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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
Most likely there are not a lot of spare Super Sailfish handrails laying around, so I offered to make a replacement. We measured the rail at 3/4 inches thickness, 41 inches long and 1 5/8 inches tall. Most likely the originals were mahogany, for this project I chose red oak, because that's what Lowes had in stock, ready to buy. I forgot to measure the height before I went to Lowes, so I guessed, as it turns out I can cut 2 rails from this 48 inch section that is "4" inches wide (actually measures 3 1/2"). There are host of other woods that could be used, in the future we might make a few from cypress or ash.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
For this rail I took the oak out to our SS MKII and traced the profile with pencil onto the wood. Then I came inside and checked some basic dimensions with a caliper, like how wide the screw bases were, how high the rail stood and how tall the cutout areas were. The pencil tracing was off a little along the top, so I marked off 1 5/8 inches then redrew a straight line using a straight piece of wood as a guide.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
I cut out the entire piece using a jigsaw. Next time I will use a table saw to cut the straight part of the top edge, that will make a straighter line. Remember your goggles and hearing protection.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
Sanded the edges with a rando orbital sander, 120 grit to give them a nice smooth feel. Our edges are not as rounded as the 50 year old original, we left some room for them to age :) While I was sanding I decided to refinish the rails ou our SS MKII, they were pretty crunchy.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
We used our rail as a template on where to drill the holes. When I drilled the holes, I put a scrap piece of oak under the new rail so that the drill bit would not blow out (tear out) the back side of the hole, couldn't show that here because I only had two hands. You can see the crusty patina on Sweetness' old handrail.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
The original rails used a #10 bronze screw that was countersunk. I copied that with a 3/8 inch bit for the head of the screw and 5/32 inch bit for the threads. Next time I'll use a drill press, it was hard to control the exact depth I wanted by hand. Or skip the countersink. After holes were drilled we applied a coat of Minwax clear Polycrylic, it will protect the wood and let the grain show through. Polycrylic is water based and very easy to clean up.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
The new handrail has shipped, and Sweetness has newly varnished handrails.
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| From Small Boat Restoration 2013 |
27 Jun 17:
Made some more handrails, made a set for the 11'7" Standard Sailfish as well, its handrails measure 28 inches. Used the pattern to set the table saw and cut the plank to height.
Traced the Standard Sailfish handrail profile with Winnie as the model.
Cut the ends. Rounded the top edges with a 3/8 inch roundover bit on my 30 year old Makita router.
Cut out the handholds.
Sanded the edges with 120 grit.
#10 bronze wood screw specs.
#10 Combination countersink and pilot bit.
Finished up with a set of Standard Sailfish handrails. Also made a pattern.
If you'd like to order a new handrail, click on the Paypal Buy Now link below. The handrails will be cut from rot resistant cypress and shipped without a finish, so you can finish as you like. Please select the appropriate handrail for your type Sailfish. The 11' 7" Standard Sailfish has a smaller handrail than the 13' 7" Super Sailfish series. Standard Sailfish handrails are 28 inches long and Super Sailfish handrails are approximately 41 inches long.
Question for you:
ReplyDeleteUnder the rails where they are fastened there should be backing blocks correct? I cut a hole in the center, about 4 inches towards the rear from the dagger (to install inspection port) and I can't access the rails under the boat (due to high density foam supports). I don't have any backing blocks under where my ails were. I just wanted to make sure whether I needed to do some heavier surgery.
Thanks,
-Sid
On a fiberglass boat yes. On a wooden boat they screw into the deck and into the side plank.
DeleteAre your rails still for sail?
ReplyDeleteGreat. I will order two rails. What would you suggest for filling in the holes on the deck so the rails can be screwed in securely?
DeleteIf the screws are a tad smaller then the originals, you could use plastic barrel screw shims.
DeleteI finally ordered two rails! I need the ones with three loops. Thanks, Charles
DeleteGreat, going in the mail Wednesday morning!
DeleteKB
are your sailfish rails still for sail? (wish I could do it myself, but that would be a disaster!)
ReplyDeleteYes, but only in cypress, a beautiful rot resistant wood that I can get locally.
Deletegood to know - I'll probably order within a day then :-) Thanks for answering so promptly
ReplyDeleteAlso, how long does it take for you to make it? shipping?
ReplyDeleteThey are done on my days off so about a week. $65 a piece. Shipping is $15, to Continental US. It is all added up on paypal to $145. Do you have the handrails with 3 loops or two? The 3 loop handrails like the ones shown above are used on the 13' 7" wood Super Sailfish and 13' 7" fiberglass Super Sailfish MKII. The two loop handrails go on the smaller wood 11' 7" Standard Sailfish.
DeleteThanks, Clark. I'll need two loop handrails to go on the smaller wood Standard Sailfish (I think they're about 40" long - does that sound right?)
ReplyDeleteI just ordered the handrails but noticed a second too late that the shipping address is for my home address, not where I need them shipped. Could you give me your email address so I can give you the correct shipping address privately? Thanks.
DeleteThese are beautiful - thank you!
DeleteGreat!
DeleteI can make handrails for the small Standard Sailfish as well, they are approximately 28 inches long and have 2 loops (handholds). Please let me know when you order.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Kent
Do you still make the hand rails?
ReplyDeleteYes, we make them out of cypress, 2 different sizes.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, the original rails are sligtly bowed to follow the contour of the deck, i am thinking on steaming them to gain flexibility, any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHi depending on what the rails are made of, they should bend without steaming as long they are not a dense hard wood. Cypress and oak will bend fine, just start a screw at one end and work them into position one screw at a time.
DeleteHi - great job on you new handrails. Are you still making them, or do you have a leftover pair of 41" Super Sailfish Handrails?
ReplyDeleteIf so, please reply and I'll send payment right away.
Thanks,
Pete
Pahpahpete@comcast.net
Yes we currently have used handrails.
Delete