Bent Bow Rail

PeteL

PeteL

Active Member
Aug 2, 2010
245
Apollo Beach, FL
Boat Info
2003 280 DA
Twin 5.0
Bravo III
"Viva la Vida"
Engines
Twin 5.0, bravo 3 drives
Somehow, the bow rail got a pretty good bend in it. I am not sure how it happened, but that's really not important now. The bend is just forward of the second stanchion on the port side. Looks like maybe the boat got hung up on something when being put into the high and dry, but I am not assuming anything.
What are my repair options short of replacing? Can the railing be straightened? It is a 2003 280DA
 
Pics can help. A lot depends on the severity of your situation. The problem bending/straightening pipe is that you crush it or pinch it.

I have had success by using a conduit bender from the electrical section of your local store. just get the right size. you can gently persuade a curve out of a pipe by trying to re-bend the pipe. Get a stick of conduit and practice before you attempt the stainless.
 
I will try to post pics. Don't have any now, but will be at the boat next week.
 
Have a buddy going through this now - marina tried to haul is boat with wind blowing 20+. while they were using the skiff to tow it to the well, the guy lost it and ended up in a piling - luckily the damage was isolated to one "section" they are having a new piece fabricated and installed.......on a separate note, I passed on a 38DA a year or so ago that had an extensive amount of repair to the entire starboard side of the bow rail (including stanchions) - they had done the best they could, but between the bending and grinding it just didnt look right - and a big job to replace - stainless is very hard to work with
 
bbwhitejr said:
I replaced the complete bow rail on a 06 260DA. SR had it made to OEM specs and MM installed. Pricey, but looked perfect again.

Bennett
Click to expand...

A repair will always look like a repair, it cannot be made to look perfect like original unless replaced as above.

MM
 
Finding a person who can tig weld and manipulate stainless well will make or break the repair. I know some people whose work you'd be hard pressed to know it wasn't original it's that good.
 
douglee25 said:
Finding a person who can tig weld and manipulate stainless well will make or break the repair. I know some people whose work you'd be hard pressed to know it wasn't original it's that good.
Click to expand...

They would be artist level to do that. Hard to find them.

MM
 
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