Rick & Karen
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2008
- Messages
- 43
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C SE
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLT2142J607
- Vessel Name
- Kolo Iki (Little Tug)
Hi All,
I have posted a couple of photos in our photo album under the Miscellaneous Items section of a # 5 1/2 rubber stopper being used to plug one of the receptacle tubes for the stainless steel hand rails in the cockpit. Depending on how your boat cockpit is set up, you will probably not be using all of these receptacles at any given time. On the R-21EC the two forward tubes will probably never be used if you do not have the surrey top option.
On our boat, because of the aft bimini, we have removed the middle hand rails for a cleaner look and easier upkeep. As we keep Kolo Iki in the water year round, anything we can do that saves us (or perhaps I should say me) a little time is a good thing. Left open to the elements, these openings collect water and debris and eventually start rusting inside, which can spread to the outside through the drain hole. Over time, the exterior finish around the drain hole can pit and the adjoining gel coat will be stained by rust (our boat sat outside for over a year before we purchased it and I saw this firsthand). I have even been thinking of taking the stern rail out and plugging the holes when the boat is tied up at the dock. In Hawaii it rains a lot, combine that with wash downs after being offshore and there is almost always some water at the bottom of these tubes, which leads to the problems previously mentioned.
For those of you who keep your boat on a trailer, you could pull out the removable hand rails, clean out the tubes, squirt a little WD-40 in and pop in rubber stoppers prior to long term storage and save yourself some trouble during recommissioning. You should be able to find these stoppers at any large hardware store for for a little more than a dollar a piece. A # 5 stopper will work as well, but it will fit almost flush and could be difficult to remove if pressed in. I use two of these for the finger holes in the aft storage hatches. In the big scheme of things, this is a small detail, but I thought some of you might find it helpful.
Aloha,
Rick
I have posted a couple of photos in our photo album under the Miscellaneous Items section of a # 5 1/2 rubber stopper being used to plug one of the receptacle tubes for the stainless steel hand rails in the cockpit. Depending on how your boat cockpit is set up, you will probably not be using all of these receptacles at any given time. On the R-21EC the two forward tubes will probably never be used if you do not have the surrey top option.
On our boat, because of the aft bimini, we have removed the middle hand rails for a cleaner look and easier upkeep. As we keep Kolo Iki in the water year round, anything we can do that saves us (or perhaps I should say me) a little time is a good thing. Left open to the elements, these openings collect water and debris and eventually start rusting inside, which can spread to the outside through the drain hole. Over time, the exterior finish around the drain hole can pit and the adjoining gel coat will be stained by rust (our boat sat outside for over a year before we purchased it and I saw this firsthand). I have even been thinking of taking the stern rail out and plugging the holes when the boat is tied up at the dock. In Hawaii it rains a lot, combine that with wash downs after being offshore and there is almost always some water at the bottom of these tubes, which leads to the problems previously mentioned.
For those of you who keep your boat on a trailer, you could pull out the removable hand rails, clean out the tubes, squirt a little WD-40 in and pop in rubber stoppers prior to long term storage and save yourself some trouble during recommissioning. You should be able to find these stoppers at any large hardware store for for a little more than a dollar a piece. A # 5 stopper will work as well, but it will fit almost flush and could be difficult to remove if pressed in. I use two of these for the finger holes in the aft storage hatches. In the big scheme of things, this is a small detail, but I thought some of you might find it helpful.
Aloha,
Rick