Smart Rails installed!

[Gazmn]

Hi All,

Wanted to post regarding recent mods, especially this one, 2 sets of M1000 Smart Rails.
God forbid I took picture b4 painting and putting it in the water; but here's a look at the starboard rail from the water line & also note last year's Keel Shield install.

While all rides are 100% drier, rides where I know that I'd be soaked from riding into the wind or a few points off, are Still 95% drier

I installed it just under the boot stripe - as per Tony Houk - Da man

Thanks Tony for all the help and input.

Keeping it on a straight line, under the boot stripe works great and doesn't affect sailing.
Here's a pic of the Smart Rail at work; This is mid starboard rail looking forward @ 18kts.


It really does push the water away from the boat. Setting it low provides an effective angle. Water doesn't ride up the side any more

I tried this mod before investing in an enclosure to stay dry. It's $3000 cheaper than the Dowsar Enclosrue...
- Which I still want - but can wait.

[bscott]

Nice

How long are they?

bscott

[Highlander]

Gazmn

When smartrails are installed by boat manufacturers they start from the mid bow usualy around the bow eye down to the hardchine this helps prevent the boats bow from submarining while going through big waves & going down big swells a well as deflecting the bow & hull spray they also help to stablize the boat from rocking side to side , but by installing them straight along the the water line at the bow you are creating a submarine dive efect on the bow when she enters the waves at midpoint !!! ? just something to ponder on !
But yep your right they will not stop the rain

J

[LisaBham]

How do these affect the sailing performance?

[Divecoz]

These sound great except for the potential to Submarine. Whats been the experience with that? Mounting at the boot stripe would surly reduce the spray but what about this potential to dive? If I were to install these , would I be better off to mount them in such a way as to bring the forward edge up towards the Bow Eye Hook?
To Me this issue of submarining is very scary! I have had my bow dig in or be buried very deeply, without Planning boards attached, and I can only imagine, a bad situation getting a lot worse should the bow suddenly dig in, and then dive down how much,another foot or more. I have been twice up to my mid calf in saltwater while standing at the helm in rough seas. Would the addition of these have made a bad situation worse?

[TonyHouk]

Wow Everyone,
Before you start saying what other manufactures do with a similar product you need to experience these. I have had them on my boat for a number of years. I have been offshore in conditions that most of ya'll would be sitting at home watching the weather channel. Like Greg said I have mine mounted like he does, right below the "boot stripe" and I have had no problems. The boat does not dive or submarine for that mater. I can go out in five foot seas and not be effected by any spray. They work as I described them a few years ago. Ya'll might want to think about them to keep your boats dry. I am done ranting now. Back to boating. Tony

[Gazmn]

Answers:

bscott: Each length is around 9', possibly < by 1 - 2"s. I put two on each side which when started from the bow brought me to a foot past the mid railing of the cockpit. There's a pic showing how far 2 rails go backhere, where the boat's on the trailer

Highlander & Dive... I did worry about submarining. However I was more concerned with affecting sailing performance and low speed motoring < 8kts.I thought the upturned strake could effect sailing while heeled over.

Also, I have not been in any water where I've buried my nose - before or since install. My reasoning is: the bow is narrow and doesn't have a lot of surface to catch a front wave. The smart rail only sticks out 1 1/2 inches. I don't think it can catch enough water to initiate submarining. I will watch for it though and I'm careful about going into wakes and waves anyway. You should always watch turns at a decent rate of speed; and that's the only other circumstance I'd think is relevant. I feel if it's big enough to come over the top - it ain't the smart rail that'll get me in trouble

LisaB: I haven't sailed yet. So I really can't speak from experience. I followed Tony's advice regarding rail placement. He's had it for several years now and considers it among his best mods. He'd really be the one that could address our concerns regarding sailing - which is why I think some on this board have watched this - but have held back from doing it. While consulting with him on this, he's had no complaints about placement, sailing or submarining. If he did he would have reccomended a different setup or not to install.

Lastly, if I find it does effect submarining, I'd simply shave them back from the bow, the first foot or so. But I don't expect to have to.

