[JWY]

"....not a sea rail to be found"

I read this term on another post, but am unfamiliar with it. Started looking for the term elsewhere and only found one relevant website that sells them, but they look like fiddles for stove tops. Is sea rail another term for grab rails or hand holds? What's the most accepted term for hangin-on?

Judy

[Marmot]

It may be a reference to the removable rails or boards used on a bunk to prevent the occupant from launching when the pull of gravity is in a direction other than toward the keel.

[JWY]

Originally Posted by Marmot

It may be a reference to the removable rails or boards used on a bunk to prevent the occupant from launching when the pull of gravity is in a direction other than toward the keel.

Hmm, aren't those called lee boards or lee cloths?

Judy

[YachtForums]

Originally Posted by Marmot

to prevent the occupant from launching when the pull of gravity is in a direction other than toward the keel.

That was funny!

Could the term be a reference to the hand-holds that line a ceiling?

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by JWY

'Hmm, aren't those called lee boards or lee cloths?

Only when they are not star boards can you call them a lar boards and even then you really ought to be on a sailboat or an old Dutch barge.

[PropBet]

Technically, would it be the same as the "Oh Sh*t!!" handle in a car?

[FISHTIGUA]

Is the meaning the same as a sissy-bar?

Or that a club in Miami Beach?

[CODOG]

I vaguely remember the term being used for the wires between the stanchions along the edges of side decks on sailing yachts...I read it somewhere I'm sure, but in what context we shall never know.

[Loren Schweizer]

Rail: what some bloggers do after having met an opposing point of view.

Overhead handrail: what Marmot is refering to and what some notable mfg'ers add to their salon overheads to preclude said launch.

Fiddle: what Nero did way back in the day.

Keeper: a fiddle found on a proper yacht.

Sissybar: a device to prevent the passenger from falling off the back end of the manly chopper while fleeing the scene of a hissy fit down at the local gay lounge.

[rocdiver]

Originally Posted by JWY

"....not a sea rail to be found"

Judy

I think Stan was using the loose translation which we have often used in the military which basically is any type of guard to prevent the spilling of contents of many different types of storage areas in the types of seas which Marmot so eloquantly described.

So, it could be small rails across bookshelves, the guards to keep the pots from sliding off the stove, raised lips to keep things from moving about in lockers and yes, maybe even a grab rail in the head

He's a busy guy but I'm sure he'll weigh back in shortly and be amused at the thread he inadvertently instigated

ROCKY

[m2m]

Could you be referring to Smart Rails? (no affiliation)

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by Loren Schweizer

"Overhead handrail: what Marmot is refering to and what some notable mfg'ers add to their salon overheads to preclude said launch."

No, I was referring to those folding or removable boards that are placed on the sides of a bunk to keep the occupant from becoming a projectile. In their absence you just move the mattress over to form a wall and wedge a lifejacket and gumbee suit in the other side then sleep in the valley.

I think it was Carl who offered up the overhead rail things. I haven't a clue what they are called despite having had a bunch of them on the overhead of my tugboat wheelhouse that I spent an inordinate amount of time wrapping with small stuff in fancy patterns to give the impression a real salt lived there. I might have just called them hand-holds or something like that.

And the delicate little things on a bookshelf are fiddles. Hence the term fiddley being used to describe delicate little things that will break if you lean on them too hard. Not to be confused with an engine room fiddely which is the grating through which deckies can look down and see hot stuff and greasy bits between passing clouds of smoke and steam.

This thread could go on forever ...

[rocdiver]

Originally Posted by Marmot

And the delicate little things on a bookshelf are fiddles. Hence the term fiddley being used to describe delicate little things that will break if you lean on them too hard.
This thread could go on forever ...

Sorry Marmot, In the Marine Corps we were not allowed to use fiddley little terms like fiddley. With Stan's background I doubt he was either.

I agree with Carl in that your description of heavy seas was CLASSIC!

You're right, this could go on longer than the "Rouge Sunseeker"

ROCK

[YES!]

Can't believe it took a "jarhead" (meant in the most endearing way) to teach you landlubbers about sea rails.

The simple sailor definition is: They keep the s**t on the shelves and your grog on the mess table.

[JWY]

Originally Posted by Marmot

...between passing clouds of smoke and steam..

At least it's not passing gas

In summary, this is how I call the thingies discussed:

Grab rails: a wooden or stainless bar to grab to prevent people from falling. These can be affixed to the hull or inside.

Hand holds: frequently interchangeable with grab rails, but used more when they are overhead.

Fiddles: to prevent objects from falling or spilling such as on stoves, bookshelves, or raised lip countertops.

Lifelines: the lines between stanchions on the deck.

Lee cloths or lee boards: for sailboats to prevent falling out of the berth.

Sea rails: lee cloths on powerboats And s**t keeper?

Also, I think there is another name for the fiddles on table and counter tops.

Judy