J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Hand Rails

The previous owner of Velocity Girl removed the deck mounted hand rails. I know that they fit with the inside handrails essentially like a sandwich with the deck being the peanut butter and the rails being the bread. Sorry about the goofy symbolism. My problem is finding the rails so I can replace them. I was hoping they would a standard part I could find somewhere, but I have had no luck so far. I don't really want to pay for a custom set but will if necessary. The boat looks cool without them, but as you all know climbing around that deck when it is windy and you haven't flattened the boat out yet can be like climbing a mountain. Thanks for any help in advance!

HHSA
Velocity Girl #278

I looked for these last year, but no luck. I think they are a custom size. If you are redoing the deck, go with a standard size, fill in the old holes and drill new holes. I think that's what I'll end up doing. I patched the old handrail in the interim.

I looked, you can still get them from the original wood people... think its H&H? BUT they are about 300 bucks. Go with the west marine ones, plastic on the top, new wood on the inside...thats about $100 for all 4.

Thanks I will check out both options. I have the wood inside and they are in great shape. Will the west marine ones line up withe the holes for the original equipment?

HHSA
Velocity Girl 278

I received the following from GG Schmitt & Sons [mailto:info@ggschmitt.com]for a custom pair of elliptical 3/4" x 1" x 60" handrails with blind mounting, cost for the rails $125.00 each rail or $250.00
for the set plus shipping costs. The rails would have 1 intermediate
support. Lead time would be 3 to 4 weeks.

Mine are a little soft. I've seen some boats go with the stainless rail option. My Dad also did this on a major refit of an older Cal and they turned out great/much more secure. Before I track down his stainless fabricator, has anyone done this and have a supplier they were happy with?

thanks,
- Jeff

I have two sets and neither fit. You really have to be careful because of the crown that is on the coach roof - straight handrails do not work and stainless does not bend that well. I had a person here in Marblehead make a set but we still have to work with them to get them to fit. This is a winter project. But when I get them setup I could probably get him to duplicate them.

David

That sounds interesting. Let me know what your guy wants to do. I would be interested in the stainless as long as the price is not too up there.

Thanks for all the input folks!

HHSA
Velocity Girl
Hull #278

just received from cmi marine a set of 7/8" dia 316 stainless steel rails tapped for blind mounting price was not the cheapest but quality good and excellent customer service contact fred caldwell @ 7813370733

I replaced the hand rails on Nordic Star with locally fabricated ones made of starboard. A photo is on my blog at http://sailnordicstar.blogspot.com/