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Topic:   Railing Tee Replacement

RocketMan

posted 01-30-2005 09:08 AM ET (US)         Trying to save a buck and/or do things yourself sometimes works, sometimes not. The side railing tees on my '68 Sakonnet had almost all split from corrosion and it was time to replace. Seems like boats these days like aluminum and stainless cost a significant amount, so a relative cheap repair approach was taken. The set screws were drilled out from the tees, which were split to remove them only to and discover the siderails to be one piece. Local marine store had nice new stainless tees. So how to install? Genius went to Home Depot, got a tubebending tool and UNbent one end of the tubing. It didn't look like it was going to work out as the tubing was wavy. But, pounded on the new tees anyway and rebent the tubing. The old radius of the tube bend and the new tool were close but could have been closer. Strange, but when the tubing was rebent, MOST of the wrinkles straightened back out. This whole caper cost about 100 bucks for a tool, the tees, and the majority of two Saturdays not to mention the sideshow that went with messing around with the standoffs that mount to the hull. I don't recommend this way, just telling a tale. The siderails are installed, they're strong, not new looking but pretty decent. The bowrail's next, not sure the siderail approach will work, though have read the rail is split under some of the tees. Also read that somebody in MA still makes the tubing. But what fun would that be?

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