Platform Rails

[Pete]

I saw an earlier discussion of platform rails but no reference to ease of entry into/exit from a kayak? Seems to me that platform rails might get in the way, or does the gate and the ability to use the rails as handholds actually make entry/exit easier? Also one post speculated that the rails might cause stress cracks in the gelcoat. Is this proving to be a problem? Input would be helpful since I'm currently speccing the R 27 as one of my 2 candidates for a new boat this year. (The other is a Rosborough).
Pete

 

[jroyle]

We have an R29 and we were curious about the ease of kayak entry/exit from the swim deck with the railings. We rented kayaks at Catalina Island (sit on Hobie sea kayaks) and found it to be extremely easy to enter and exit the kayaks. The rails actually aided versus hindered in my mind. We plan to purchase 2 in the near future.

 

[walldog]

We have the rails on our swim platform and would not be without them. They greatly assist us in getting into and out of our dinghy. Of course Jake prefers to slip through the section NEXT to the opening instead of using the open section. We have not noticed any checking or cracking on the platform from where the rails are mounted.