Adding handrails to hardtop

LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,062 mod
in Rinker Express Cruisers Forum
Has anybody ever added more safety handrails to a Rinker hardtop?  How, and where did you source the parts?

My 370 has really nice curved handrails on both sides, located at aft edge of the hardtop side.  However, if you are walking aft along the gunwale, there are no handholds until you get all the way to the stern.  It needs a second handrail along the forward edge of the hardtop side.  Also, when you enter the cockpit from the foredeck through the windshield, a small handrail on top of the hardtop would be really helpful.

The hardtop is a 2-layer fiberglass structure.  I'm guessing I'd have to drill a 1" access hole through the inside panel, through-bolt the handrail into the outside panel using 1" washers for strength, and then use a white plastic plug to cover the 1" hole on the inside panel. 

Anybody know where to get 7/8" stainless handrails that would match the boat?
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Comments

  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    http://www.towersunlimited.com/

    One source for you.

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,062 mod
    I didn't find a grab rail that I liked, but then I had a blinding flash of the obvious -- get them from Rinker.  I emailed Cindy Scott (cscott@nauticglobalgroup.com), and she gave me the part number for the rail used on the back of the hardtop.  They can be bought through any Rinker dealership for $160 each.

    Part no. 220Q829 

    It's the 18" straight rail shown in this photo.

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  • explore7425explore7425 Member Posts: 150 ✭✭✭
    I have the same boat and I don't think a lot of that stuff is thru bolted. 
    Bella Sabrina II  370EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,062 mod
    Yeah, the VHF antenna was thru-bolted, but the light staff was not because it's mounted just outboard of the access hatch.  I took the screws out and thru-bolted it because I wanted to move the VHF antenna to that position.

    The boat really does need a second grab bar on the side of the hardtop.  It would make it much safer.  
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