bow rail
 

Ok ....... I admit it ......... I'm a newbie ......

I want to replace my bowrail with an open front bow rail.

I know I can buy the tubing and the components that will allow me to use the same mounts but I want to know what kind of shop do I need to go to to get the rail bent to match the bend in my existing rail? Or how do I bend it myself.

Thanks

Rick

Re: bow rail
 

Couldn't you just take a sauzal to the existing rail and wala!~ you have a open front rail ;D

Re: bow rail
 

I took my center section out w/a pipe-cutter just forward of the upright, then put INSIDE caps from the hardware store ... but if you want a reely factory-lookin' job, and yer near the coast, find a T-top maker ;) ...

Re: bow rail
 

I could but I wanted to keep the old one intact incase I didn't like the open front for some reason

Re: bow rail
 

Just cut it off and if you dont like the looks then have a new one bent then you may have no cost at all.

Re: bow rail
 

TAKE IT OFF, TAKE IT ALL OFF.
Sorry thought about the titibar.

Re: bow rail
 

I removed the middle also and capped it off. looks factory nice. I also cut the two mounting pipes down to 51/2" (front) and3"(middle) then took a couple inches off the rear so the rail would again fit in the rear rail fitting. I just lowererd the whole thing several inches. It was easy to do. you dont have to remove or relocate the mounts! gives it a nice low profile look, but still plenty useable. I can send you pics if you like.

Re: bow rail
 

Welcome to the site schmahl, of coarse we want pictures (their expected).
Look under "How To" topics or post stuff and these guys will help.

Re: bow rail
 

Some of te old sea dogs around the boat yard say to fill the tubing with sand. This will prevent the tubing from getting kinks in the tubing.

Re: bow rail
 

thanks for the welcome. This is a very interesting site with lots of great info! I have owned my v20 about 5 years now and live in Vancouver, Washington. I have never seen another one here in the portland/vancouver area. Somehow mine found its way out here. It handles the big, fast, choppy water of the Columbia river very well. I take her out salmon/sturgeon fishin almost every weekend. I will get some pics up soon. I have really enjoyed looking at all your boats. Lots of great ideas out there and the pride of ownership is awsome. I had no idea there was such a loyal following!

Re: bow rail
 

Glad to hear yer "V" handles the famously notorious Columbia well ;) ... what kinda power ya got on 'er??...



Oh yeah, Schmal ... how'd you find us way out there ?? ...

Re: bow rail
 

Ok, I think I got this picture thing figured out... Here are a couple pictures of my bow rail modification.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...yphotos138.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...yphotos139.jpg

Re: bow rail
 

Nice rail modification.

Wow what an anchor.
Is that for wreck fishing or just plain anchoring?

Re: bow rail
 

8) Its called a columbia river anchor and its the only thing that will hold you on that river which is where I spend most my boating hours. You have to slide a 2' diamatr buoy down the anchor line to retrieve it. Its a little tricky but very ingenious once you get the hang of it. It is a must have for us here!

Re: bow rail
 

shorten bow rail looks nice. I feel the factory height is to tall, and me, personally, don't like how it looks completely removed. Chopped down like that......now your stylin'!

Re: bow rail
 

reelapeelin shes got a 200 merc. I have to get a better picture posted. I found you doing a search on google looking for wellcraft info 8)

Re: bow rail
 

nice boat schmahl, thanks for the pm

Re: bow rail
 

thanks phester. I posted with a little more detail in the mods section as you suggested 8)

Re: bow rail
 

Sorry, Schmal...ya got 200 Merc posted in your signature ::) ... my dumb!! ;D ;D ... yeah, pop us up some more pics if ya got 'em ...

Re: bow rail
 

I spent 13 years with IBEW local 26, so my advise would be find an electrician, any journeyman worth his salt shoud be able to match the bend and also be able to determine the angle you want and have the equipment to bend it for ya. remember 5,6,8,11 these are the take up( amount of shrinkage) when you bend a 90* bend on 1/2 3/4 1 1 1/4 inch pipe with a hand bender. Realy not harnd just have to be sure not to scuff the bright while bending it.

And welcome to the show

WOW I gave advise, does this mean I've arrived LOL

Re: bow rail
 

Yeah, Dreamer...you're here!! 8) ...

Hey, will SS pipe bend w/one of the conduit benders that electricians use?

Re: bow rail
 

It will to a point. The wall thickness usually dictates if it can bend, too thin and it will kink. I wouldn't try more than a 45* angle. As far as warping to the boat, two trees close together will do wonders.

Re: bow rail
 

I got rid of the bowrail. No regrets but, am more careful forward of the cuddy hatch. I like your mod tho'.

Re: bow rail
 

Thanks Guys

Schmahlworld ......... great job ....... that looks like what I want to do ........ what did you use for caps and where did you get them?

Dreamer ......... yes bud ...... you've awaken ....... welcome aboard .......... thanks for the advise ......

I want to bend the rail to match the bends that are there now ....... just like in Schmahl's picture ...... gentle curves ..... nothing even close to 45 degrees ...... and capped just like his ........

Once I figure that out then I have to figure where to put a 3d battery and run the wires but I think that should be easy .........

Thanks
Rick

Re: bow rail
 

SOME people on this board drive hundreds of miles for a bow rail. :o

Re: bow rail
 

No ....... that's a bowel rail ........ ther's a difference ;D

Re: bow rail
 

Keep that to the leeward side will ya... :D

Re: bow rail
 

with a good hand bender and some patients you could bend anything 0.5 to 360* I'd worry about popping of the chrome plating.

Re: bow rail
 

I've got a hand bender but I still don't know what I'm doing ..... I need to find someone in the Baltimore area and pay them a couple of bucks .....

Re: bow rail
 

A friend of mine a few years ago went to his local Midas Shop and they bent it for $10

Re: bow rail
 

Well, describe what you want and I'll see if I can't help ya out. I bent tubing ranging from 1/2" - 6" for years. Know any electricians?

Re: bow rail
 

I was thinking that I would buy the tubing and the connectors to use the same mounts as the existing rail to duplicate the existing rail but without the front section.

To do this I need to duplicate the curvature of the existing rail. Everything would be exactly the same except the rail would end about an inch past the last mount on each side and capped.

To do this the bending would have to be done at the boat or I could take off the rail and the bending done somewhere else.

Thanks

Rick

Re: bow rail
 

Hdere is what you need!! This is CB's boat when he had it, I had a guy here that was supose to sell me his when he took them off, He contacted me a few times and disapeared??

But here is wellcraft Oringal rails off a CC

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...ellcraft_3.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...llcraft_13.jpg

Re: bow rail
 

Oh Yeah !!!!! ...............

.... THAT"S EXACTLY what I want !!!!!


EXACTLY ........

Re: bow rail
 

Hey guy .......... could use your help ....... I'd like to get them bent just like the ones in Macoejoe's post ....... are you around the Baltimore area?

Thanks

Rick

Re: bow rail
 

btt