Companion Way Hatchboards

[primetime]

Hi all-

Two of my companionway hatch boards are cracked and although probably repairable (which will require ugly hardware) I'd rather make new ones. I found the dimensions online and obviously have the old ones as well but I was wondering how concerned I have to be about expansion (due to water) as I've noticed the old boards are made out of several pieces of wood put together. Can I make three new boards out of one large piece of teak? Any general suggestions? This will be a winter project and an excuse to pickup a router.

Thanks,
-PrimeTime

 

[justsomeguy]

Generally, wood expands and contracts across the grain more than with the grain. You'll be fine. If anything, you can plane the top if it gets too tall.
You could go overboard and do a multiple frame and panel!

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Primetime,


Have you thought of using a composit material instead of wood?

I used "Sensibuilt", a man-made product that has a wood grain look & color. I was originally concerned with the lateral strength of the material, but the rigidity is fine going on 2 years now.

Please note that some cut edges are before the final finishing.

There are alot of synthetics out there, the good news is that it can also save you varnishing time.


Here's what I made from the Sensibuilt products, using their facia board & decking.

Also, you do have many other options....

CR

 

[Merlin Clark]

Nice work Capt Ron!

 

[jimmcgee]

Primetime,
Is the wood itself cracked or did one or more of the glue joints fail?

Given the price of teak I'd be inclined to try repairing them with epoxy and clamps.

Mine were in rough shape when I bought the boat. A random orbit sander, some Interlux varnish and a six pack and they look like new.

Jim

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Have You Considered Using .................................

....................... 1/2" acrylic (plexiglass) ?

Mine are currently dark bronze acrylic and slightly scratched after 13 yrs. in service. These were the original boards. I'm getting ready to replace them this winter (more for something to do rather than they really need to be replaced). No expansion/contraction and no refinishing for a good number of years.

Acrylic is beautiful to work with standard woodworking tools and very nice to work with a router. Use high speed and a VERY light touch on the router. Bits MUST be carbide.

 

[anchorclanker]

I used "Sensibuilt", a man-made product that has a wood grain look & color.

Ron, that looks pretty darn nice man. Looks like you made hatch tracks out of it too?

I need to make some tracks but dont feel it needs the expense of teak anymore. Looking good and being functional, while limiting costs are the main priorities.

Is it hot to the touch when in the sun? Some of the simulated wood products ive read about have that complaint.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Anchor,

The material I used does get abit warm in direct sunlight, but not as hot as other materials I've seen. So far it has not been a problem, luckily there isn't alot of topside wood on the Catalinas.

CR

 

[javelin]

Forget hatch boards

Anchor,

The material I used does get abit warm in direct sunlight, but not as hot as other materials I've seen. So far it has not been a problem, luckily there isn't alot of topside wood on the Catalinas.

CR

On every boat I have had I got rid of the hatch boards and installed two doors swinging inwards. No fitting of 3 hatchboards, taking off and inevitably throwing them below on the cushions. Making the doors can be tricky and every boat is different but this is the route to go.

 

[Lost Parent]

Re: Forget hatch boards

Do have a picture ?
It is hard to imagine doors swinging inwards

 

[cat30]

This season i bought a 4X8 sheet of black acrylic and had a local shop duplicate the hatch boards- then i made a bag out of sunbrella to hold them while underway i have 1/2 sheet left- if anyone is interested i can have have the remaining plastic fabricated into a set of hatch boards-
Contact me off list if there is any interest.
Don

 

[DanM]

I made a Sunbrella Hatch Board Case that attaches under my companionway ladder. Each slot is padded and closes with velcro. Keeps my pretty varnished teak from getting scratched and also keeps them out of the way and secure while underway.

DanM.

 

[jimmcgee]

I made a Sunbrella Hatch Board Case that attaches under my companionway ladder. Each slot is padded and closes with velcro. Keeps my pretty varnished teak from getting scratched and also keeps them out of the way and secure while underway.

DanM.

Dan,
VERY nice.

Jim

 

[anchorclanker]

Someone way back made my companion way out of smoked lexan. While it initially looks kind of cool, I dont like it. Its heavy and it flexes too much. I saw a boat at the marina that had theirs screened, and believe it was two swinging doors. They had a bimini top over it and it all looked really nice and cozy.

 

[jrowan]

I made a Sunbrella Hatch Board Case that attaches under my companionway ladder. Each slot is padded and closes with velcro. Keeps my pretty varnished teak from getting scratched and also keeps them out of the way and secure while underway.

DanM.

Dan, Nice work. Me likey. I'd like to fabricate some covers like this. To the first poster: If I were going to go to the trouble to replace my hatchboards, I would go with new swing out doors (inward swinging doord would have a tendency to leak if they don't have an overlapping center spline); this would add value & allow a place to intall sceens in the frames. They are available online.

 

[hwsmith]

An old salt on our dock made really slick four panel hatch doors, two to a side out of an acrylic of some type. He used piano hinges and they compress very nicely.