Cabin roof handrails

[Mike Motti]

A former owner overtightened the cabin top handrails on my 90 Mack. This caused a small crater around several of the bolt holes, which caused leaks, which caused the wood to rot. I plan on drilling out the holes until I get to good wood, but if I do that I can't use the original handrails. Probably the same person welded a bracket to each rail for a bridge. The stainless is now discolored. I am thinking of new handrails with wider stock. Maybe 1 1/2" instead of 7/8" Anyone know of a place to get custom handrails? Thanks.

[Holty]

An easy fix would be to find some 3/8 Stainless fender washers and lay them down first. If the SS washers appearance would bother you make your own out of 1/2 in starboard in the seafoam color.

regards Holty

ps...this thread should be in tips and mods or general conv. :D

[Mike Motti]

Holty: Thanks for the response. I would have posted in another forum if I was more computer literate. The SS washers would work, but I worry about how they would look. I can't use Starboard because I only have 1/4" of thread showing inside the cabin. Anything thicker than a washer and I couldn't get a nut on.
I am really trying to talk myself into buying a tower. Currently there is only a GPS and a VHF antenna up there, but I would like to have a spotlight and radar someday. Also maybe put an inflatable on the roof. Current setup doesn't allow for anything like that. Plus it's ugly. Thanks again. This forum is the best thing about owning a Shamrock. Can't imagine trying to work on this boat on my own.