Bow rail question-cutting!

[spitfisher]

I have a bow rail on my boat, that is continuance around the bow. I am now considering a wirless 50-60 inch shaft trolling motor. In order to retreive & retract the head unit for storage on the deck, I was thinking of cutting about 3 inches of the bow rail, allowing the shaft to be able to pass thru this opening. I would obviously have it finished off. Also considering having stainless or aluminium pipe that could be slide over this opening when not needed. The opening would only be needed when I am pulling up the trolling motor to store.

One other thing because I know it will be brought up...The bow rail is staying and I am not considering a transom mounted trolling motor.

Q Cutting the bow rail is it possible with a sawzall or skil type of saw with the right blade?

Or does this become a pain in the arse and have someone do it? I have marine fabricator that builds tuna towers, tee tops etc less than mile from my house.

[Gadabout Guinea]

I'm not going to comment on your application, just the method.

You need to use a pipe or tube cutter to make a good cut. A regular Ridgid tube or pipe cutter of the appropriate size for your tube will work, but you need to replace the blade with a harder blade for stainless steel. It will take a little patience and muscle to cut stainless with a tube cutter, but it is the best way to cut tube and is really not that hard to do. A sawzall or saw other than a commercial ID saw will hack it up and most likely not give you a square cut.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e345/cervellibei/Non-Sage/ridgidCutter.jpg

Some rails, like the one on my boat, have double wall sections at the bow for reinforcement, so you need to take that into consideration. If you are close to a marine fabricator, you might want to talk to them about your plans before you do any cutting. You want to have a good plan before you proceed.

Chris

[spitfisher]

I guess I am now leaning towards this as an option, this way I don't have to cut anything. the motor- if done correctly will then store just outside the bow rail.......any one seen this before? or better yet used one?

Kind of like a star board book shelf as a monting platform just outside the bow rail

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13634295@N06/2341234054/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13634295@N06/2341234054/

[brushfly]

It's hard to say without seeing the bow rail.

I once had a wrap around which snapped after hitting the dock in a hurricane.

I jury rigged elbows and mounts bringing it down to the top decks similar to what you are explaining. It now falls short of the bow, 1' from the bow light, port and starboard. I used rail fittings sold at all major marine supply stores. They also sell railing in two diameters. I did cut mine with a hack saw but didn't mind the rough edges as they were then capped with stainless fittings.