Additional grab rails in cockpit for heavier weather - ideas

[ohana]

Just back from 2 weeks cruising on Scotland west coast. Mixed weather, had 3 occasions where had to beat to windward in a steady F6 gusting high end of F7. Interesting sailing in open waters, learned a lot about the boat in heavier weather. Boat is a SO 439, 2012 vintage.  

The mid and forward end of the cockpit was safe to transit in these conditions with the sturdy table providing good hand and foot holds. However, aft of the wheels, there is much less to safely grab if you are moving around which is concerning. The grab rails forward of the wheels are too low, there is nothing on the aft end of the table and the wire lines connecting the port and starboard pushpits are too flexible to provide a stable hand hold. I have a plotter mounted on a scanstrut pod with a ball type swivel mount on the table and I was worried at times regarding its vulnerability. 

i am considering fitting additional grab rails and was wondering if anyone else has addressed this problem, and what the solution was. I am thinking of two things, would likely do both. First is to replace the top wire line connecting the pushpits with a rigid stainless pole which is removable in port, but provides a rigid rail at sea. Connections for this would need some thought.  The second is to fabricate and fit a stainless steel grab rail at the end of the table, welded directly to the stainless steel table frames, and shaped to go over the plotter pod. This would protect the plotter and provide a grab point.

I would welcome thoughts and ideas on this! 

[iancymru]

I think the rigid stainless pole across the back instead of the wire a good solution as well as one covering the plotter. On the pilot boats I use the grab handles are whipped with paracord for extra grip and they have manilla 1 inch diameter tails about 1 to 2ft long with a wall and crown knot in the end (a bit like the handholds suspended on the ceilings of the tube)  connected to hand holds to give a bit of extra reach as you go from one to the other. I use these on my boat when it rough by connecting them with dynema soft shackles to the hand holds either side of the steering consul  and on each corner of the spray hood I know they not rigid but allow you to get from handhold to handhold with out letting go of the boat. They work really well when sat below spray hood and stepping around it and can be put where you need them.. I also have a long piece (about 8ft) of manila (1 inch diameter) with a splice at each end which I stretch from the pushpit using the topping lift which gives another rigid vertical hand hold which can be used when on the wheel. These do not replace the handholds but compliment them by filling in the gaps. The long one on the topping lift halyard (or main sail halyard) is really useful at anchor when connected to a fitting on the swim platform and tensioned with a winch for a decent handhold to get in and out of the dinghy. I now using man made manila as it still very grippy but easier (much) to splice and seems pretty resistant to algae and uv. Think you need a rough trip to see where you would benefit. 

[deepblue]

When I installed a pod at the end of the table the small grab handle located there had to go. Found that we used the pod for hanging on to instead. Not what a pod is designed for. Had a large tubular, 2 inch, U shape grab handle made that goes over the pod and allows it still to move freely. It's bolted on the original spots of the lower one but the flanges are elongated to provide movement space for the pod. Topped it of with the original maplight by cutting the original flange of the old handle an welding that on the new one. It is in use for 8 seasons now, no problems so far, not bad since it has me at solid 100kg hanging on to it.
Greetz

[ohana]

Deep blue - Sounds interesting, any photos you can share?

[jdl01]

We added a 18" high hoop over the gps screen on the aft end of the table, bolting it to the outer ridges of the centre section of the folding table. It has proven invaluable, a perfect grab point between the two small wheel guards. We are considering a removable top rail between the two pushpit pieces. Let us know how you fair with this idea.

[ohana]

Thanks for this, again, any photos available ?