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View Full Version : A couple new projects.



Randygh
06-14-2008, 10:22 PM
Last week I completed a couple simple projects. The first was to build holders for my inflatable's oars. I normally stow them in the bilge, but it's a PITA to take them in and out whenever I need them, so I decided to make some cheap, holders without doing any permanent damage to my boat.

I used spare, new toilet drain hose. I mounted the pieces to the handrail posts by drilling two holes in each hose section and threading a zip tie through the holes and around a post. The right side hose pieces are slotted on top to facilitate easy in/out of the oars. The left side hose pieces are not slotted. In order to prevent the oars from slipping to the right in the holders I tightened a zip tie around each oar shaft just below the handgrips. I trimmed the extra length and left just enough to act as a stop to prevent the oar from slipping through the hose. It's easy to remove the oar by pushing down the extra length.

Randygh
06-14-2008, 10:53 PM
The second project was to install a gate in the transom handrail. Previously, it was hard for me to move from the cockpit to the swimstep to get into the inflatable. If we swam off the swimstep, it was difficult to get into the boat.

I talked to the fellows at FS and the brass products made for just the purpose don't fit my teak rail. So, I purchased a double-pivot hinge, cut my handrail, dremeled the wood to accommodate the hinge and applied a round-ended gate latch. The fittings are stainless. I covered the cut ends of teak with 3 coats of clear epoxy. The hinge is flush with the surface of the handrail. I purchased the round-ended gate latch because it looked better and is less likely to snag a fishing line. The project turned out very well.

Go Aweigh2452
06-15-2008, 07:37 PM
Wow, nice work Randy... That oar idea is great and the gate to the swim step looks like it was made for it... Looking forward to seeing all the mods someday...

Randygh
06-15-2008, 08:53 PM
We'll be in Friday Harbor July 2nd. It will be fun to catch up with you, Lea and Cooper along with other IBNW'ers. Hopefully the crabbing will be better than last year.

Nehalennia
06-16-2008, 06:41 AM
Randy that railing looks beautiful.

Nice work.