Any Ideas for Securing Companionway?

[BWagner]

We are in the process of getting ready to head to the Bahamas and then south from there to the Caribbean. One of our concerns is securing our companionway from inside the boat at night. We would like to secure it enough so that if we got boarded in the middle of the night, the intruder would at least have to make some noise getting through it - hopefully giving us some time to react.

Our companionway has the white swinging doors and the plexiglass hatch. We need to find a way to secure the the two doors and the hatch from the inside while at the same time not make it too difficult to get out if need be in the event of a fire etc.

I am wondering if anyone else has figured out a solution to this problem. If so, I would greatly appreciate a photo or two.

Thanks Much!

 

[Rick486]

We are in the process of getting ready to head to the Bahamas and then south from there to the Caribbean. One of our concerns is securing our companionway from inside the boat at night. We would like to secure it enough so that if we got boarded in the middle of the night, the intruder would at least have to make some noise getting through it - hopefully giving us some time to react.

Our companionway has the white swinging doors and the plexiglass hatch. We need to find a way to secure the the two doors and the hatch from the inside while at the same time not make it too difficult to get out if need be in the event of a fire etc.

I am wondering if anyone else has figured out a solution to this problem. If so, I would greatly appreciate a photo or two.

Thanks Much!

I have the same configuration. I installed door bolts on the inside of companionway slide and a padlock on the inside of the doors. Makes the whole thing much more solid.

 

[Sailm8]

I just use a length of broomstick that fits under the sliding hatch section. It's held in place by shower rod holders at either end. Easy to remove in an emergency.

 

[BWagner]

Could you post a photo of this?

I just use a length of broomstick that fits under the sliding hatch section. It's held in place by shower rod holders at either end. Easy to remove in an emergency.

A picture would help me understand what you are doing. Thanks.

 

[Sailm8]

Here you go

A picture would help me understand what you are doing. Thanks.

Please note that the washboards are not in in order to get enough light for the pix.

 

[rufus1138]

joshua slocum used tacks on deck at night....just a thought, being nice to someone boarding your vessel at night without hailing knocking or otherwise asking permission or declaring intentions is not part of international law by any stretch, i would say swim ladder up and deploy something that will "discourage" boarders, get creative, i promise if someone just decides to hop on your boat at night that a...you will know well before they get to the companionway unless you're in a coma instead of just asleep....and b...they arent going to ask for a cup of sugar, better to deter then defend rather than relying only on defending.

 

[BWagner]

Thanks for the pic, great idea!

 

[robertsapp]

One of these with the window/door trigger assembly might be useful:

http://www.alarmlocks.com/Accessories.htm

Hit them with a 120 db alarm. Hopefully it won't give you a heart attack if you're below sleeping.

I've also wondered if one or two of these on the bimini facing the swim platform might work:

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-led-solar-security-light-60524.html

Most uninvited visitors aren't fond of bright light. Not sure how long they'd last in the marine environment, but the price is right.

 

[nolasafari]

I've also wondered if one or two of these on the bimini facing the swim platform might work:

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-led-solar-security-light-60524.html

Most uninvited visitors aren't fond of bright light. Not sure how long they'd last in the marine environment, but the price is right.

I think the motion sensor would get seasick and go off. If you ever read Travis McGee novels he had a switch under a door mat on the Busted Flush that would sound a gong when someone stepped aboard. You could convert a wireless door chime if you could find a 12 volt one, should last abouit a week in the saltwater environment.

 

[Steve Olson]

This!!!