Another project I "stole" from Rob Hoffman's SUNDOG.

I used four split rail clamps that fit 1 inch tube and then four bimini top tube ends that cap off the rails.

Those split rail clamps (seen clamped on the boarding step handholds) are VERY EXPENSIVE. I thought really hard as to whether I wanted to pay that much money for them, but now that it is done (psychological?) it was well worth it.

If you are buying these, they are available from Defender at 30% less than West or BoatUS. The problem is you'll have to do the "return-for-the-right-size" thing at least once. That's what you get for cheap Defender prices - - it never fails.

The remaining four short pieces of lifeline, are cut and terminating studs (4) installed. They go through the tabs and an acorn nut is put on the end of the terminating stud. A nut can be used on the other side of the tabl also so that when the lines are released to use the steps, they don't slide through the tabs.

The rails are good for fishing pole holders, grill mounts, and a backrest! They were worth the effort.

Len Krauss on SUNDANCER III had a really good idea for this to save the endclamps. He has welded a nut inside the ends of the rails that has threads that match the terminating stud put on the lifelines. The rails just line up with the holes on the lifeline tabs and the terminating studs screw in and hold them in place.