Marin wrote:If one is going to be doing actual work on the bow of a boat--- deploying and retrieving the anchor, rigging a snubber, manipulating lines and fenders as I described above--- a sturdy rail system is a major contributor to the crew's safety no matter what it might do to the appearance of the boat.
Couldn't agree more.*
Since 1995, I have done little else than mess with bigger boats. All kinds of boats.
When attracted to a particular boat, I have trained myself to ask"why do I
like this boat?"* The answer is usually centered around the "look" of the boat
followed by the "function." Although I have seen all kinds of boats that I would
be pleased to own, it's the "Down East" look that gets my blood up, closely
followed by the ease (function) of operating said boat. Safety is a very close
third (I know...it probably should be * first) but since it doesn't occupy that position
when picking out a car or a house, why should it be paramount when selecting my
boat? Since my wife is the one that normally goes forward for the anchor detail, I
must have as much protection for her as is reasonable. A sturdy rail system makes
the most sense and is a definite "must have" on my list of wants.
(Note
* This is my attempt to get back on the thread subject.
*
-- Edited by SeaHorse II on Friday 14th of January 2011 10:34:37 AM
