Replacement of external hand-rails on CD36

[Evergreen]

Hello:

Question regarding attachment of external handrails on CD36: Does anyone know how the cabin-top handrails are attached on a Cape Dory 36 (or other size)? More specifically are they through bolted or secured by screws into fiberglass? I am trying to figure out if they can be replaced without tearing into the cabin ceiling.

Thanks so much.

[Maine_Buzzard]

They should be screwed from the top, and then the holes are covered in bungs. Look on the top of the rails for 3/8-1/2" circles of wood where the grain may not perfectly match. Should be spaced every 12" or so.

The plugs are slightly visible in this picture:


Flat grab rails will be similar.

[John Stone]

The grab rails are bolted not screw on. The bolts extend down through the deck and the nuts and washers are on the underside skin of the deck. To access the nuts, removed the interior grab rails. You'll see the nuts contained under the molded liner risers that support the interior grab rails.

[Evergreen]

I wish to confirm that the cabin headliner does not need to be removed (only the inner rails)?

[John Stone]

No. headliner does not need to be removed. In fact, you can't remove it. Well that's not entirely true. It is glassed to the underside of the deck. I removed the headliner on the Far Reach. It is major permanent surgery. But I digress.

Just remove the grab rails on the overhead inside the cabin. You'll see the nuts for the bolts that hold the grab rails on.

[Evergreen]

Thank you very much!!!!!