---

Some of my rail fittings need to be replaced, primarily the one at the bow and one of the supports that holds the side rail on. The side rail "stanchions" look pretty proprietary, where can I buy those?

I searched, but couldn't find anything.

Chris

---

Sue at Twin City, sponsor here, should be able to get the stanchions. Replacing the T's on the side rails will require cutting the rails as they are originally a one piece design and the T's will not make the bend. There are two piece T's available.

There is a lot of info here regarding replacing the fittings.

---

Can you point me to a vendor that sells the two piece tees?

thanks

Chris

---

Do not use the two piece Tees. Just cut and splice with 4 inch long "hot dogs" (length of 3/4" stainless steel tubing).

There will not be any loss of strength using these splined joints and it costs less too.

---

Tom, the Engineer in me is telling me not to cut the rail, but you think it is the best way? I see 3/4" stainless tube being mentioned as the best hotdog material. What wall thickness should I use?

Is there a tutorial somewhere that shows the process? I assume you remove the setscrews from the stainless tees and bolt directly into the "hotdog?"

Chris

---

I may seem counterintuitive, but the hot dogs are every bit as strong as the solid rail. In fact, the Whaler factory used hot dogs in several rails that were too large to easily ship (Montauk and Super Sport bow rails used hot dogs).

I believe the factory hot dogs were .049 but you could use .065 as well.

You remove the set screws, slide the old Tees out of the way, cut the rail in the middle of the Tee location, remove the old Tees and slide the hot dog and new Tees into place.

You then drill/tap through the set screw holes and the hot dogs and synch it all up tight with new set screws or stainless steel pop rivets.

There is much prior discussion of this technique.