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Bow rails

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 6:51 am
by Aluminum Bomber
Good morning! Long time boater, first time boat owner. I have a 2000 starcraft camp 16ft with a 2 stroke mercury 40hp. I'm looking to add stainless bow rails. I cant seem to find a kit made specific to my boat. Is this common? Or do I need to purchase piece by piece? Any information or direction would be helpful. I'd love to find a place that I can view accessories for this specific boat.

Thanks all!
Matt

Re: Bow rails

Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 8:32 am
by gandrfab
You are not going to find a kit for your boat per se.
You could find all the hardware at https://www.westmarine.com/rail-fittings or other marine hardware suppliers to build your own SS bow rail.
This will still require the top rail itself to be crowned or rolled a local metal shop or bimini top maker should be able to do this for you.

You could have an aluminum one custom made to your boat.

Re: Bow rails

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:17 pm
by Aluminum Bomber
Thank you for the info!

Re: Bow rails

Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:03 pm
by kmorin
AlumBomb,
not sure if this boat is widely used? but only the manufacturer of a given hull would be expected to offer an add-on feature. Add-on's are only profitable if #1 they're widely adopted (say an auto add-on where millions might buy?) or #2 where they address the continued purchase of a successful product.

If the boat has sold millions, not thousands, of hulls (?) then... the OEM may choose to offer add-ons that would appeal to their existing customers?

I think G&R has correctly observed you'll likely be confined to a fab shop that can incorporate off-the-shelf parts to your request.

I would ask why you think a 16'er would merit a SS hand rail? As a long time builder of fully welded aluminum skiffs- not riveted or press formed skiffs: I'd offer you a SS railing system at close to the hull's value!!

[I say that; after building a few hundred hulls of welded aluminum over many decades, and only three less than 18' LOA and as someone who fully understands what is implied by your question.]

Cheers,
Kevin Morin
Kenai, AK