Companionway Doors

SqPeg

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Oct 2, 2014
36
Hunter 32 Vision Bohemia Bay Yacht Harbor
I need some ideas on companionway doors for a Vision 32 (e.g. store bought, kits, templates, materials).
 
Apr 11, 2010
978
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
Check out Zarcor
They make a fabulous product and have great installation instructions.
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Zarcor

I have had the Zarcor ones I got at the Miami boat show a few years ago
been very happy with them and they were very good with install,well made
work very well so much we love them.
Nick
 
Dec 8, 2008
96
Hunter 27 Deale, MD
Those Zacor doors are really sharp. I liked the look a lot but they are so expensive and I tend to have more time than money. So the admiral and I decided to tackle the building of our own doors from scratch. I don’t have a shop so most all of the work, minus finishing was done at the boat (currently on the hard) with electric hand tools.

We used a couple pieces or 1x3 hardwood and some cabinet grade plywood. I got some heavy duty removable hinges from the boat swap meet in Annapolis for about $30 4 years ago. That is how long I have been envisioning this project. The hinges are actually Hatch hinges. They are different than the normal removable hinges in that they are held together with a pin and circle clip. Most are just lift off. With the hinges we used, there is no chance of the doors bouncing off.

We measured the companion way shape several times. There were angles that had to be calculated and lengths of 1x3 determined. My secret weapon was AutoCAD where I was able draw it to scale and determine the dimensions I would need to build it. But I drew it by hand first and it would have sufficed. Would you believe the angle of the companion way was 99 degrees, not 100 degrees, but 99 degrees. It made me chuckle.

Well, it all came out to the best. We ended up spending in total about $200 bucks. Minus the thinking about it for 4 years, the project took about 2 weekends to complete with all the finishing happening during the week between.

I am no master carpenter, so I think that proves it can be done by a DIY'er. It just takes a good plan and some time. It will give you a good sense of accomplishment. We also made the handrails you see in the background of the first picture. At the end of the day, that was not that difficult. You just need a plan.
 

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
If you have or are planning Air Conditioning on the boat, doors are a MUST HAVE.
 
Apr 11, 2010
978
Hunter 38 Whitehall MI
THX. Gonna go with them and get the show sale price to boot!
Good for you. You won't be sorry. We got the black lexan and the screen inserts. On those nice days and nights having the screens in is great.
John at Zarcor is great to work with and if you have any installation questions he's very helpful.

I had teak doors made for our Catalina 34 and we loved those. Because the Hunter has no outside wood the Starboard doors look much better and they don't require varnish.