinds, Art

 

[Tim Schaaf]

"bungs"

I don't know your screw sizes, but the little "dowels" are called bungs. You can make them from appropriate dowels, or you can buy a little bag of them at many chandleries, including, I think, West Marine.

 

[Steve Dion]

Some additional thoughts.

Art;Yes you must use a bung in bung hole. Before you decide what to do with the hand rails consider this. The original handrails where attached with wood screws. My opinion is that these really should be thru bolted. There are a couple of systems to do this. One is Matella, they have a slick system with o-rings that are thru bolted. They can be found at www.matella.com. The other option may be to use Stainless Steel. If you are interested into looking at replacement S.S. rails you can contact TIQ (tops-in-quality) www.topsinquality.com

 

[Ed Schenck]

Art, you bought it!

When were you going to tell us?! My rails will be coming off soon and I will then know the screw size. Ditto the side cabin trim strip. If you have time for the maintenance stay with the varnished teak rails, mine still look great after several unattended seasons. But this will just be another winter project while the boat is out.I'll stay with the screws which I will guess are bronze and at least two inches, one inch into the deck core. Your cabin top is over one inch thick but take out one of those bolts from the mast step and measure. I will drill out the original holes to a larger size and pour in an epoxy/sawdust mix. Then drill a small pilot hole and screw down the rail. The bungs come in a package from WM or USBoat. There's a special blade for cutting those flush so that you do not have to sand and mar your rail. Good luck and keep us abreast of your projects.

 

[Kirk Isakson]

Hand Rails

With the rails off, re-varnish or use Sikkens (WM). I don't remember the screw size, but I used stainless. Be sure to use a sealent with the screw holes. Use the right size wooden plugs, a good sharp chisel and patients will eliminate sanding, also re-varnish or Sikken the plug or the sun will bleach the plug a different color.