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I have a 1988 Montauk 17 and it does not currently have a bow rail. I want to add the bow rail. I plan on sourcing it from Specialty Marine. The pictures on their site do not show screws or bolts with hardware. Does it come with the screws or bolts and if not where do you source them and what type and size do they need to be? Do you drill pilot holes? Do you seal the holes with anything? Are there any videos available on how to do the job correctly? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

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I would contact the vendor to check if hardware is included.

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Thank you. Yes, I planned on doing that Monday, My hope was that in the mean time, someone here would have some tips and direct experience to share.

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I do not have any firsthand experience with the Specialty Marine stainless rails; However, I do know they have 3 pages of instructions on how to install the bow rail on a BW17 hull, which includes an inventory of hardware. https://www17.corecommerce.com/~speci...ctions.pdf

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I don't like those instructions from Specialty at all, and would not use them since there are absolutly no location dimensions given for fitting installation in the boat. I would try to find Whaler's original installation drawings, which will have a dimensioned drawing as to where the fittings are supposed to be installed.

Whaler's rails are designed to be "pre-stressed" by the fitting locations on the hull, so they are tight and do not rattle. Installling fittings simply where they fall will give you non-pre-stresssed rail which will rattle and be loose.

When I bought my Ribside 21, some tees had been replaced on the rails, and then the bases were re-drilled simply where they fell. The rail rattled like crazy. Then looking at it closely, I found the original rail base holes, which had been filled, and re-drilled them out so the bases could be in the intended position and achieve the intended pre-stress. Now the bow rail is absolutely tight and rattle free.

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Thank you, much appreciated.