Adding Bulwarks

triton318 · Post by **triton318** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:09 pm

In four years, I plan to do some extensive offshore cruising (ocean passages) on my Pearson Triton. I have a list of things I'd like to do to the boat before then, and near the top of that list is "add bulwark rails." I like the idea of a bulwark, perhaps 6" high, that would help keep things like sails, line, gear, and me aboard the boat.

Has anyone added bulwarks to their fiberglass boat? Has anyone ever thought of doing this and worked out a plan? Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions for this?

My initial thoughts included welding SS brackets onto stanchion bases--the bulwark rails would be attached to these brackets. And to brackets on the stern and bow pulpits.

Thanks!

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:01 pm

I like your initial thoughts. If I were going that route that is probably what I would do. High enough to provide real security, with a couple of inches of gap underneath to pass a lot of water off the decks if you are shipping green water on board.

I also like your plans because, aethestically, bulwarks on a Triton would be pretty tough to pull off. They are probably never going to look very good. Attaching them to brackets on the stanchions (might want to beef up those stanchions) means you can pull them off for the 95% of sailing when you don't need them. Added flexibility.

You might also consider a beefier toerail. Just one extra inch provides a lot of additional security underfoot. It wouldn't catch loose sails but it does a lot to catch loose feet. Here is a picture of Nathan's toerail that I have re-posted on the forum before.

-Britton

Post by **dasein668** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:49 pm

I can't recommend enough a beefier toerail like the one I added to Dasein. The difference in the feeling of security when walking around on a heeled sidedeck is amazing. Really. I love my new toerail. Love it. No, really. I LOVE it!

Post by **Tim** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:25 am

But do you love it?

Post by **Tim** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:32 am

I think for the purpose of this specific discussion it's important to note that Nathan's boat had a different toerail to begin with--a wooden half-round like all the very late-model Tritons, instead of the molded fiberglass round. The deck edge on the boats that came with the wooden toerail from the factory has a nice flat area that is perfect for installing rails like Nathan's.

In my opinion, putting a wooden toerail like this on top of the molded half-round on the earlier boats would not work well aesthetically, leading to a weird "stacked" appearance, and would also be more difficult to execute. So just keep that in mind as the ideas keep bouncing around.

I think the bracket solution, for what you're specifically looking for, might be a good one. This has been done before on a variety of boats. Just be sure the stanchions and bases are up to the task of the potential forces you might place on this new bulwark.

Post by **dasein668** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:54 am

Oh, good point. I always forget about those molded glass rails.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:32 pm

I've been fooling around with the idea of adding an aluminum bullwark to my triton, which has the short... slippery... rounded... fiberglass toe rail. It is not exactly confidence inspiring to man handle the 170% genoa down the hatch while sliding around the bow. (I learned about apparent wind that day!)

Also pondering a few one by one strips running fore and aft on the deck to have something to grab with the knees/toes.

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:48 pm

not exactly confidence inspiring to man handle the 170% genoa down the hatch while sliding around the bow

Roller furler.

Hehe,

-Britton

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:17 pm

Britton... sometimes you just aren't funny! (GRIN!)

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:11 am

Jackstays & a harness will do the job. It's the only rig that will keep you with the boat and you can stow them below when you don't need them so you don't have to make your boat look funny.

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:11 pm

A fellow on the Ariel forum has added bulworks complete with scuppers to his toe rails. Our Ariels have identical molded plastic toe rails to the Tritons. I think it came out pretty good, but I'd like to see a shot from the side. Ariels have more freeboard than Tritons, and personally, I'd be hesitant to add too much more height.

Picture of: Bulworks

Picture of: Scuppers

You can put me on the "toe rail envy" list...

Post by **Tim** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:23 pm

Wow, those are really tall. They will be quite noticeable from the profile view.

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:41 pm

If you get a copy of the book The Finely Fitted Yacht, Volume 2" by Ferenc Mate he has a section on "Add-on bulwarks".

He shows specially designed cast bronze stanchion bases designed by naval architect LyLe Hess. Mate states that the castings can be purchased from the builder in Vancouver, Canada. (Sorry, name of vendor not given).

Mate includes several drawings and photographs which should definately give you some ideas if you decide to proceed.

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:41 pm

I think Lin and Larry Pardey have a boat equipped with those. Their bulwark isn't an extension of the frames through the deck like a normal wood boat, but has a gap, and bronze mounts. Don't know if it the whole length is like that.

Don't remember if the picture is in self sufficient sailor or one of their other books...

Zach

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:03 pm

Foundry Patterns for Taleisin's Hardware Now Available for General Use

I don't see bulwark knees or anything like that on the list, but it might be worth a phone call.

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:09 am

I think Lin and Larry Pardey have a boat equipped with those.

Yes, Mate states that Hess's fittings were used on the Pardey's boat Seraffyn.

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:58 am

Here are some tall bulwarks that look really nice. :)

Schooner Juno: (From Benjamin Mendlowitz's Wooden Boat calendar) I ask for his calendar every year for Xmas - really fantastic pictures!

Tim Mertinooke · Post by **Tim Mertinooke** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:35 pm

Tim and Mike, did you guys plan the whole dualing avatar thing or what?

I read a book a while back written by Hal Roth called How to Sail Around the World and he details adding a bulwork to the stanchions nicely.

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:19 pm

Sorry, that's like the only picture of my boat under sail I have.

How's this one?

Or is the whole cartoon thing too much like Figment's? :)

LazyGuy · Post by **LazyGuy** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:12 pm

Avatar as an avatar. How novel! Wizards is one of my favorite movies.

Tim Mertinooke · Post by **Tim Mertinooke** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:31 am

MikeD wrote:Sorry, that's like the only picture of my boat under sail I have.

And what a nice picture it is/was. :)

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:34 pm

Triton318,
A decent toerail is a nice thing to have on a boat and a bulwark is even nicer as it does contribute to a sense of being safe on deck, but if you are going offshore THE only thing that is likely to keep you with your boat is a harness. I flew SAR in the USCG for seven years & I can tell you, if you fall overboard, and a 6" bulwark will do little to keep you on board, you are dead. Yeah, I know there are exceptions. I once saw a skydiver on TV whose 'chute didn't open allowing him to fall thousands of feet onto a concrete runway. He lived to tell about it, but I wouldn't take a Triton offshore without a harness anymore than I'd go skydiving without a parachute.

... not that a nice, varnished toerail doesn't look great on a boat.

triton318 · Post by **triton318** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:18 am

Thanks for the replies--I appreciate the input.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:37 am

Jay,

You might try these folks in Port Townsend, WA

http://www.porttownsendfoundry.com/id25.htm

Good luck,

David

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