Question for Stabicraft owners

[charleville]

I am just a slow talkin' country boy from western Queensland so I cannot profess to know a lot about boats but there are some features about the rails on my Quintrex runabout that I really like.

The first is simply that I have some - especially on the sides at the back of the boat, which are so handy for lashing things to and also as an easy hand-hold in rough weather.

... and the second is that the bow rails are low on my boat so that it is easy for me to climb over them when I get off the boat at the front when beaching it.

So when I look (drool) over the Stabicraft such as Nugget's new boat, I wonder about a couple of things to do with rails, as I have shown in the picture below.

Do you guys with Stabicraft or similar boats miss not having rails down the sides at the back?

Also, why are the bow rails so high? Being that high must make it hard sometimes to reach them to hold the boat steady when on the ramp or beach. High bow rails are often handy on an open boat to secure vinyl spray guards to but that would not be an issue on these sorts of boats.





Just curious....



.

[Fafnir]

Don't own one myself (unfortunately), but having looked over quite a few I would like to put forward the following suggestions/guesses.

Given that the gunwales are quite high in the back of the particular model you have shown here, I don't see why rails would be necessary. Well and truly thigh height for the average person.

Front rails I imagine are designed as support for anyone walking around the front of the boat, possibly to get to the anchor if required? Having them high would allow you to hold them as you walk around without needing to stoop too far. Any lower and they would be tricky to hold on to.

That's my guess anyway.

[seatime]

Exactly as Fafnir says, they don't need rails on the gunwales, the bow rails and rail on the cabin top are for support when walking around the cabin going forward.

regards

[charleville]

Exactly as Fafnir says, they don't need rails on the gunwales, the bow rails and rail on the cabin top are for support when walking around the cabin going forward.

Thanks guys.


I have to say though that if the bow rail is for support when walking around the cabin going forward, I reckon that I would want one a lot bloody higher than that!


The lack of rails on the gunwales does intrigue me a bit and maybe it is because these boats are bigger than mine but I have been very glad to have both the rails and a solid aluminium bait board to hold on to and contain me when I have been in rough seas and bad weather, especially at night when I may not necessarily see what wave is about to hit the side of the boat.

Anyway, you guys have the experience with these sorts of boats so you will have good insights on this topic.

A multiplicity of thanks for your responses.

[deadbeatloser]

stabi 5.jpg no problems here, would be a benifit if you want to put on some rail mount rod holders though

[seatime]

I have to say though that if the bow rail is for support when walking around the cabin going forward, I reckon that I would want one a lot bloody higher than that!

The bow rail serves a dual purpose, it is used as support when on deck, albeit as low as it is, it's also useful for manhandling the bow area when launching, retrieving and beaching.

The gunwales are a safe height and IMO rails would complicate matters when fishing, though might save the paint work from scratches.

cheers

[charleville]

TIMO rails would complicate matters when fishing, though might save the paint work from scratches.

Nah - my Quintrex has acquired its fair share of scratches over the years even with rails.



When I first bought it, I used to be so careful with it but when I got to the stage of fishing up to six nights per week last year, I sort of started to treat the boat in a more utilitarian fashion. It is a much loved boat but also, much used.

That is my philosophy on life. Usually the next owner after me of any of my cars is the wrecker.

Likewise, I am not willing away any of my body parts after I die. They will all be worn out.

[Smithy]

Wide gunnels and no rails is best for the cockpit IMHO. You can mount rod holders at any angle and sit on the wide covering boards. Rails just get in the way. In rough seas learn to bend your legs like a golf stance and roll with the waves. If you need hand support there is plenty to grab. The rolled over part of the coaming works fine. It is interesting to see how old salts deal with it compared to all sorts of people you get on charter.

The front bow rails are probably for show but I find mine are great at that height for hanging onto when I jump off onto the beach during launch and retrieval and also for climbing onto my winch post during launch and retrieval solo.