Straighten a bent guard rail

[sheboyganjohn]

Just getting head start for a project this spring. I have a 1973 Sea Ray 240 Weekender I will be restoring. The one issue that I have that I am unsure of is how to fix a bent rail. The hand/ guard rail that goes all around the deck has two bent areas, one is near the bow, looks like someone fell on it at one time, and another is in the starboard corner. Neither one is kinked, just bent. Is there something that can be done while on the boat to striaghten them out a bit or is this something where I have to take them off and use a press of some sort.

I do not have any pics at this time, boat is in storage for the winter.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

I haven't got any real data (personal experience or info posted elsewhere) to back up my answer, but I no, I doubt that it'll be done DIY while still on the boat. A pro, maybe, but it'll likely be easier off the boat.

They are likely hollow, I've seen hollow pipes bent more smoothly when sand filled.......

But you might check thru these:
[h=3]Thread: need help with bending stainless steel tubing for deck[/h]
[h=3]JD2's model 53 bender- handrails - YouTube[/h]
Both found w/ google

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

I looked at the two links, but I want to unbend the tubing. I was searching youtube and found a video of a device a guy made to straighten bent trolling motors. The concept might work.

Straighten a bent trolling motor shaft with Straighten-EZE. - YouTube

Just wanted to put out feelers to see if anyone else has done something else.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

I had one bend in the very front of my 23' Formula. After a lot of thinking I found it was just easier to start with a fresh piece stainless tubing and have it curved to fit. (not that expensive) For some reason everything I tried to straighten it just put in one more bend I didn't want.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

I guess it will depend on how particular you are, and how bad the bends are. Also, is it round tube, square tube or molded. My boat had a LOT of bent railings due to a collapse of the storage building it was in before I purchased it. I used several methods and was not looking for perfection. Without pictures, the best suggestion would be to cover the rail with cloth to avoid scratches, sandwich the rail between 2 pieces of 2x4 and squeeze together using C clamps. Another method is to strap the rail down securely to the trailer frame at the points on each side of the bend where it attaches to the boat. Then use a hydraulic jack on a large piece of wood (to spread the weight) to push the rail back up into shape. use a piece of wood between the jack and rail to lessen the chance of bending the railing. GO SLOW!

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

Thanks for the ideas Jeep Man. It is round tube and I am looking for a 20' job (looks o.k. from 20') Those sound like ideas that would work.

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

i would drill out a section of a solid piece of wood so that it fits tight around the bar and then using some leverage like another piece of wood on the floor of the boat and the lever that's fitted to the bar being about 4' long slowly pry the bar up. Use different angles for needing to pry it out or in. I am assuming it is bent down in or out and not up since you said it looks like someone fell on it.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Straighten a bent guard rail

Just wondering if a local muffler/exhaust pipe shop could help you out? Worth asking, IMO.