53 Clasic Railing Hardware

[CapetaniosG]

The round bases and top T's of my 53 classic railing look like Sh*t. Most of the plating has gone and would like to replace those with stainless steel. Called Sam's but no luck. They don't have them. Those in the several marine stores I visited mostly have the 90, 45, and 30 degree bases and no top T's with a tappered base used by Hatteras. Has any of you changed this hardware on your boat? If you did, where did you get the hardware from? I know it will be a PITA to remove the old bases but I think I can do it. It confounds me as to why Hatteras of all people, selected this junk and put them on an otherwise well built and beatiful boat. The guy in charge of railing was probably told to save money and he did by selecting junk. Any info/source will be appreciated.

capetaniosG

hatteras 53 MY

 

[ThirdHatt]

My stanchion bases and "T"'s are looking pretty bad as well. They are still functioning perfectly, just all the chrome plating has beed corroded away due to nearly 40 yrs of existence in a salt water environment. I'm not sure that I'd call the stanchion bases and "T"'s junk, considering they've lasted nearly 40 yrs on my boat! I believe that most people that are ambitious enough to remove and replace them (usually during a complete paint job) simply bring them to a chrome plating shop and have them re-chromed. That would return them to like-new, and they would look great for another 20+yrs before the salt water environment once again takes its toll. I agree that stainless would be better, but apparently that was not an option then and is not an option now. Good Luck!

 

[mike]

Good luck finding quality tri-metal plating with the current environmental laws.
Here on the west coast all of the good quality chrome plating houses are out of business.

 

[jim rosenthal]

OK....I just had a mooring bitt plated by Hanson Plating in Richmond, VA. They did a beautiful job, charged me fifty bucks, and had it back in ten days. You cannot beat this kind of service. I would highly recommend them if you want to replate your bases etc. Which is what I would do...

If you are throwing out your old Hatteras hardware, I'll pay whatever costs it takes to get it here. I am saving this stuff- sooner or later someone is going to need it. (although that stuff does not fit my boat). Please let me know.

FWIW, one of the problems with the bases is that the holes for the setscrews get wallowed out and the screws don't hold anymore. They can be drilled and retapped to a larger size setscrew which holds better- a 5/16"SS setscrew is what I used. I did this years ago and they are holding well so far. If you would rather spend hours than kilobucks or kiloeuros, this is the way to go.

You can also get a whole new railing system made up, welded together from 316L SS but it will cost you a lot. A big lot. If you can, I would update what you have.

 

[ThirdHatt]

Jim,

If you get to that point, I will be glad to chip in on the shipping because I need a couple of the "volcano" stanchion bases for my boat. Slim chance probably, because the re-plating is the way to go if cost is an issue (it usually is) for CapetaniosG but I just wanted to let you know that I'd help. I know we can get YachtsmanBill to chip in as well because he has mentioned on this forum that he is also looking for a volcano base. Someday maybe we'll all get lucky!

 

[mike]

Jim, did Hanson's do a Cu,Ni,Chrome plate job, or was it Ni, Chrome?

 

[jim rosenthal]

Copper, then nickel, then chrome. Call them. They don't do plastic or paypal or anything modern like that- check or COD- but the service is great. The mooring bitt is holding up perfectly. I have another one I am going to send them when I get caught up on things.

 

[wndsr]

I went through this situation about 2 years ago when restoring our 53'. My bases from the seaboards up are 10 degree stainless steel which I simply took off and polished. From there back they are the original chrome plated bronze. I tried everywhere to match up the fronts with no luck. I ended up having the rear replated at N.E.L. plating in Phila, Pa. Did a great job and his prices are at least in line. Don't go with the cheapest price-thats the type of job you will get.
Ben