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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Oct 2020 : 20:42:55
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Do people feel that a pulpit rail is essential?
I know it's to prevent you stepping off the bow,but I find it gets in the way when mooring.Always mooring rope under when I need it over in a lock,and over when I need it under.Keep bending it on lock gates not that I am clumsy,but putting the bow to lock gates because of shallow lock landings when I see to the lock,the boat moves back and forth a bit and as the pulpit is proud of the bow,it gets pushed back.
The other thing is,with the pulpit rail being shoved back,cracks are appearing ln the gelcoat around the deck mountings.
I really feel like removing it and although I have not fallen into it,I will curse myself if when removed I step off the bow.
What do people think? |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2020 : 21:11:43
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On rivers I found pulpits a pain in the ar5e, the alternative is what a lot of the pilot boats have much like a pulpit but further in so you have a handhold but can still step off the deck easily, on a river boat a single tube running along the centre would be enough to keep a handhold, some of the broads ranger boats are like this.
Being a sea boat I have full pulpit and guard wires on mine but always have a bow rope running down each side back to the rear deck (secured so they don't end up in the props)so we always step off the rear and very rarely go up front at all.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2020 : 13:43:51
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Have two mooring lines off the bow led through port and starboard fairleads back down the side decks to the cockpit. Bring the stern lines from each quarter into the cockpit too.
Coming in alongside on a river you step off the stern while there is still a little way on and take a turn or 2 around the dock bitts or ring, this will snub the way off and bring the boat neatly alongside.
A quick clove hitch to hold it while you then grab the bow line and run up and tie off. You can then adjust the stern line.
Using the first method I was able to single-hand my Ocean 30 on Thames locks and my Bejeunes Dutch steel sea-boat on the Great Ouse - both of which were heavy boats.
On a canal if it isn't blowing a hoolie one line down each side made fast to the coach-roof grab rails (assuming they are well fixed) or a mid-length side-deck cleat will be sufficient.
Finally living the dream!
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Edited by - cliveshep on 06 Oct 2020 13:47:25 |
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Mad Harold
United Kingdom
228 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2020 : 14:33:02
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Thanks for the replies Gents.
After a bit of thought,I am going to remove the pulpit when the fender rings I have ordered arrive (the half moon bow fenders at the moment are tied to the pulpit stansions) and simply coil the bow line on the cabin top.I already have two cleats for centrelines although they are a little too far aft for mooring in a headwind or into the flow.Wrapping the centreline around the roof rail and they are too far forward.They cleats really need to be about where the portholes are (Norman 20) but as I have fitted them where they are I am leaving them. |
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Pulpit rail.Really necessary?
