Stainless Steel Grab Handle AISI316 – Marine Hand Rail (300mm / 450mm / 610mm)

Enhance safety and comfort on board by installing our Stainless Steel Grab Handles wherever a reliable handhold is needed. Fabricated from marine-grade AISI316 stainless steel, these handles (also known as grab rails or handrails) are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment while providing crew and passengers a secure grip when moving around the vessel. Whether stepping into the cabin, climbing up from the cockpit, or simply needing stability in rough seas, a well-placed grab handle can make all the difference.

Construction & Sizes:
Our grab handles feature a 22mm diameter round bar – a common size that’s easy and comfortable to grip, even for those with smaller hands. The bar is supported by two base flanges (sometimes called “feet”) which raise it to a height (H) of about 105mm above the mounting surface. This clearance (often abbreviated as “H=105mm”) allows plenty of room for fingers to wrap around the bar without knuckles hitting the surface, ensuring a solid grasp from any angle.

We offer three standard lengths (measured center-to-center between mounting holes):

• 300mm (approx 12 inches): A short grab rail suitable for tight spaces or smaller boats. This is commonly used next to steps, on small console sides, or on the inside of cabin doorways. Despite its shorter length, it provides an excellent hand grip for one or two hands and can be installed vertically, horizontally, or at an angle as needed.
• 450mm (approx 18 inches): A mid-length handle, very versatile for most applications. Often mounted near companionway hatches, alongside helm stations, on the transom (to help boarding from a dinghy), or on cabin ceilings as a handhold when moving through the interior. This length allows two adults to grab on simultaneously if needed (e.g., passing each other in a walkway).
• 610mm (approx 24 inches): A long grab rail for maximum support. Ideal for flybridge areas, larger yachts, or along cabin house sides where crew walk forward. The longer bar offers multiple grip points – great for when you might be moving and need to slide your hand along a rail. It’s also beneficial on wide transoms or swim platforms as a safety rail.

All three sizes are made with the same high-quality process – typically investment cast or welded mounting bases with the bar either welded or through-bolted to these bases. The finish is mirror-polished, matching other yacht fittings and ensuring there are no sharp edges or burrs. The polishing also adds to corrosion resistance by smoothing the surface (less prone to corrosion initiation points).

Mounting Details:
Each base flange has two countersunk holes for screws or bolts (some designs have three holes depending on style, but our model uses two per base, making four fastening points for the whole handle). The holes are set at opposite sides of the round base for stability. We supply appropriate stainless steel fasteners for typical installations (usually flat-head screws for installing into fiberglass/wood backing; if through-bolting, you’ll use machine screws with nuts and washers). The mounting is very secure – once installed properly, these handles can take substantial force (typical safe working load is well above any force a person’s arm could apply, often on the order of hundreds of kilograms).

For installation:

1. Choose the location – ensure the backing is solid (for fiberglass, it’s best if there’s at least a 5-10mm thickness or a backing plate; for wooden surfaces, use bolts with washers on the backside if possible).
2. Use the handle’s base as a template to mark hole positions.
3. Drill pilot holes for screws (or clearance holes for bolts). If using screws in fiberglass, drilling a proper pilot hole and perhaps a countersink can prevent gelcoat cracking.
4. Apply a marine sealant (like polysulfide or silicone) in the countersunk hole or on the screw threads to seal and bed the hardware – this keeps water out of the screw holes and adds some anti-vibration benefit.
5. Fasten the handle down securely. Wipe away excess sealant for a clean finish.

The result is a flush-mounted, highly polished handle that looks integral to your boat. The bases are typically about 50mm in diameter (with thickness ~4-5mm at the edge for strength), giving a nice cosmetic finish and ample load distribution.

Applications:

• Cockpit & Deck: Mount handles near seating or walking areas. E.g., in a sailboat cockpit, a handle on either side of the companionway allows one to descend safely. On a powerboat, handles near the aft seating or on top of the transom facilitate safe movement when people are entering/exiting from the swim platform.
• Cabin Interior: Use shorter handles inside the cabin as needed – next to stairs, on the ceiling (these are sometimes called “grab rails” on the interior roof, letting you steady yourself while moving through the cabin in rough water). The polished stainless can complement interior stainless accents, or you can mount them unobtrusively under roof edges or along beams.
• Console & Helm: On center-console boats or RIBs, installing grab handles on the sides of the console or just forward of the windshield gives passengers a place to hold onto when the boat is at speed or in chop. The 300mm or 450mm are common for this, often oriented vertically.
• Swim Ladder / Platform: A handle on the swim platform (or on the transom, adjacent to the ladder) is extremely useful for swimmers reboarding the boat. After climbing the ladder, a horizontal 300mm or 450mm rail at the top provides a secure point to grab while stepping onto the deck.
• Other: These handles can also serve as tie-down points for light items, or as attachment for cockpit lines/harnesses (not officially, but sailors sometimes use them to clip safety tethers during storms when moving outside).

Marine-grade Advantage:
Being AISI316, these handles will resist rust and pitting even in coastal and offshore conditions. Cheaper handles (like chromed brass or lower-grade stainless) may bleed rust or lose plating; our solid stainless handles avoid that. Over years, they maintain strength – vital since they are safety items. Maintenance is straightforward: periodic cleaning with soapy water, and occasional polishing with metal polish to keep the shine (if you desire a high gleam). If minor rust film appears (possible if neglected or in very aggressive environments), it can be polished off easily – but thanks to 316 grade, this is minimal.

By installing these Five Marine grab handles, you are investing in crew safety and convenience, as well as adding a professional, shipyard-finish detail to your boat. They blend form and function – looking like original equipment, providing peace of mind underway, and potentially increasing the vessel’s value and usability. From small motorboats to large yachts, strategically placed grab rails are an essential feature – and ours offer the ultimate combination of strength, longevity, and style.