Sea Rails

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.

That was funny!

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

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.

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

Is the meaning the same as a sissy-bar?

Or that a club in Miami Beach?

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.

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.

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

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

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 ...

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

Semper Fi

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.

A Rail is also the nickname for a Top Fuel drag racer.

What does that make a sea rail?

Something hot, fast and wet, costs a lot of money, months of preparation and lasts for 10 seconds of pleasure.

Sea Rails in the Galley

The term “sea rails” usually refers to the metal rails that run the circumference of the cooktop on a proper sea going stove. Pot holders often attach to the sea rails in order to hold a pan over a specific burner or specific place on a French top stove (like most diesel cookstoves), while the sea rails will generally keep pans from sliding off the cooktop in lighter seas.

Not to be contrary as mariners from all countries have their own interesting jargon with none of it being wrong and some making no sense, I believe common usage is that sea rails address shelves, tables and other horizontal surfaces; grab and hand holds are for the poor souls on board; with fiddles and keepers being relegated to the galley.

There was an earlier thread that addressed marine terminology. Interesting reading for all who escape to the sea.

FISHTIGUA,

This describes my second wife on the beach during our honeymoon in Hawaii!

Never new what to call her but.... now I do.

Many thanks for clearing this up for me.

ZIA

My Dear fellow, welcome to the club. Do have a cigar.

Fish