17' Aqua Sprayrails

[nate44]

Has anyone put sprayrails on their 17', if so did they work? do you have a pattern or source to get them? material used?location you placed them on your boat?

thanks

nate

[MarshMarlowe196]

I'm about to put some spray rails on my 19-6.  People keep asking me why I'm not using the boat lately since it's not that cold here during the winter; but I know how wet this boat can get and that just makes for a miserable time during the colder months.

I ordered some aluminum angle that measures 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 1/8"thick.  The spray rail doesn't need to run the length of the boat, so I only plan on mounting them as far back as from the bow to the console and painting them.  I'll let you know how it works.

[LilRichard]

Personally I would avoid aluminum because you need something that will flex with the hullsides.  See the write-up on my 222 rebuild - I used a PVC spray rail that I countersunk bolts into and bolted/glued to the hull.  It has held up well, and does what it is supposed to do.

[MarshMarlowe196]

LilRichard-  I think you're right about not using Aluminum.  Although it is flexible, it doesn't seem as flexible as it needs to be.   What kind of PVC did you use (angle? pipe?)?  I notice you said that you bolted it on-  how did you get to the backside of the bolts?  Do you have any pics?

Thanks

[LilRichard]

I used PVC built specifically for this, found here:

http://www.barbourcorp.com/marine-products.htm

I had my floor out, so I bolted it through at that point.  See here:

http://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=957&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=120

If you cannot get to the backside, I think I might go the "smartrail" route.

[Marcq]

If you cannot get to the backside, I think I might go the "smartrail" route.

Holly molly, just checked that product out, pretty expensive stuff  

Marc..

[LilRichard]

If you cannot get to the backside, I think I might go the "smartrail" route.

Holly molly, just checked that product out, pretty expensive stuff  

Marc..

Agreed...

[Marcq]

The  PVC spray rail  that you used must have been a lot cheaper! Even if you can not  get to the backside to bolt it trough , I would think that sitting the rail in 5200 with more screws would hold it up ?

Marc..

[71flatback]

5200 and screws will do the job no problem if you cant get in to bolt it

[nate44]

Can you post a photo of the rails installed on your boat?
how long are they?

nate

[MarshMarlowe196]

Can you post a photo of the rails installed on your boat?
how long are they?

nate

I think that if you click on the link LilRichard provided, there might be some pictures of the rail on his post ( I can't tell because Big Brother Fastenal blocks pictures from pic-hosting websites ).  I'll have to look at them later when I get home.

Funny, just yesterday I was telling people on THT that the "smart" rails were ridonkulously expensive.... but they were installing them on their 35' cruisers, so they probably laughed at my thriftiness.

Question:  would the rails have to be through-bolted?  would enough 5200 and some s/s sheet metal screws work?  I just don't see myself pulling up my deck to install a spray rail...

[LilRichard]

I have seen a lot of folks just use screws and 5200, and have not heard of any problems.  I just like to overbuild everything.  Check out the classicmako site, "Dieseldude" rebuilt a mako and added the same type of rail using the glue and screw method.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Thanks for the info LilRichard, barbourplastics has a lot of useful looking stuff  

After reading your post on the 22-2, I'm guessing you went with this style spray rail given the dimensions you provided:



Looks like that one would give you a better/easier mounting surface to work with than some of the others offered... I'm just guessing, but is that why you went with that one?

Since you have some experience with this, I was looking at this type sprayrail from the same company:



Is there any reason why I should not go with this one?  Looks like it might be a little harder to install with fasteners...

Thanks bunches.  

[LilRichard]

It was really a toss up between the two, I just liked the look of the more squared off rail.  I also liked that it had a little more sufacr area, and could really be installed two ways (wider or narrower end against the hullside).

One big recommendation, use a drill press to counter-sink your holes... set the press a a certain height, then go to full extension each time.  Saves you time (and mistakes) because you don't have to worry about under/overdrilling.