Removable High deck Rails

[Bull Hunter]

My concept is to make the high deck removable. One idea that I have is that I think it will make the boat a tad bit more usable for salmon fishing if I have access to the back at the floor level. I like the deck for reasons like storage, having clear access when I have a big fish on and it makes for dandy crab pot storage.

I have been struggling with a design for a removable guard rail though. I would have the the high rail with the high deck and then a lower rail if the deck was removed. I have thought about a few different ideas.

One is to weld a stud to the boat and either slide and clamp the rail or bolt directly through the stud.

The second idea is to weld a machined female piece that would accept the rail and clamp it.

The final idea is to use the premanufactured rail supports that you see in the yacht magazines. The problem there is they are stainless. I would seperate them from the aluminum with either neoprene or nylon or something like that.

Does anyone have something similiar that they can share?

Thanks,

Eric

[Jedcraft]

My concept is to make the high deck removable. One idea that I have is that I think it will make the boat a tad bit more usable for salmon fishing if I have access to the back at the floor level. I like the deck for reasons like storage, having clear access when I have a big fish on and it makes for dandy crab pot storage.

I have been struggling with a design for a removable guard rail though. I would have the the high rail with the high deck and then a lower rail if the deck was removed. I have thought about a few different ideas.

One is to weld a stud to the boat and either slide and clamp the rail or bolt directly through the stud.

The second idea is to weld a machined female piece that would accept the rail and clamp it.

The final idea is to use the premanufactured rail supports that you see in the yacht magazines. The problem there is they are stainless. I would seperate them from the aluminum with either neoprene or nylon or something like that.

Does anyone have something similiar that they can share?

Thanks,

Eric

You might consider no rails when going without the high deck. I have a 23' NR with no rails. All previous boats had rails but now after having none I really like it. Easy to get in & out of and easy to bring fish & crab pots in over the side. My net doesn't get caught on the rod holder mounts anymore. NR has about a 4" raised gunnel and the Scotty rod holder mounts work great on there. Only thing is I wish the mounts were on the outside instead of inside.