Bow rail removal
 

I bought my 91 MX20 last fall and always hated the look of the tall bow rail that was installed by a previous owner. Also, I truly don't see the benefit of having such a large bow rail either.

While driving the boat this past weekend, I got tired of staring at the rail while sitting in the cockpit, it made the boat feel like the bow was pointing up at the sky all the time. I finally came to the conclusion that the rail had to come off.

A little knuckle busting here and there and the rail popped right off. I capped the holes with silicone and white push darts, not perfect, but it looks pretty good. Plus, if I later decide to reinstall the old bow rail, that option is always there. In the future, I might install a low profile bow rail, or maybe a pair that run parallel to each other mounted on each side of the cuddy hatch.

Here's a pair of before and after pics. Let me know what you think.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Good choice!! Looks good

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Re: Bow rail removal
 

I like it as well. Has a clean look to it.

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Re: Bow rail removal
 

Much better. I agree a low profile rail would look better.

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Re: Bow rail removal
 

Looks good, clean and smooth.


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Re: Bow rail removal
 

You probably already know this... but from now until you reinstall a new bow rail, you must not allow anyone to ride on the front of the boat while it is motion. It is a federal offense to allow any one to ride on the front unless there is a recessed area for seating or a bow rail. Even dropping or retrieving an anchor while moving is forbidden. There are workarounds for that case, like having a retrieval line from the anchor line to the cockpit. I was ignorantly guilty of that infraction many years back and was lectured by a federal law officer on the subject.

p.s. I don't see that bow rail as being very high. The one on my sailboat is much higher. Also, I think that a bow rail was standard equipment.

More: After searching online I can't find any information on the federal laws on this. But it looks like the states may have taken over the responsibilities. In Florida for example, even a bow rail isn't enough to allow bow riding. You may want to check your state's laws on this.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Appreciate the advice GaryDoug. I will look into the legality issue of riding on top. I'm not against installing a low profile bow rail, just that this one was too high for my liking. In fact, while polishing my boat after the removal of the rail, I came across a couple of patched holes where the original bow rail was mounted. I thought that it was odd that I never could find a pic of my bow rail in the original documentation and now I know why.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Looking at constructing a new set of bow rails, I realized the expense of new rails are quite costly. I considered an alternative was a pair of safety grab bars for a bathroom. I came across a smoking deal on Amazon for a stainless pair for only $40. I did know ahead of the game that the bar diameter was 1 1/4", but in reality it was 1 1/2". After dry fitting them, I feel that the bars are too fat to look decent, so I'll hold out until I come across a deal on a real set of rails with 7/8" diameter.

Here's what the large bars would have looked like. Again, I'm not going to install these.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Can you modify your old ones to give you the look you want?

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Re: Bow rail removal
 

Yeah those don't look good. 😎

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Re: Bow rail removal
 

Forgot about my thread. I ending up fabbing up a set of rails with posts online. I'm happy with the outcome, looks sportier too.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Dang, you guys must have some real hard cases watching out for bow riding. In Oklahoma we bowfish off the front so rails just get in the way. That's why they call them "bow" riders:)

Seriously, if you have a cutoff saw and a buddy that has a welder I think you could make the old rails work for a new look. If you shorten the middle supports and move the back supports toward the bow you should be able to align with the original holes. Is there a threaded nut welded into the end of the supports?

Re: Bow rail removal
 

His boat isn't a bowrider, it's a cuddy.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

I prefer the parallel rails versus the traditional bow rail anyways. I'll see if I can sell off the tall one I have now.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Yes, definitely a cuddy. Just making a joke about riding on the bow vs bow rider.

Re: Bow rail removal
 

Gotcha, I'm a li'l slow on the uptake today.