I'm cleaning up the gunnels on my 1978 aluminum boat, removing unused snaps and rivets and filling the holes prior to painting. I have two mystery fittings that I have no idea what they do.
both are on the port (left) side of the boat about 32" apart. Any ideas? Hooks for a removable boarding ladder maybe? They're pretty light duty, stamped sheet metal, with an open side facing the inside of the boat narrowing down to the U shaped slot you see. I figure they're safe to remove but thought I'd find out what they're for first.
And yes, the title should have been "stainless" and not "skinless." Thank you autocorrect.
No Time
SuperDork
3/24/22 9:36 p.m.
It's for inflatable fenders. The fenders have a rope with a plastic clip that fits into that bracket.
edited to add image and correct termi from bumper to fender.
mtn
MegaDork
3/24/22 9:36 p.m.
I would guess they were used for fenders.
I would say safe to remove.
No Time said:
It's for inflatable fenders. The fenders have a rope with a plastic clip that fits into that bracket.
edited to add image and correct termi from bumper to fender.
beat me to it, but I second your correctness.
Man that was quick thanks! What about these rectangular receiver pocket things that are inside the gunnels? There are six of them, three on each side down the length of the boat. Cover supports?
No Time
SuperDork
3/24/22 10:06 p.m.
I had bracket like that on one of my trucks for an old style tonneau with separate bows, but haven't seen them on a boat.
I suspect you are right and bows would be helpful, especially if the boat was ever kept on a slip or mooring.
dculberson said:
Man that was quick thanks! What about these rectangular receiver pocket things that are inside the gunnels? There are six of them, three on each side down the length of the boat. Cover supports?
No idea what that is called but....
There should be another one of those on the opposite side of the boat. You put a piece of wood, (cant remember the size but small enough to be flexable) into one side, then the other. There should be a slight upward arc to the wood. Your boat cover goes over top. The arc in the wood keeps water from pooling.
Confirm. Boat cover bow pockets
The ss clips can also be used for a ladder but I'm betting fenders as well.
Late to this party.
The stainless keyholes look more like Bouy-o-boy brand ladder clips to me, but could be used for bumpers as well. Bumper clips are usually a little beefier - which sounds counter-intuitive, but when you get a good chop at the dock and the bumper grips while the boat is heaving, it makes some very strong forces in excess of what you might think. Also, since you mention they are on one side, it suggests ladder.... although the 32" apart would be a really wide ladder.
My gradparents Starcraft was exactly like yours and came from the factory with those clips and a boarding ladder that clipped into it, but there's weren't 32" apart... at least I don't think so. 18" tops.
The rectangular receptacles are indeed for cover support bows. The old-school way to make bows was to use a flexible wood like Hickory, but more commonly they are fiberglass these days.
Awesome, thanks for all the input and for the title help. The fender or ladder clips are now off and I'm keeping the cover support brackets hoping to use them. Since my cover needs support! I've got all the fittings and such off the gunnels and will take some pics and update the hole in the water thread once I get some more progress. As always any project ends up expanding beyond the scope expected.
