DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

[kfa4303]

HI all. I was wondering if anybody has made a grabrail/leaning post (not sure what else to call it). I basically need a waist high upside down "U" that I can bolt to the floor of my boat that will be stiff enough to grab on to while underway. PVC would be cool, but I don't think it would be stiff/strong enough. Not to mention the UV issues, so I was thinking aluminum, or wood perhaps. Any ideas and suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

How about galvanized steel pipe. It comes in different sizes, has a variety of different fittings available and is corrosion resistant. You can buy precut and threaded lengths at most of the big home improvement stores and there are floor flanges available that would allow you to easily attach the structure to the floor with S/S lag bolts.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

I was thinking about that too. I was afraid it would rust out, but I figured I could paint it with some good 'ol Rustoleum Professional white aerosol paint, or something. Plus, I keep the boat covered when not in use. What diameter pipe do you think I would need? Maybe 1"? Do you think the upside down "U" shape would be sturdy enough? Perhaps a more of and upside down "V" or "W" would be better. Here's a quick mock up. It only needs to be about waist high.



Here are some links to some super fancy version of what I'm thinking about. They have a grabrail/tiller/"command center"/skiff combo thingy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXj7RMwM39o

 

[kemo111]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

Aluminum conduit is what I would use. I bought some from a local electrical supply house price was good even for 2.5". Would last forever and its not to hard to bend if ya was closer I would bend it for ya.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

I'd love to use aluminum, but I wasn't sure where to look for it. I think I could do the whole thing with one 10' length (3.5' up, 3' over, 3.5' down). How much did you pay for the 2.5" conduit? I'd need some sort of flange to attach it to the floor with too, I suppose.

Edit:
Just found this and it looks sweet. Now I gotta figure out how to make one.....

 

[kfa4303]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

...so I went by HD today and I think I can make what I need out of 3/4" EMT conduit. I can buy one 10' length and 2 pre-made 90 degree bends and a couple connectors for about $20. I also came across a very heavy duty Chrome closet rod, but it's way too stout to bend by hand. Could I take it to muffler shop and have them bend it perhaps, or would that ruing the finish? Also, I can't quite figure out where to find some stainless steel (hard plastic?) flanges that would allow me to attach the piping to the floor. I was thinking about looking in the outdoor railing section (if there is such a thing). I'm open to any ideas? If I do go the EMT route, I plan on priming and painting it afterwards to help slow and corrosion. Thanks again.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: DIY grabrail/leaning post advice

I'm wondering how you're gonna attach that to the hull