how much weight can my stern rail support?

[Northoceanbeach]

I don't want to overload the thing, but I see a lot of boats, albeit many of them much larger, with a lot on the stern.

My stern rail now has a very light magma BBQ. A 38 pound solar panel, that is partially supported by an attachment I made to the deck to support the aft edge of the panel and allow it to be moved up and down, and now a 40 pound outboard on the port side, that I added a center pole for some additional support.

So far I have been sailing with the solar panel and it doesn't seem to be a problem at all. I guess I'm a little worried about all the weight of the outboard, especially when heeling, or in rough seas.

Do you think it safe there? Not going to rip the rail out?

[Jim Walsh]

I keep my outboard perched on the stern rail at all times. The majority of the long distance cruisers I saw in Bermuda do the same thing. Many also had a solar panel(s) attached to the stern rail, some had an additional support, some did not. Only a fortunate few have garages with room to secure an outboard out of the weather. Rails don't come with a certification declaring their maximum carrying capacity so common sense must prevail.

[Steve Laume]

I don't think the question is as much about how much weight your rail can handle as it is about how much weight you want that far aft. The rails are pretty stout.

Raven squats a bit in the stern and I am always looking for ways to move more weight forward. Jim's boat seems to sit much higher in the stern so it may vary by model or even the individual boat. The larger the boat the less difference the additional weight is apt to make.

I doubt if you are going to bust anything so I would be inclined to strap on the outboard and see how she rides, Steve.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Steve L. and all:

Should "we" be concerned about water (especially salt water for me ) "back flooding" into the exhaust and damaging the engine

I have noticed when 2-3 adults are in the cockpit the exhaust pipe on S/V Bali Ha'i is very, very close to the water line. I am concerned about water flowing back into the exhaust/mixing elbow, etc.

Is this a real concern or am I being paranoid

I have thought about putting a 90 degree elbow joint onto the exhaust pipe or putting some type of "flapper" on the exhaust pipe. Thoughts

Hopefully, I am not misdirecting this thread.

[Bill Goldsmith]

Steve L. and all:

Should "we" be concerned about water (especially salt water for me ) "back flooding" into the exhaust and damaging the engine

I have noticed when 2-3 adults are in the cockpit the exhaust pipe on S/V Bali Ha'i is very, very close to the water line. I am concerned about water flowing back into the exhaust/mixing elbow, etc.

Is this a real concern or am I being paranoid

I have thought about putting a 90 degree elbow joint onto the exhaust pipe or putting some type of "flapper" on the exhaust pipe. Thoughts

Hopefully, I am not misdirecting this thread.

At the risk of being complicit in misdirecting this thread, your exhaust system most likely has a waterlock muffler, the first line of defense in keeping water from backing up into the engine. Second line of defense is a high-rise mixing elbow that should already be plumbed well above the water line, so any water back filling into the exhaust fitting should not make it as far as the engine. Just make sure the siphon break at the top of the mixing elbow is not corroded shut--that's important in maintaining the barrier. The exhaust system, even on a water-cooled engine with a heat exchanger, is still on the salt (raw water) side of the system, so the system wouldn't be exposed to water it isn't already used to handling.

[Northoceanbeach]

No, it's not taking over the thread, these are important considerations for me too. I need to think about more than just the sturdiness of my rail, but also what the weight does.

My stern does seem to have too much weight there. It looks like it is riding lower there than the bow. I just put 150 feet of chain in the bow but that didn't seem to do anything. I'm also probably going to stow the 73 pounds dinghy itself in the ve berth.

My boat never has more than just me and very occasionally one other in the cockpit, so that should help on weight. But another problem is I don't have a whole lot of storage, especially big compartments, and those lazarette sin the cockpit are tempting to load up.

So far I have the 40 lb. engine, 38 lb. solar, 5 lb bbq, 20 lb propane tank in the stern, the lockers have tools and water jugs, one side has batteries. That is all very heavy.

How can I check what kind of exhaust system I have to prevent back Flow? What should I look for? Is it just how the exhaust hose is routed?

[hilbert]

How can I check what kind of exhaust system I have to prevent back Flow? What should I look for? Is it just how the exhaust hose is routed?

On my 28, it is pretty much how the exhaust hose is routed between the waterlock and the thruhull. The hose rises almost to the top of the port locker and then back down to the thruhull.

I have thought about putting a 90 degree elbow joint onto the exhaust pipe or putting some type of "flapper" on the exhaust pipe. Thoughts

A flapper might help to prevent back-flow from following seas that break on the transom, when the engine is not running.

Occasionally, people flood the cylinder(s) with sea water when they run their starter a lot, but fail to start the engine. The raw water pump will send water into the injection elbow. The waterlock will eventually fill, then the water will flow back to the engine because it is lower than the top of the exhaust hose (gooseneck). On my waterlock, there is a drain on the bottom that can be opened to let water out.

[Northoceanbeach]

Good info, I'll check!

[Ken Cave]

On my 28 CD I carry a 3.3 HP outboard, three vertical propane tanks, as well as a throw
device. I also installed two stanchions that took care of the extra weight as well as
giving me a lot more suitability on whatever I want to install there.

The company that I purchased the split units to that fit over the existing rail seems to be
out of business, but I know there are others that will take care of this. Adding an extra
stanchion on the rail costs about $50.00.

Hope this helps

Ken Cave

[tartansailor]

A squating stern is SLOW!

[Steve Laume]

A low bow is squirrely.

I always hope that full water tanks, cruising gear, crew weight and the sails, pushing the boat will help even up the water line while in motion, Steve.

[Ken Cave]

Worried about squat? In our CD 28, the former owner solved that problem
by installing 350 feet of quarter inch HT chain in the bow chain (rope) locker.
On top of that, I also carry a 35 pound Bruce. There is also a Maxwell 500
to pull everything up as well as a chain lock.

What is in your pointy end?

Ken Cave

[hilbert]

When using chain or other forward ballast to counter weight at the stern, will there be a tendency to pitch or hobbyhorse?

[Jim Walsh]

Worried about squat? In our CD 28, the former owner solved that problem
by installing 350 feet of quarter inch HT chain in the bow chain (rope) locker.
On top of that, I also carry a 35 pound Bruce. There is also a Maxwell 500
to pull everything up as well as a chain lock.

What is in your pointy end?

Ken Cave

That's about 300 pounds just in chain and one anchor. I'd expect a 40+ foot long-distance cruiser to have 350 feet (maybe) but not a 28 footer. Thankfully the PO footed the bill for that and you get the benefit.

[Ken Cave]

We have been out and about this year closing in on a 1000 miles (at 4 knots) and been through thick and thin
as far as weather goes, and have never had a problem with hobby-horse-or other matters concerning weight.

On the lift, our CD weighs 13,000 pounds and looks it is evenly distributed all around.

Ken Cave