running boards amidships?

[DaveC426913]

For our upcoming canal & lock cruise, I hope to make going forward a cinch, not just for me, but for the Admiral as well. She'll be on the bow fighting with fenders and boathooks in the locks while I man the helm.

We will likely have the dodger up, so footholds are at a premium amidships. I find it is very easy to misstep, especially coming aft after having been forward, and having to step down from the cabin to the cockpit coaming. (The Admiral is a short one, with short legs and bad knees.) There's winches and cleats and dodger buckles to do all sorts of nasty stuff to you.

I have a vision for running boards that run along each side of the dodger, just a couple of feet long, ideally tilted inward a couple of degrees, to provide a super solid foothold during this - often panicked - traverse. I haven't really figured out how to actually attach them yet.

Any seen anything like this?

[bscott]

I have toyed with the idea of installing s/s bathroom 3-4' handicap shower/tub hand railings to extend the width of the cockpit combings for hiking out. They might work with some non-skid for your app.

Bob

[bartmac]

We had the same problem....dodger and front bimini get in the way of going forward....so we now roll up our V berth bedding and go inside to go forward thru the front hatch

[seahouse]

Nice idea, Dave.

Maybe you have already done this too, but we are adding (teak) handrails that run along the outside of the dodger to make passing it a little more secure. (Have them already made, but didn't get a chance to install them last year).

It might help make your step pad even safer to use.

-Brian.

[DaveC426913]

I'm definitely going to install handrails on the dodger, I just haven't figured out how yet. There's no attachment points without cutting holes in the canvas.

[DaveC426913]

We had the same problem....dodger and front bimini get in the way of going forward....so we now roll up our V berth bedding and go inside to go forward thru the front hatch

I'd thought about this, but frankly that's a pretty tight squeeze, esp. when you're in a hurry. I'm spryer than the Admiral, and I've got to go in head first, then do a 180 onto my back to come out the hatch. It's kind of exactly like a baby in the birth canal. (Guess what industry the Admiral is in...)

[Seapup]

I like the idea of adding room to maneuver but just can't see how it would actually work, especially if it has you stepping out past the lifelines.

having to step down from the cabin to the cockpit coaming. (The Admiral is a short one, with short legs and bad knees.) There's winches and cleats and dodger buckles to do all sorts of nasty stuff to you.

How about a simple 1 or 2 steps from the bench up to the roof Possibly top step level or slightly lower than the roof so you can step on it behind the dodger. Maybe even temporary storage inside. Also maybe raise the rear stantion with a knob to hold on to. if I am scrambling a lot I leave the cockpit cushions off one side, much easier with firm footing than onto a cushion.

Also for the canals and locks here fender boards make things much less stressful and easier. You can do fine without, but they keep you well away from everything and let you slide up/down/forward/back easily. A simple 10' piece of PVC pipe hanging from the stations is all I used.

[Boblee]

Don't know anything about your locks over there re protocol, abrasiveness or traffic but here the ones I have done it is fairly easy to have the wife up front and fenders (4) already out on the side required with (long) lines ready fore and aft, shouldn't be need for a boat hook but would have it ready in case, only time we had a problem was with the barbeque which protruded too far and had to be watched on the concrete sides.
Have not done an upstream passing yet which only means you have to pass the ropes higher to attendants, our biggest problems in the Murray River has been getting out into the shallow water after being 3-5m higher especially if the attendant doesn't want to open the gates fully, we also have a dingy to attend too.

[DaveC426913]

I like the idea of adding room to maneuver but just can't see how it would actually work, especially if it has you stepping out past the lifelines.

No no. Inside the midship rails. (If bow rail is pulpit, and stern rail is pushpit, then midship rails are... what? armpits?)

I just mean a foot board about 5" wide that comes out from the dodger. Covers clam cleats rain gutter, etc.

How about a simple 1 or 2 steps from the bench up to the roof Possibly top step level or slightly lower than the roof so you can step on it behind the dodger.

Possibly, though I have no idea how I'd secure it.

Also maybe raise the rear stantion with a knob to hold on to. if I am scrambling a lot I leave the cockpit cushions off one side, much easier with firm footing than onto a cushion.

Both good ideas.

Also for the canals and locks here fender boards make things much less stressful and easier. You can do fine without, but they keep you well away from everything and let you slide up/down/forward/back easily. A simple 10' piece of PVC pipe hanging from the stations is all I used.

PVC pipe. Hm. More compact than the giant piece of plywood usually recommended.

Do you leave that up for the duration of the trip?

[arvid]

I have bypassboards of hardwood clamped on top of the tuberails outside the hood Its very functional

[DaveC426913]

I have bypassboards of hardwood clamped on top of the tuberails outside the hood Its very functional

Pix?

[Sea Wind]

Here is a good source for installing a dodger handrail:
http://www.sailrite.com/Installing-Coll ... trut-Video

[DaveC426913]

Thanks! That's exactly what I've been imagining.