Good stainless steel fabricator

G

goplay

Member
exMember
Joined
Feb 25, 2005
RO Number
16409
Messages
204
My boat will be in south FL, hopefully by March. I have stainless steel rails around the engines and was thinking of creating storage above the engines by adding some stainless steel rails for support. There looks to be plenty of space around the CAT C32 for airflow and for the storage. I would want to be able to disassemble the in case of major engine work.

First, is there some reason I shouldn't do this?

Second, any recommendations on a fabricator?

I will be at the Miami Boat Show so I hope I can meet with candidates there.

Thanks!
 
Can you post a picture?

The only draw backs I can see are access to the tops of the engines in an emergency and what ever you put above the engines is going to be over a lot of heat.
 
bill is right, heat will be a concern above and close to the engine, LOTS of radiant heat once those engines are shut down. Probably OK for tools and stuff, but' i'd think twice about storing parts like impellers, belts even filters.

if you want to be able to disassemble the rack, then why not use SS tube with angle fittings that can be removed. No need for a fabricator or welder... it's an easy DIY project.
 
Thanks for the replies. Yes, I have considered the heat issue. First, the rack would be only at the aft end of the engine (transmission end) and not completely above the entire engine. Second, there would probably be 2 feet+ of space between the bottom of the rack and the engine. Third, if necessary I would add some heat shield.

"why not use SS tube with angle fittings that can be removed. No need for a fabricator or welder... it's an easy DIY project." That's kind of what I was thinking... except for the DIY part! My DIY history always end up looking DIY!
 
well, even if you can't cut the SS tube clean, the ends will be hidden in the fittings... :-)

if you get it done by a "yacht" facilities, it will cost you an arm, a leg and some other precious part of your anatomy but there a few iron shops near the miami river (bring a spanish interpreter...) and they should be able to bend and weld SS for cheap.

i'd stick with the DIY approach, replacing the allen set screws in the fitting with nuts and bolts, drilling the tube, to make sure it doens't vibrate loose.
 
Pascal, you're probably right that it is easy enough to do... just a matter of getting the pieces.
 
lots of used railings at some boat junk yards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top