Dumb DE Question

[Bill_N]

Why do most downeasters not have a bowrail? The few I see that do are rec boats. Is it an anchoring thing, visibilty?

 

[BillD]

Why do most downeasters not have a bowrail? The few I see that do are rec boats. Is it an anchoring thing, visibilty?

Workboat?? Anchoring?? Visibility??......no need to be up there?? LOL

 

[Frank Grimes]

You could ask the same question about sport fishing boats. Owner preference.

 

[F/V First Team]

Just what these boats need, one more thing for seagulls to stand on so they can poop all over the boat...

 

[CEShawn]

I have had both, next boat if it has it, probably keep it, if it doesnt wont put it there. I usually run all my bow lines after to the cockpit anyways. I always tie up in finger piers so its not a problem. Gets a little dicey at times and there have been times I am glad I have it.

I remember our HH40 didnt have anything up there, no grab rails, that was never fun going up there. Of course I had to go up there ONCE to connect to a tow, scary.

 

[MDI45]

I probably would not put a bow rail on my boat.....but i will say i was just on the Regina E a 35 DUFFY and the boat was doing some weird wind against tide stuff and it was nice to have walking the rods around

 

[Eslang]

I have one on my NB. It's nice when you're doing anything on the bow. It gets crappy in the fall when we are blackfishing. It's nice to have a handle when you are securing the anchor.

 

[Fremont]

Another reason not to have them is the stansions get leaned on, get loose, and become a source of water intrusion. That being said, I like having them.

 

[Bill_N]

Personally, I like having a bowrail. I understand the worlboat point but I'm a rec fisherman amd could be up there for a number of reasons and just like it from a safety standpoint. Thanks for the replies!

 

[Downeaster]

Noted on several of the many boardings that I've been through, I've come to appreciate a rail design that the USCG used years ago (well before the modern RIBbies). This was a simple, single rail mounted on the C/L forward of the cuddy (I seem to recall pairs of these used on other of their boats that were mounted parallel to the C/L but having no joining rail forward). These were pretty rugged rails made from 1-1/2" tubing or greater and having a large mounting pad - these things weren't going to be moved by a man. The Coastie going forward could snap his safety harness to these and not give his going over the side another thought. I like them because I've had to go forward on an icy foredeck to let the mooring pennant go with only a toerail separating me from disaster (before you jump on me with better ideas, consider the fact that I had absolutely no assurance that the diesel would start in the temperatures we're speaking of and I didn't want to tie off the boat to a springline cleat until I was sure that I could fire her up). I favor this kind of rail.

 

[Lion's Paw]

For me a bow rail is manditory as doing dive charters we anchor from the fordeck several times a day. I would never consider sending my crew (or me) forward without having a strong railing system. Never understand why you wouldn't want some type of safety railing even if it is a centerline single rail. Not having anything is a potential MOB for sure when you do have to go forward - and everyone eventually has to...

 

[Raider Ronnie]

Commercial guys frown on them and kind of look at downeast boats with them as girly boats.
My boat has one and am not sure I would want to go up to the bow when it's snotty out if I didn't have it.
On charters, from time to time I get people who ask to fish from the bow.
I only let them if they put a life jacket on.

 

[CEShawn]

I anchor multiple times a day on charters and never go to the now I also don't have a hauler. I just have a cleat at the aft part of my house and three guide eyes aka u bolts basically going up my stud side. I drop it from the cockpit and haul from the cockpit using the famous red ball technique. I can easily adjust the length either day and do this as I also fish by myself. Done this for a number of years with charters no problem from 10' to just over 200' for bluefin. Only space it takes up is the few moments to anchor then it's back to customers space. I will always do it this way for single points.

 

[Capt. Rick]

I have a rail on mine. When you fish in the winter and throw 2 anchors in sometimes not so nice seas, with ice on the decks, and need to go up there
for whatever reason, to me it is a necessity to keep my crew and or myself
safe. Girly looking, nah

 

[JoFishes]

My last DE did not have one. My current De does. Girly, so say you, so be it. I drag my anchor for days while bottom fishin but......
I like having something to grab when a sidewinder comes by and I'm up there dealing with anchorline. FWIW, Jo

 

[tunaorlater]

Rail is a must for me, I have kids that think there are more fish off the bow then the stern....... I think they look nice also.

 

[Blacktide]

I don't have one but can surely see the need. I been forward a few times and wished I had something to hold on to while messing with the anchors.