Uses of Grab rails

Elessar

Member
Two very DIFFERENT questions...

1. What are the grab rails MEANT for?

2. What do you use the grab rails for?

Cheers!
 
Re: Grab rails

I think they are for grabbing in roll tacks and (I've heard) stopping ropes falling out the cockpit when capsized.

But I use them for hiking in light weather, or quickly putting my feet under if I miss my toestrap. I don't use them for grabbing at all.
 
Re: Grab rails

Have you ever been hiking out hard and all of a sudden the wind dyes, hardware breaks, or the wind shifts and you need to get in the boat fast? Your main instinct is to grab the hiking strap but usually it is too far away. The grab rails are perfect to "grab" since they are right in between to gunwale and the hiking strap..... There ya go haha
 
Re: Grab rails

I don't grab the grab rails when I get a huge lull I just use my mainsheet and my legs against the inside of the cockpit.

And I broke my toestrap yesterday... and there was no chance I was going to grab anything in that shorter time. =P
 
Re: Grab rails

It would not be possible for an ordinary mortal to get back into the boat without them after a capsize.

I use them for that, and I also put my toes under them for less than full out hiking.
 
Re: Grab rails

I use the grab rails when roll tacking/gybing.

They've saved me a couple of times when I've managed to grab them just before falling out.

Useful for hiking off in light winds too.

Useful when climbing back in after a wet capsize.
 
Re: Grab rails

I use the grab rails when roll tacking/gybing.

They've saved me a couple of times when I've managed to grab them just before falling out.

Useful for hiking off in light winds too.

Useful when climbing back in after a wet capsize.

Concur!
 
I found out today that my grab rails are actually there to hold the PFD disruption screws. PFD disruption screws are designed to abrade and eventually tear right through any fabric they touch, including safety equipment like the nylon-covered safety panels in most life jackets. To work properly, they must be backed out of the rail at least half-turn, though I have seen lots of people rigging their screws to be flush with the rail which completely defeats their cutting ability.
 
I found out today that my grab rails are actually there to hold the PFD disruption screws. PFD disruption screws are designed to abrade and eventually tear right through any fabric they touch, including safety equipment like the nylon-covered safety panels in most life jackets. To work properly, they must be backed out of the rail at least half-turn, though I have seen lots of people rigging their screws to be flush with the rail which completely defeats their cutting ability.

:) I bet Bruce Kirby didn't think of that.

Next time out, I will bring my screwdriver to follow up on his wonderful suggestion. :)
 

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