Can I Remove This Rail

[purnong]

Following on from the Brooker thread one of my few gripes with the boat is how narrow the gap is on the rear step
Can anyone offer an opinion on whether removing the rail marked with arrows would be a problem, I could brace it underneath but does it need it?

[FishHunter]

I wouldnt remove it unless you replaced it with something similar that gave you more room. There is a fair bit of force on that step when you heave yourself out of the water

[purnong]

Thanks FishHunter
I have seen other tinnies around that only have the one rail and they don't seem to be built any different, I guess I could brace it from underneath or maybe try and widen what I have
Or even cut the whole thing off and start again, Or leave it alone and just live with it. Decisions decisions

[smclaren]

Brace it underneath and monitor it. Pretty sure it would only bend slowly if there were any issues ... but I doubt there will be ! You can always weld the rail back on !

Cut and weld with confidence

[nigelr]

Much easier to re-board with 2 rails to use, rather than just 1, in my experience. If you decide to cut it off, make sure you can comfortably grip the motor somewhere with your right hand if necessary.

[pipifin]

I'd cut and shorten.
Remove, but replace with a rail 100-150mm high and run straight to the back of the boat..... then it would still maintain most of it's strength and could be used as a handle if required, rather than swingin on the motor.
I'm assuming that it is the upper width that is the problem, not that you have massively wide feet.

Failing that, just put a small handle out of the way on the transom, I'm sure you would notice any movement if you cut the current rail off.

[kingcray]

hey Purnong, i have a stessco tinny with just the left rail and no other bracing see link :

http://stessco.com.au/index.php?opti...d=21&Itemid=31

I think my step is a little bigger too. I jump on and off it all the time and its pretty strong.
It's all 3mm ally on the catcher if that makes any difference, not sure what the brookers are. Might be stronger??

Dean

[tunaticer]

Whack it off and see how firm the step is, at worst you might need a small gusset welded underneath. Seriously, how much weight does that step ever hold?? Not too many 200kg people around with boats. It is not a structural piece that will affect the boat, it is merely an access feature.

[astro66]

you will go faster with the weight saving

[purnong]

Thanks for the replies everyone
The step in the pic looks quite big but it's fairly narrow, It's a tight squeeze to stand there with both feet so going by the replies the best option would be widen and keep the rail
I have an AC TIG welder so I can do any welding needed just have to work out how to do it and still keep it looking neat
Just went out and did some measuring, The step itself is 370 wide but only 285 between the rails
Wonder if I could move the rails to the outside of the step, At 370 wide I reckon I could almost sit there

[dnej]

why not cut the port side bar, and reshape to follow the line of the stern. That would make it wider at the top.
David

[wayno60]

BrookerStep.jpg
maybe just two supports in underneath.

[Swanie1975]

i cant see any problems with removing it but before you cut it off completely ,you can test if you need it at all by cutting thru the rail with one nice neat hacksaw cut. if theres no appreciable movement then go ahead and cut the rail off - but if it does move too much at least you can just run a nice weld then sand and polish back to before without any major hassle.

cheers ryan

[wayno60]

003.jpg
mine hasn't anything and its as solid as a rock..

[purnong]

Thanks Wayno for taking the time with the pics, I'm sort of leaning towards cutting both rails off and moving them to the outside of the step
That way I will get the full 370 width which might even be enough room to plonk my fat arse for swimming & putting on flippers etc and as nigelr said two rails are easier to pull yourself out of the water
Will sit and stare at it this weekend