Center Console Grab Rail Grips - INSTALL TIP!

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Author Topic:   Center Console Grab Rail Grips - INSTALL TIP!

vdbgroup posted 02-27-2002 11:57 PM ET (US)
Ever had sore hands from holding that 7/8" grab rail? Ever lost your grip on the grab rail when you needed to hold on? This is a super way to make your Whaler safer and more comfortable. (Note: I saw this done on "Sport Montauks" and I think this is an essential upgrade to Whalers!)
First go to your tackle store and buy 2 3/4" I.D. 12" black (or what ever color they have that you like, most available in black) EVA foam rod butt grips. Then get a hold of a hypodermic syringe with a inch long needle. I got needles from my Vet. (I use these for oiling bearings and other parts on my reels).

Start by soaking the grips in hot soapy water for 15 minutes or so. Remove mounting hardware, one side at a time, on your console grab rail, where the rail terminates on the side of console.
Get a cup of soapy water to lubricate the 7/8" O.D. rail then begin to thread the 3/4" I.D. rod butt grip on the rail until you get it on about 3 inches. There will be some effort required to get this far. Then fill the syringe with soapy solution, and inject through foam grip at an angle so that solution fills space between rail and grip. Inject with soapy water every two to three inches as you continue to slide grip up on the rail. Inject on opposite sides, as you continue to work the grip to it final postion on the grab rail where you usually hold on. You will notice how this will glide right up the rail very easy. If you want to get a wrist and forearm workout try doing this without the injection!!
Grips will dry in place and not move easily. Replace hardware and repeat on other side.
I did it the hardway and the easy way. There are some benefits to the wisdom acquired with age. Get the needle!
Finally, BIGSHOT IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET ON YOUR MONTAUK THEN YOU ARE NOT AS BIG A BIGSHOT AS I THINK YOU ARE!!
Good Boating, from Texas!!!

JBCornwell posted 02-28-2002 09:12 AM ET (US)
Hmmm. Looks like a no-brainer to me.
It's on my to-do list.
Thanks, VDBGroup.
Red sky at night. . .
JB :)
Caceman posted 03-01-2002 03:47 PM ET (US)
Hey ya'll,
Another grab rail related tip. If you are holding onto the console grab rail, over the top, while letting your buddy drive. And he suddenly realizes that he's about to come off of the top of a wave very HARD, so decides to throw the throttle back into neutral. Make sure that your palm is not resting on the windscreen. My windscreen is now missing a nice ovoid chunk on the left side.
-Andrew
vdbgroup posted 03-04-2002 08:53 PM ET (US)
repost
trainer posted 03-10-2002 12:42 PM ET (US)
You can also use compressed air to help slide the grips on. Use the blower attachment on a compressor and shoot air under the grip while sliding. This is a trick used in bicycle shops to install foam and grips on handlebars
csj posted 03-10-2002 09:38 PM ET (US)
In the event you do not have "the needle", or access to a compressor I suggest hairspray. Spray in the tube and on the bar, and it will slide right on. After a few minutes it will become tacky, and never move again.

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Author	Topic: Center Console Grab Rail Grips - INSTALL TIP!
vdbgroup	posted 02-27-2002 11:57 PM ET (US) Ever had sore hands from holding that 7/8" grab rail? Ever lost your grip on the grab rail when you needed to hold on? This is a super way to make your Whaler safer and more comfortable. (Note: I saw this done on "Sport Montauks" and I think this is an essential upgrade to Whalers!) First go to your tackle store and buy 2 3/4" I.D. 12" black (or what ever color they have that you like, most available in black) EVA foam rod butt grips. Then get a hold of a hypodermic syringe with a inch long needle. I got needles from my Vet. (I use these for oiling bearings and other parts on my reels). Start by soaking the grips in hot soapy water for 15 minutes or so. Remove mounting hardware, one side at a time, on your console grab rail, where the rail terminates on the side of console. Get a cup of soapy water to lubricate the 7/8" O.D. rail then begin to thread the 3/4" I.D. rod butt grip on the rail until you get it on about 3 inches. There will be some effort required to get this far. Then fill the syringe with soapy solution, and inject through foam grip at an angle so that solution fills space between rail and grip. Inject with soapy water every two to three inches as you continue to slide grip up on the rail. Inject on opposite sides, as you continue to work the grip to it final postion on the grab rail where you usually hold on. You will notice how this will glide right up the rail very easy. If you want to get a wrist and forearm workout try doing this without the injection!! Grips will dry in place and not move easily. Replace hardware and repeat on other side. I did it the hardway and the easy way. There are some benefits to the wisdom acquired with age. Get the needle! Finally, BIGSHOT IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET ON YOUR MONTAUK THEN YOU ARE NOT AS BIG A BIGSHOT AS I THINK YOU ARE!! Good Boating, from Texas!!!
JBCornwell	posted 02-28-2002 09:12 AM ET (US) Hmmm. Looks like a no-brainer to me. It's on my to-do list. Thanks, VDBGroup. Red sky at night. . . JB :)
Caceman	posted 03-01-2002 03:47 PM ET (US) Hey ya'll, Another grab rail related tip. If you are holding onto the console grab rail, over the top, while letting your buddy drive. And he suddenly realizes that he's about to come off of the top of a wave very HARD, so decides to throw the throttle back into neutral. Make sure that your palm is not resting on the windscreen. My windscreen is now missing a nice ovoid chunk on the left side. -Andrew
vdbgroup	posted 03-04-2002 08:53 PM ET (US) repost
trainer	posted 03-10-2002 12:42 PM ET (US) You can also use compressed air to help slide the grips on. Use the blower attachment on a compressor and shoot air under the grip while sliding. This is a trick used in bicycle shops to install foam and grips on handlebars
csj	posted 03-10-2002 09:38 PM ET (US) In the event you do not have "the needle", or access to a compressor I suggest hairspray. Spray in the tube and on the bar, and it will slide right on. After a few minutes it will become tacky, and never move again.