New Hand Holds. How to attach?

[JSsailem]

The sail plan is set up every thing at the dock. Sails, halyards, tiedowns, whatever - but once sailing something always draws you out of the cockpit that requires your attention at the bow. You get there, complete your task, work your way towards the cockpit past the mast and shroud (do I hold the shroud and swing outboard around it or squeeze on the inside, boy these side decks are small) and then the challenge. There is nothing to grip as you try to gracefully get into the safety of the cockpit.

Sure, like a mountain climber, you can grab for the fairlead with a finger hold, but miss it and your airborne towards the bottom of the cockpit and another boat induced black eye.

So I headed to the local boat supply store to find a hand hold that I could secure to the deck. The ready cut teak two grip holds looked to be the answer.

Back to my Montgomery 15 I unbag the new toys and dry fit to the deck.

How do I attach these holds to the boat?

What do you guys do? Do I attach to the teak strips holding the hatch cover? Do I try and bolt through the deck? Do I use a screw to attach the hold up from the cabin? Or do I drill down from the top and through bolt the hold (back to the store to get some teak bungs to fill the holes)?

Your suggestions and experiences are welcomed.

[Michel]

My boat is not much bigger than your's. I prefer to pass inside the shroud when à have to go front. Going back to the cockpit, I take my time and use the rail on top of the cabin.

[JSsailem]

Practical and prudent action. I agree.

I need to attach some rails. Any suggestions?

[wdscobie]

'JS':

please provide dimensions, or the 'brand', of the teak hand rails you purchased. i'll assist you in where and how to install.

one item that will be very helpful is access to a drill press.

[JSsailem]

Thanks Dave.
Handholds are by Whitecap. Bought at West Marine. Description is: Teak, 2 Loop, 23in. Holds were clear straight grain. When I got them home and ran a moisture reading they showed 1-2% on my meter. One of the holds rests high (about a 1/16 inch in the center base. Think it can be removed by sanding the ends.) when placed o a flat surface. Image attached.

Thinking through bolting on the wood trim that holds the hatch cover down may be optimal. Your thouhgts.

[Michel]

These things are a must. And the beautiful thing about a small boat is that you can grab the headstay direct from the handrail.

[wdscobie]

i'm going to recommend that you consider two 'one loop' handrails on each side instead of one two-loop.

picture showing recommendation -

hand rails on M15.jpg

reasoning:

stand in cockpit and grab handrail near aft end of slider hatch.

step forward on side-deck and grab shroud.

step around shroud and grab handrail on front of house

step forward and grab bow pulpit.


if you like above let me know. i'll put together instructions on how to install. do you have access to a drill press?

[JSsailem]

Understand the logic. I can access a press.