Bow rail or no bow rail ?

Hi all.

I’m in the process of giving my new tub a refit ( 28 ft Bruce Harris Shark cat ) . The bow rail is a little wonky from a previous owners attempts to fix it and it’s showing evidence of water leaking into the forward cabin. There’s a stress free anchor winch in the anchor well that can be accessed from the cabin escape hatch if needed so going out on the deck is not really necessary to be doing anchoring stuff. I’m thinking of removing the rail altogether and filling the holes with epoxy to eliminate the water leaking in the front cabin. The deck is a no go zone whilst we’re under way so I’m thinking that losing it all together would be my best option? . My old boat ( 5m centre console , for sale !!!  ) never had rails and I never felt the need for them to be on there . Your thoughts would be appreciated . Andy , I haven’t forgotten you ! 

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 My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....

 


Posts: 1522

Date Joined: 09/03/13

 for me I prefer a rail. 

Tue, 2019-09-24 06:49

 for me I prefer a rail.  your situation a bit different but occasionally fish from the front of my boat and have had many times just standing up there watching whales, manta rays, and whale sharks up in the coral bay area.  

Posts: 1097

Date Joined: 19/06/14

True

Tue, 2019-09-24 07:47

I forgot to add that I’ve got a flybridge for sightseeing !!!

Looks like the rail is going to be history very shortly .  

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 My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....

 

sea-kem's picture

Posts: 14826

Date Joined: 30/11/09

 Ha ha all good mate. If you

Tue, 2019-09-24 09:45

 Ha ha all good mate. If you need help with anything let me know.

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Love the West!

z00m's picture

Posts: 1086

Date Joined: 10/05/14

Rail

Wed, 2019-09-25 07:36

 I recently thought about ditching my bow rail as well. Then when I was launching the boat the other day I realised how many times I grab the rail to push off, or straighten the boat going onto the trailer. You mentioned your boat is a few feet bigger so might not be going on/off a trailer but handling around the docks could see the rail come into use? 

Posts: 1097

Date Joined: 19/06/14

Rail

Wed, 2019-09-25 15:17

Its more of a pain in the clacker when at the pen . There’s still going to be dirty big cleats up the front to tie off to . When docking the midships springer goes on first followed by the rear line ( boats snugged in nice by now ) then the bow line is tied off last . She’s having a date with a grinder in the next few days ... :)  

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 My wife understands why I clean my rods n reels in the shower....