Rob,
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm talking about the handrails above the cabin. I really expected to see what you described in my cabin, but it appears mine are attached differently than yours. On my boat, the nuts and washers appear to be concealed above an interior ceiling of the cabin (I don't know how better to describe it). I see only two small round flat caps (that obviously hide access to the nuts) that appear to line up with the front and rear end "loop" of the handrails....and yes, one of those caps is in the head, and another above the closet.
I have not yet pulled the caps to look up there (still cleaning and working on an outboard problem). One of the members of my sailing club told me that he thought there were only 2 places where each rail was attached....because we could see only those 2 caps....but when I put pressure on the rails I can tell they are attached at every loop (as you say) some way. But I do not see access to other nuts. I was wondering if there is some dovetail type of arrangement, that slides forward or back, to attach the other loops....or maybe I have to remove the false ceiling panel.
I'm not going to jump into this project until I have a pretty good understanding of what is ahead of me removing and replacing the handrails. Refinishing the wood will be the easy part. Thanks, Mike