Spray rails/bow lift

[28bhm]

I'm wondering if anyone else has used spray rails placed right at the water line running almost the length of the boat in an attempt to lower the bow and help her handle a following sea better? I finished a face-lift on a 1987 28' BHM in August. We ran the boat around for a month before pulling her out to put a bow thruster, stainless rudder (had to change the skeg bearing) and ran a set of lift/spray rails along the water line tapering up forward just beneath and aft of the existing forward rails. The rails sit right at the water line and run back ending 18" before the transom. These recommendations came directly from Steve Law who was unbelievably helpful. The rudder and rails have made the boat much easier to handle in a following/1/4ing sea and I gained about 1.5 knots. I'm wondering if by extending the rails another 12" back if they would lower the bow that much more or have an adverse affect? Any feedback would be great!
Vinny

 

[atlanticblue]

Page 2 in the projects section!

 

[28bhm]

Thanks, I read it and found the same question with no real answer. Did I miss something?

 

[captainlarry84]

If you’re running good now @ 1.5 increase….STOP! You have achieved the gold standard. Extending the rail back future will make the boat run flatter and you will most likely lose what you have gained. If the rails are PCV and have been installed with screw, bolts & sealer make sure that the ALWAYS block the rails where the travel lift straps touch. If not the straps will bend & weaken the screw & bolt install. The blocks will keep the straps off of the rails.

 

[mudhake]

Thanks Larry, The last thing you want to do is bring the bow down too much in a bhm or 31 Jc. You need to break the water from the stern off the lift rails for a bunch of reasons. Vinnie, call me and we will talk about it again. I was in Forida when you last called me.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

Any picture of before and after the lift rails? id like to see. Mudhake, can you explain a little as to why you need to break the water from the stern of the lift rails? I am going to put some rails on the spring and am curious as to where they should end.

 

[28bhm]

Hope you had a great time in Fl. I'll call ya next week after Christmas.

 

[Fish220sr]

Excellent photos. Wondering why there are not more similar hull boats following suit?

 

[WoundUpMarine]

28BHM, how did you attach the rails, just screwed and then sealed, or did you through-bolt them?

 

[Raider Ronnie]

Couple of questions

1, Why did you add the bow thruster ?
I've never felt the need for one in mine, though it does back to port, forward the boat spins on a dime.
2, What has the Volvo trim tabs done for your ride ?
I've thought about adding a set. Under way with charters and them moving around side to side can be a pain in the ass.

 

[cb34]

Boat name

Love the names of these boats down in NY, in most cases you do not even have to look at the hailing state. One read and you know it's a NY boat

 

[28bhm]

28BHM, how did you attach the rails, just screwed and then sealed, or did you through-bolt them?

I through bolted all the ones I could reach except for the Last 5 on the starboard side and the last 4 on port side which are 3"# 12 screws. We used a very heavy bead of 5200 as an adhesive. The only thing I'm adding to the back of the rails this winter is a soft transition piece. Just in case I catch a pole when backing into my slip.

 

[28bhm]

1, Why did you add the bow thruster ?
I've never felt the need for one in mine, though it does back to port, forward the boat spins on a dime.
2, What has the Volvo trim tabs done for your ride ?
I've thought about adding a set. Under way with charters and them moving around side to side can be a pain in the ass.[/QUOT

After running the boat around for a month I came to realize quickly that a BT would be very handy. The marinas I frequent are very tight with little room to pivot. Pulling up to a bulkhead Starboard beam to is easy being she backs to same. Pulling up port side to is fine but it gets a little hairy when you need to spin her in a tight area especially when surrounded by other boats with a howling wind and have to back her in to an 11' wide slip. Is it necessary, no but its nice. The rudder made a difference as well when backing her down, the boat actually responds to it!!

The TT are the cure for your "side to side" ills but you'll be adjusting every time someone moves around as I'm sure you know. I haven't run the boat enough yet to realize a benefit. I only finished her in late August ran her around for 6 weeks pulled her for two weeks to do the rails, rudder and BT. then pulled it two weeks ago for winter. The boat really is the most stable thing I've ever operated. They do correct list do to weight transfer very easily. I went with them vs. say a pair of bennets because I wanted a clean transom. Less chance for a line cut.
Hope it helped

 

[Reelman955]

Was your 28 BHM the Strange Luck w/ 315 Yanmar? Either way, looks like you did a really nice job on the face lift.

 

[28bhm]

Was your 28 BHM the Strange Luck w/ 315 Yanmar? Either way, looks like you did a really nice job on the face lift.

It was and Thank you.

 

[Robert M]

Saw the before pics from the previous owner. It was a nice boat , but wow you did a great job on the face lift! Nice color chose also.

 

[pugsley]

and you are hailing from a great town, as far as a world ranking goes it's something like this.


london
paris
rome
patchogue




my aunt lived there for 25 years.

 

[El Mar]

The few people I have talked to about the 28 Seaworty all said the same problem. Too much bow rise.

Is that typical with this hull?? What is the fix??
Prop? Or does the build out have more to do with it? House, engine placement, etc???

 

[28bhm]

Saw the before pics from the previous owner. It was a nice boat , but wow you did a great job on the face lift! Nice color chose also.

Thanks, I have a couple of hundred pic of the project, perhaps I'll postem when I figure out how to shrink them.

 

[28bhm]

The few people I have talked to about the 28 Seaworty all said the same problem. Too much bow rise.

Is that typical with this hull?? What is the fix??
Prop? Or does the build out have more to do with it? House, engine placement, etc???

The rails made a big difference, Trim tabs will bring it down as well but you need to be weary of the sea condition, too much tab and you'll run the risk of a scary ride in a following sea. I can tell you that the boat is a beast in any head sea with or without tabs. As for the reasons, I suspect it has to do with the hull configuration. The boat is an exceptionally stable platform and feels like you have more under your feet then 28'.
Hope that helps