Help! Need to attach a bow rail/cleats

[SGI]

I bought a used 18 cc, and need to put a bow rail and two spring line cleats on it. I want these to be bolted through the gunwale with backing plates, but there is an extension/overhang off the side (under which you store fishing rods and oars etc) that is attached by screws and silicon caulking. This appears to join the liner of the boat, just below the gunwale and I can't tell if when I take it off, there will be access under the gunwale to attach the bolts. Does the SeaCraft design not allow you this access? If not, any alternatives that will be strong enough to support stanchions and cleats? Any advice MUCH appreciated.

[deepsushi]

SGI--

I just removed the bow rail off my 78 18' so here is what I found. I removed the port gunwale covering board by removing the screws and running a utility knife down the caulked seam so that I could replace the fuel fill and vent hose. The covering board is a "U" shaped insert with a plywood core that gets screwed and sealed with caulk. On my boat both the stanchions and cleats were all through bolted. The outboard bolts on the stanchions were just barely catching the plywood core and were a little iffy. I was able to remove all the bolts except the most forward stanchion mount on the covering board without removal. I drilled out the heads on the starboard stanchion as I did not feel like removing the whole section to simply get at 3 bolts.

IMO the bowrail is unnecessary and really detracts from the lines of the boat. The only place they are truly "usable" is when you are standing on the bow casting platform. If you choose to go with the bow rail make sure that you properly seal the bolts as they are a great place for water to enter your core.

p.s Some 18's have a low profile rail that is a much cleaner look than the high bow rail. If I was to re add the bowrail I would have some low profile ones done by an aluminum fabricator.

[eggsuckindog]

Never had one on my '78 and it was never a problem when anchoring. Don't like the look of the high one and it makes entering the bow of the boat a real pain if beached.

[SGI]

Deepsushi,

Many thanks for the helpful advice. Just so I am clear. When you took off the U-shaped covering board, you were able to get access under the gunwale for through-bolting? When I look under mine, it seems as though the top edge of the boat's liner comes very close to the height of the gunwale. Guess I just need to take it off and see what presents itself.

I agree about the look of the bowrail, but spend much of my time in Woods Hole, and environs, with kids under 10 bouncing around in the bow. Just feel like I need the safety of the rail. thanks again, SGI