Thank you about your concern;
I'll keep you posted on my findings & hopefully, Tony'll chime in on this one too

[Divecoz]

Thanks Tony and Gaz.......
I am interested in reducing spray and I needed to hear for sure,........ that the issue of diving.... was a mute point..
Tony I may not go out as often in bad weather as you , but I do find myself out there every so often . I dont want to spend time and money adding something that makes the boat handle worse than the 6 Tons of mostly unneeded stuff I have stored on board already...
I really need to take half that crap out of the boat.

[tangentair]

Guys - it looks really good but why did you decide to use 2 sets? The web site says 1/3 of the way and 9 ft on 26 ft would be right there. As copied from website - "THE SMART-RAIL® is flexible (you may use a hair dryer) so the rail can be adjusted to the changing angle of the chine. For best spray control, the length should be equal to at least 1/3 the length of the water line." (if this sounds like a criticism - it certainly is not ment to be)

[TonyHouk]

DIve,
I am very sure that you will not be in one little bit disappointed with the addition of the rails. I spoke with Greg after we both posted. The reason I initially installed them on the boot stripe was because that was an easy line to follow. After having them on for the last bunch of years I know am glad that I have them that way. With the rails in a straight line you have in effect a chine rail. The boat handles just the same as before the addition. If they were mounted in such a way that they were angled up you would have a rudder, albeit a little one, that would pull you just a little off course to leeward.
Tangent,
I installed both sets of rails before I took the boat out for sea trials. I previously looked at how the bow wave reacted to the boat at speed. As you go faster the wave transitions it's way aft. With one set the rails cover to about the front of the cabin. At speed the wave will move up the side of the boat and into the cabin. I think two sets is optimal. I am trying to talk Greg into coming South so that we can get his speed problem worked out. In the mean time if he does I am going to have him get some videos of the rails in action. If y'all have any more questions just ask. Tony

[Gazmn]

I'll post some short 15 sec clips L8r 2nite

Have 2 go
-g

[Highlander]

Gazmn

I can see how bringing the smartrails up towards the boweye on a sail boat would hinder sailing speed a little some what ! , I guess by trimming or shaving them back a little at the bow would help ! and running them all the way back to the stern I think would help the boat track better when heeled as it would be running the rail so to speak thats one of the reasons the tracks so good when heeled it is basicaly running on the hard chine like a deep V , so it would be nice to see how these smartrails work while sailing
keep us posted as Tang said "not trying to be critical" but would like to hear more on how these fair
J

[Gazmn]

Here goes,

These are 10 & 15 sec movies that show what these rails do at speed & such.

THEY WORK...

I hope they're enough proof.

BTB, There is No Submarining. This is not a 100# overpowered jon boat with rails; This is a 3500 to 5000# boat. It doesn't catch and flip- or anything at our speeds & our size. It's not a speed boat hitting an air patch or catching a wave @ 120mph. It's a Winnebago brought up to planing speed. It's normally above the wave. & when plowing through waves you simply continue to plow through- You have the inertia of 5000 lbs behind you




Dumped & movin'


Throwing spray
Spray 2
Movin'

-Happy Boating

P. S. If you can't access my photobucket or they don't show up, let me know

[Gazmn]

2 rail sets is the way to go Tangent,

I'm with Tony on this. I returned an additional rail I bought to split and put an extra 4.5' per side.

& Highlander,
I went with this because I was: tired of getting wet, Tony's input, & the chine of the
Because of turning at speed, the strain put on a rear rail while turning, and the fact that the job of reducing spray is already done, 2 sets is our [ MacGregor] magic #.

It comes out to about $1200. It is among the best $ I've spent on improving my boat. Because no one likes a wet ride. I was miserable going back to port while in Florida, wind on the nose @ 18kts. I plodded along @ 5kts to mainly stay dry & swore to myself it was either this or an enclosure.
Seen here:

This was cheaper and positively effects your enjoyment while Operating on the water. I look forward to an enclosure more while Anchored on the water.

[TonyHouk]

High,
What do you mean on how they fair. I have had them on my boat for about four years. They look the same as they did when I put them on the boat. I can stand on them and they are not coming off. They have not cracked or dry rotted. They are worth the money.

Everyone else,
This will be the last time I post on these because y'all seem to be hesitant to take my advice or even someone else that has bought the rails. Look at the videos that Greg and I have posted and you will see that they work. THey have no downgrading of an effect on sailing. Position them so that they run the boot stripe in a straight line and you have a chine rail. That will help with the angle of stability. Enough said by me, y'all are on your own from here on this subject, Tony