Trojan Boat Forum

I am getting ready to put a gate in the taffrail. Who has a gate in theirs, and where is it located? I am thinking about putting it on the port side, but that would only have one stantion between the gate and the corner. I am not sure if that would be strong enough side to side or do I need to put the gate on the centerline so that there are two stations between the gate and the side. Any advice from gate owners?

Mine is in the middle, which I believe is the factory location.

There is a bolt on step on the transom that is on the port side. That is why I was thinking about putting it there, I don't know if the step is original or not.

Or no rail at all

Don't think I have any good pics already loaded to photobucket.. but my factory gate (1979) is starboard side (corner, then one stanchion in, then gate, then second stanchion). May be able to find pics tomorrow when I am awake.

Putting the gate 1 stanchion in vs 2 doesn't really make any difference. The biggest point is this : the rail is NOT meant for sitting on!!! My 280 pound father-in-law set about doing that a couple weeks ago, and regardless of my blood pressure going through the roof I calmly suggested he park his fat arse - um - I mean "might find it more comfortable" in a cushioned deck chair instead!!

If you don't put stupid loads on the railing or the stanchions holding it up, it doesn't really matter where the gate is. Wherever you put the gate, just watch out for people reefing on the railing, or the 'gate' portion (which could bugger your hinge) and "edumacate" them in how best to safely board (or un-board) your boat (ie where to hold or pull, and where not to...) Grabbing the bases of the stanchions is way better than grabbing and yanking on the railing itself. Grabbing and yanking on the molded fiberglass is even better.

Thanks for the quick responses. I think that I want to keep the rail since my wife isn't the most stable person, she sometimes looses her balance. We had her in the ER last week with vertigo... I just wanted to make sure one stanchion would be strong enough. Thanks again.

Here's a shot.

nice looking boat Capt.

gettaway wrote:nice looking boat Capt.

Thx!

my 77 has a 3 gates.

One on either side of the cockpit, and one on the port side of the transom.

Ill try to get some pics today

Tom