Deck (Cabin top) Grab Rails

[David Grimm]

Hello all, when I purchased my E38-200 5-6 yrs ago a portion of the starbord forward grab rail was missing. It appears that in the past there was a chimney that passed through this area. Now with no chimney or any sign of a stove I would like to restrore the rail. The missing portion is in an area where it would be used often. I always find myself or others looking for a grab and its just not there. The rail is about 13 feet long. Almost impossible to find 13 foot by 1-1/4 teak. Christian Williams had mentiond using stainless as a replacement years ago. Are the teak rails held in with simple wood screws or are they through bolted? Would it be best to oval out the stainless? Through bolt or weld on studs?

Any thoughts?

Dave

 

[Loren Beach]

An older thread on this has pix of a 38 with replacement rails in SS. The owner has passed, and the boat sold, and I have no idea if the current owner checks in. He used an oval section, mirror polished, and I sort of recall that the ends were sloped SS flats, welded on and buffed. The fastenings were countersunk for flat or oval head ss bolts.
The boat was based out of Florida, and retirement-cruising that area.
Some searching may find the thread and photos. I thought it was lovely, and my friend with the stock teak rail on his E-38, thinks it's close to sacrilege.
(I love my varnished teak on the inside, but want none outside in the weather...)
Edit : the E-38 owner's name on this site was CaptRon. I found one related thread with mention of the project, but the old external picture links are gone. Perhaps a further search will find more links. https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/epoxy-to-re-bed-handrails.6599/
And: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/another-hand-rail-thread-e30.6605/#post-42074

 

[Christian Williams]

I would discuss with Railmakers here in SoCal, who may have provided ss rails to Ericson boats in the past.

Replacing the rails scares me because it probably means headliner work inside. But maybe the saloon ceiling rails don't have to be removed. I would examine the far-forward attachment of the exterior rails to check the type of connections. I think many of the grab rail connections are screws into the wood of the saloon ceiling rails, but maybe others are thru-bolted where that's not possible. .

If it looks like a nightmare, and a handhold really is critical where the Charlie Noble used to be, I would consider a non-standard solution of some kind.

Perhaps fill the gap with a short stainless hand grip, of which many styles are available. Then cut the other teak grabrail and do the same on the other side, for symmetry.

 

[Second Star]

If the rails are straight, (on my 28+ they are slightly curved on the horizontal) you can scarf two 8 ft pieces together to make one long piece. If they are curved you might have to either bend them as you fit them to the boat or cut them curved. If cut, the beginning pieces would have to be wider stock than 1.25 in. New grab rails are in my future too so I follow this thread with much interest.