Pushpit rail repair

[Dehla_Soul]

The pushpit rail on the starboard quarter of my Dehler 34 has been bent inwards. What is the best way of getting it back into shape?

Options I see are:
- repair it myself based on advice I receive here
- ask a boat yard to repair it
- replacing it with a new one

Comments?

BTW - I have already 'leaned' on it but it stubbornly refused to move.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mirabriani]

IMHO Remove it from boat and take it to a car body repairer. They will have a "Portapower" hydraulic ram type thingy. They tell me the secret is to reverse the pressure that caused it. You might raise a smile telling them how it happened.
Hope this helps.
Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[William_H]

The answer is to try to fix it yourself and if that fails try to get someone else to fix it and if that fails ave a noo one. You could try clamping some solid steel (box section or angle that is a lot stiffer than the rail) next to the bent section then use a large clamp to pull the concave section toward the steel bar. You may have to clamp the steel bar out on blocks of wood so that you can pull it beyond straight so that it springs to near straight. You may also clamp two ends of a beam onto the bent area using spacer blocks that will enable you to get a jack into the space to press the bend back to straight rather than pull with a clamp in the first option. Don't use a hydraulic jack as they won't work on their side. I would be reluctant to remove the rail as it may end up sprung such that it will be difficult to get the mounting bolts in again. No it probably will never look right again but it may end up acceptable and if you are like me you would have to try. good luck and be careful the clamps dont slip and the jack end up in the water. tie a piece of rope to each piece first. regards will

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bugs]

If there is any kinks or dents in the tube it will be difficult to straighten and will certainly be much weaker . I managed to roughly straighten my pullpit with block and tackle (with due care and paranoia about the deck attachement points!).
While i got it back to the general shape I was worried about the overall strength due to a indentation in one spot (and the ribbing I got about my boxers nose pullpip) so I removed it and had an engineering shop (one acustomed to welding stainless) cut out the damaged section and insert a new piece. It never looked as new but it was straighter and stronger than the rebent option. I changed boats the following season so not sure about the long term appearance of repair.

William H is right about the deck attachment.
I gave the measurement positions for the deck attachments to the welder - it wasn't perfect but with effort and a second pair of hands I managed to get it back in place. I would make a plywood template so they can bolt it in the correct position in the shop. If its forced back into place it means there is constant pressure acting somewhere.

Stainless work hardens so serious rebending will weaken it. Ideally you should stress relieve it. Polish it up as much as possible and if possible passivate it.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[mirabriani]

"Passivate it"
Your avingalarf aintcha
Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>