Patio rail (swim platform)

[Just Limin']

Ordering a new 25 SC. Thoughts/experience with a rail or not?
Thanks

 

[ozoner]

Personally, I have never been a fan, for multiple reasons:

• - Rails on the swim step complicate dinghy operations and/or limit davit mounting options
  - They present yet one more thing for ropes to get tangled on, and complicate situations that require stern anchoring
  - It is easy to get tangled up in them when stepping onboard with dangling stuff e.g. shopping bags, purses and bags, etc
  - I have rarely seen a swim step with rails mounted that did not have gelcoat stress cracks around where the rails mount to the swim step. The rails are fairly high, and develop a nice bit of leverage that puts a lot of force on the mounts; the flex from this force causes cracks. Sometimes just the vibration from running can cause enough flexing to create cracks over time
  - I personally feel they can complicate a man overboard situation. The swim step is the only place where you can realistically get someone back on board quickly, and it is much harder to do this when you've got the rails in the way

 

[linedoctor]

We love ours. It's an added measure of security when standing on, or stepping on or off the swim step. We don't have a dinghy but have seen several Rangers that have overcome any problems mounting theirs.

It also is helpful when backing down...you can see where the edge of your step is, which is otherwise invisible.

 

[ozoner]

Excellent point about being able to easily see where your swim step is when backing!

 

[lashobe]

I have a Ranger 27 and use it for fishing and crabbing in the Puget Sound. I find the rail useful in allowing me to secure a larger cooler on the swim platform with shock cords instead of drilling the swim platform. I would also agree it is an extra hand hold when boarding via the swim platform.

 

[South lake]

I just bought an R-25 and I'm having the rails installed. My wife has Multiple Sclerosis and this gives her an extra measure of safety when boarding from the swim platform. Just another reason to consider them...

Jeff

 

[hlgearheart]

Over 90% of the R29s we build have the Swim Platform Rails ordered.