Source for New Grab Rails?

[Sailormon6]

My C&C 35' Landfall needs new teak grab rails, and the ones on my boat are sized differently from those that are commonly available. The loops are further apart. Does anyone know where I can order teak grab rails that fit a 1983 C&C 35? Thanks.

[Sasha_V]

Why not make them yourself. It requires a grand total of two power tools and a cordless drill. And it is a really fun and satisfying project.

You need a hole saw for the cordless drill, a couple of drill bits and one of those cheap grindstones that fit into the drill chuck (they sell them ina box of different shapes and colours by the counter of the hardware store) and a bolt that you are going to grind into the seating tool for perfectly rebating and countersinking all of the bolt holes in your grab rails.

A router (a cheap one costs about $40, but it is usefull owning a decent one that will last you for years) and a large rounding bit (it is one of the bits that comes standard with most cheap routers you buy, and while it is not of great quality, it will do this job with ease)

A jigsaw or saws-all and wood-cutting blade.

And like the bought ones, you will need: A few sheets of sand paper, wooden plugs or filler for the bolt holes and varnish or oil to finish off

That's it. And the nice thing is that you make these in matched pairs, you automatically get two rails everytime.

I did a "how to" article on this for our local sailing site and club newsletter. I can dig it out for you if you are interested.

Sasha

[Sailormon6]

Thanks for the reply, Sasha. I might have to make them, and I can either use teak, or I know where I can get some nice mahogany, which I used previously to make a new tiller, but ready-made grab rails would be a convenience, if I can find them.

The old ones got very thin from years of sanding, and one of them was damaged in removing it. My tools are in another state, so I can't make them at the moment. I either have to put the old ones back on until I can make new ones, or find ready-made replacements.

I need 6-loop rails that measure 12" from loop to loop.

[rsteinberg]

Take a look at Don Casey's article titled 'Getting a Grip' here on Sailnet. It explains how to make them yourself. Great explaination and drawings. I have a C&C 33 that has handrails with a 21.5 inch loops. No way to buy them. Took me about 10 hours to make a pair of 10' handrails. And mine are much stronger than the originals.

[jeffyham]

It worked for my C&C 40

Teakflex,teak,handrail,adjustable,grabrail,

[Sailormon6]

That's a neat idea! It says the rails are easily removable. How are they secured in place, and what do you have to do to remove them, for refinishing?

[brianbourgeois]

These guys are in toronto but they ship worldwide.
Canoe kits, kayak kits, marine plywood, okoume, BS1088, cedar strips, west system epoxy
hope this helps Brian b