companion way to hinged doors

[piedpiperIII]

Has anyone seen in person or have made the change from the three boards to a hinged doorway into the cabin?? I have only seen 2 pictures of this but have not talked to anyone or seen how well they work. I was kicking around the idea of doing this as my boards are a little worse for the ware. Alan

 

[gpd955]

Alan,

Don't know if you subscribe to Good Old Boat but there'd an article in this month's issue on that. www.goodoldboat.com is their site. Go to Reader Services and you can order the Sept/Oct issue.

Also Zarcor has them. Don't know if you want to spend that kind of money but I've had several Zarcor products and they are well worth every penny. www.zarcor.com

 

[jsalley]

I have Zarcor doors. Expensive, but worth every penny. Not as secure as the weather boards, which I keep on the boat for use when needed. Much more convenient, especially when I want to keep flying critters out of the cabin but still have ventilation and easy access to the cockpit. The Zarcor product is made from StarBoard, which nicely fits my "no varnish" philosophy. If you want wood, this site has an ad for a nice wooden version in its online store.

 

[DeepBlueSeas]

Sounds like a great idea, but one of the things I keep hearing is that it is best to have at least the first board in place when sailing in strong winds. If you experience a knockdown, it will help keep the cabin from flooding before the boat rights itself. Not sure that the doors would work as well.

 

[Paco T]

Look into this guy's web sites they are both C22!

http://home.comcast.net/~tegwilym/delphinus/cruisedoors.html

and this one!

http://www.catalina27.org/Fleet4/BOAT.html

 

[watercolors II]

Better idea

Just spent the labor day weekend at the bay on a Hunter 34 that the owner just installed said doors. He also had them on his previous boat 2 years ago, a Hunter 27. I noticed that they were always in the way when open, the mainsheet traveler was on the cabin top on the 27 and on the 34 the jib sheets are on the cabin top. I was also not comfortable working around them in rough weather, I felt like I had to be very careful not to put too much weight on them for fear of pushing through and damaging the hinges.

How about a canvas cover snapped to the top of the sliding hatch cover hanging down over the opening with batten boards to keep the cover tight sideways and against the side jambs and add weight to keep it hanging straight down.

Can be attached or removed in 45 seconds and rolls up to the size of an unfurled umbrella for storage. With batten boards, will work the same as crib boards in rough weather and no chance of damaging it if accidentally bumped into.

One yard of Sumbrella will make it at $18.00 a yard and $1.00 each for the snaps.

Works really great on a Catalina cause of the sloping back of the cabin.

Photos coming next week!

 

[Stu Jackson]

The downside of most of the doors is that the threshold of the companionway is below the level of the seats, hence, what was just described about the doors being in the way and not folding back all the of way. You have to take them off to lean back against the cabintop.

The ONLY good thing I've read about them is if you're where it's really hot and you have air conditioning is to use them for quick in and outs. Much quicker than the hatch boards, and quieter, too, at night if you need to get in or out whether AC related or not.

That's simply my report from reading about these things for 25 years. I don't know anyone personally who has them around here, but heard about the advantages with AC from a fellow 'board member somewhere over the years.

 

[Team118]

I've seen those doors on a lot of boats while cruising websites and owner sites.

I've always assumed they would get in the way when they're open. That being said, they would be a great addition if you plan on staying on the boat. Couldn't you modify the hinges on the doors?

I was thinking that if you used a pintle/gudgeon hinge system. They would open and you could easily take them off while sailing, leaving the 'door frame' inside of the hatchway entrance. You could then create a lower hatchboard to fit in the bottom to keep water out (if that is a concern).

I bet that would work...or is that how they're designed and I'm about 15 years behind everyone else? Which is more likely!

Chris

 

[piedpiperIII]

The more I read and see these swinging doors over the norm. I think I would stay with the hatch boards. If the doors are in the way and you need to remove them than the three boards seem easier to me. And as descrbed I could just put the bottom board in if the weather blows hard. I have seen many pictures of the doors and I like the three boards look better. This is why I love to post on here as it seems to open doors no pun intended. Thanx all for the input. Alan

 

[watercolors II]

Promised photos of a companion way cover.