If anyone out there has any good ideas about where I might get a new Sliding Cover for the Companionway on my O'Day 322 I'd appreciate some help. I've spoken with Rudy at DR Marine and they can fabricate a plexi one, but I was hoping someone might have a line on either a salvaged or maybe a hurricane damaged boat that I might obtain an original fiberglass one from. I've tried a couple of salvage yards in FLA but they were less than helpful. Any other ideas or help would be appreciated.
322 Companionway Sliding Cover
- Thread starter flypiscesdc
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What happened that you need a new one? If you still have the old one but it was damaged you could use it as a male pattern to make a mold. Since the mold only has to be used once maybe plaster or concrete could be used for a cheap mold, then just lay up a new one in your mold trim the edges and paint it with white paint or gelcoat spray it. Our good friend 25yearslater has some great ideas on his thread about gelcoat and deck restoration that would be helpful.
I purchased this boat recently and the original hatch was long gone. In its place is a cheap piece of flat lexan or plexi that is too thin, too weak to hold any weight at all, and extremely crazed. Hence,.... the search begins. I'd like to exhaust all salvage or 'used' options before taking the leap and popping for a completely new after-market edition. (big $)
How about making one out of wood? If you used a laminate (plywood) you could then epoxy it to make it water proof, add something to the top so you don't have to varnish it like a layer of glass and some gelcoat. It would give you the strength probably and if not you could reinforce the inside with some ribs. No advice on finding a salvage boat.
There are two items on most Oday sailboats that are so unique and thats the forward hatch and the companionway hatch so finding this is a stretch......I'm with jibes to try and fabricate something out of wood and epoxy over it and for the flange at the deck a piece of aluminum angle might work
That option (wood/glass fabrication) has already been considered and may have to be what winds up happening. I have not given up hope yet, though. I have had some communication with the company in Japan that now has the molds and is supposedly building the 322 again. I guess they didn't get completely wiped out with the tsunami. I have not heard back yet after my initial contact on whether they could make one for me or not, and how small a fortune they wanted for it with shipping to the U.S.
That option completely slipped my mind....you very well might be the only business they'll be seeing for awhile
Companionway Sliding Cover
I replaced mine after I bought my boat with a new one from D&R. The old one broke on the outer edge from the handle to one side which I am told is common among this design. I tried repairing it by gluing a piece of plexiglass but it only last one season.
So were you happy with the replacement? I am curious as to whether it fit correctly and how strong it is. Overall, were you happy with it? He quoted me something over $600 for a new plexi one plus shipping, so before I make that leap I'd like some feedback from someone who actually bought one. any comments you'd have would be greatly appreciated!
Companionway Sliding Cover
Flypiscesdc, It fits well and its very strong. I have it over two years and it still looks new. The only difference from the original is the handle. The original handle was plexi and fitted across the face (aft end) of the hatch which was the reason why the hatch broke, because it restricts any movement across the area it was attached but the ends were free to flex and crack. The new hatch came with a piece of teak that you'll have to attach to the top surface of the hatch. You'll have to cut the teak to fit the curve surface of the hatch.
This is great to hear. Is there any way you could email me a few pics of the hatch, specifically of the whole thing when closed, and maybe a couple of the handle assembly and the edges that it slides on? It looks like this is the option I am going to go with after talking to Rudy at D&R Marine, but he has no pics that he can send me. I know it might be a hassle, but if you could send me a few pics I would be greatly appreciative. My email is ifly4lvn@gmail.com
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
flypiscesdc,
I couldn't find any pictures of the companion way. I haven't been out to the boat lately because of the crappy weather but I'll take a picture of it when I get out there and send it to you. I can tell you the D&R product is identical to the original except for the handle (you have to put the handle on)
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