CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: will a bow railing taken off a 2002 MONTAUK [could mean a 17 but could mean a 170, a different model] fit correctly on a 1990 MONTAUK [again, probably means a 17].

Q2: for what reason would the newer bow railing not fit the older boat?

BACKSTORY

I just inherited the family boat, a 1990 Montauk [probably a 17]. My Dad took off the bow railing in the 1990’s. I am to get everything back to its original look and enjoy the safety the bow railing will offer my children. I found a bow railing that was taken off a 2002 Montauk and would love to put it on mine, but it is located several hours away. I don't want to make the trip if the railing won't fit a Montauk built 12 years prior.

[Moderator’s note: when identifying a particular model, use the model year designation in four digits, the model family name, the specific model identity (usually a two digit or three digit number corresponding approximately to the hull length), and any variations from the standard model (such as work boat hull, Whaler Drive, Anniversary Edition, etc).]

In 2002 Boston Whaler redesigned the Montauk [17 and the new model was designated the 170 MONTAUK] , but both the new and old models were available for a short time.

You may want to clarify from which model the 2002 railing came off.

austinbooth wrote:Q2: for what reason would the newer bow railing not fit the older boat?

Older bow railings may have been mechanically fastened together. Newer bow railings were typically welded together. The location of the stanchions and their bases might not be identical.

If the “newer” railing is from a “170” and not from a “17”, there could be a misalignment of the location of the stanchion bases. Typically the bow railing stanchion bases would be located to match with areas of the deck and gunwales where there was embedded reinforcements in the hull to carry the loading of screw fasteners that attach the railings to the deck. To assume that the two different models had exactly the same locations for the reinforcements might be too optimistic.