I've tripped for the last time on the bottom half of my drop down boards because I was too lazy to take it out when I needed to go from below to the cockpit. Does anybody know of a good aftermarket source of a bi-fold companionway door. I've got a Beneteau 321. I know Cruising Concepts makes them but they are almost $600.00 and I've heard that some people found them to be poorly constructed. I can do some work myself but, frankly,my woodworking skills are primitive. I can frame a house but don't ask me to build you a dining room cabinet unless you don't mind the Fred Flintstone look. Does anybody have any plans for one? Or know of a reasonably priced manufacturer? Or some other solution that allows easy in and out access yet seals the cabin when the a/c or heat is on at dockside?
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Companionway doors.
Rick, Try contacting Finger Lakes Sailing Services at 607-272-9227. They make companionway doors out of mahogany or teak that can slide into the slots for your drop down boards. I saw an example of their work at the Atlantic City Boat show this past weekend. They look pretty nice.
Rick, Try contacting Finger Lakes Sailing Services at 607-272-9227. They make companionway doors out of mahogany or teak that can slide into the slots for your drop down boards. I saw an example of their work at the Atlantic City Boat show this past weekend. They look pretty nice.
Both for companionway
I think it might have been a recent DIY mag that showed a combination; swinging doors mounted on the front of the slide, boards in the groove behind the slide.
I think it might have been a recent DIY mag that showed a combination; swinging doors mounted on the front of the slide, boards in the groove behind the slide.
John, what DIY mag was it?
John, do you know what that magazine title was or any more detail. I'd love something that allowed me to still slide the companionway drop boards down the slot. It would make for secure sailing offshore.
John, do you know what that magazine title was or any more detail. I'd love something that allowed me to still slide the companionway drop boards down the slot. It would make for secure sailing offshore.
You can make it yourself
I did, and my skill level is low-med.,just accurate measurement. Look up in the Hunter Photo forum search 260. If you have questions look me up in the owners section. John Baumgartner Baums Rush
I did, and my skill level is low-med.,just accurate measurement. Look up in the Hunter Photo forum search 260. If you have questions look me up in the owners section. John Baumgartner Baums Rush
In the Dallas Area
there is a man that builds plexiglass doors for Hunters, Catalinas and some other boats. They mount such a way that you can lift them off and still use the drop in boards. I have attached a picture of my 35.5 with the doors. If you are interested, drop me an off line email and I will send you his telephone number. I am leaving for Florida tomorrow and will be back in a week.
there is a man that builds plexiglass doors for Hunters, Catalinas and some other boats. They mount such a way that you can lift them off and still use the drop in boards. I have attached a picture of my 35.5 with the doors. If you are interested, drop me an off line email and I will send you his telephone number. I am leaving for Florida tomorrow and will be back in a week.
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Thanks, Jim. My email is in the reply below.
Jim, thanks for that photo. If you were to push in on the doors from outside in the cockpit, do they push inwards or are they pretty stiff. Obviously, with the drop boards in place, they would be solid but I wonder how secure they are without the dropboards. What keeps them from bending in? Anyway, please email me the phone of the fellow who makes them. Since I live in San Antonio and keep my boat in Kemah, it would be easy to visit with this man. My email is revans@evans-rowe.com. Thanks again.
Jim, thanks for that photo. If you were to push in on the doors from outside in the cockpit, do they push inwards or are they pretty stiff. Obviously, with the drop boards in place, they would be solid but I wonder how secure they are without the dropboards. What keeps them from bending in? Anyway, please email me the phone of the fellow who makes them. Since I live in San Antonio and keep my boat in Kemah, it would be easy to visit with this man. My email is revans@evans-rowe.com. Thanks again.
Cruising Concepts make a great door for a boat
I have the Cruising Concepts hatch doors on my Hunter 380 and you couldn't find a more well built door. I actually went to his shop. All wood is cut by saws controlled by computers. All pieces are exact and I doubt if you could find a flaw in any of his doors. They may be expensive but they are as close to perfect as they come. You can see the installation of my doors in the photo section of this web site.
I have the Cruising Concepts hatch doors on my Hunter 380 and you couldn't find a more well built door. I actually went to his shop. All wood is cut by saws controlled by computers. All pieces are exact and I doubt if you could find a flaw in any of his doors. They may be expensive but they are as close to perfect as they come. You can see the installation of my doors in the photo section of this web site.
companion way doors
My companion way doors are made from plexiglass and teak. they would be simple to build. I'll take some pictures of them this weekend and post them. They are the greatest thing for a sail boat since the sail.. Tim Welsh
My companion way doors are made from plexiglass and teak. they would be simple to build. I'll take some pictures of them this weekend and post them. They are the greatest thing for a sail boat since the sail.. Tim Welsh
Cruising Concepts
I worked with Mike for years and while not every set fit perfectly (and not every template was terribly accurate, either) I _never_ saw or heard of a set that was anything less than art. 'Poorly constructed' is hard for me to believe. Just had to post that for the record.
I worked with Mike for years and while not every set fit perfectly (and not every template was terribly accurate, either) I _never_ saw or heard of a set that was anything less than art. 'Poorly constructed' is hard for me to believe. Just had to post that for the record.
Cruising Concepts
Les is right when he says that the Cruising Concept doors are well constructed - at least in my experience. I have a close friend who bought a set of them, and after sending in the required measurements, he still spent a full weekend working on them with belt sanders, etc. in order to get them to fit. He said that they were enough work that he wouldn't do it again - and after spending in the $500 - $600 range at thtat.
Les is right when he says that the Cruising Concept doors are well constructed - at least in my experience. I have a close friend who bought a set of them, and after sending in the required measurements, he still spent a full weekend working on them with belt sanders, etc. in order to get them to fit. He said that they were enough work that he wouldn't do it again - and after spending in the $500 - $600 range at thtat.
I have the cruising concepts door and I love them!
They aren't "dirt cheap" but they are beautiful doors and I would never call them "poorly constructed" They are more a work of art. But with that said I would not call them "Off Shore" hatches, they are not meant to be, and I don't think most plexiglass doors are. If you went flying I'm sure I could fall into these doors and break them, but they are not designed to take a 200lb person with full weight falling into them. If I was going off shore I would use my drop in hatches, BTW Which I can still use if I need to. But true fact, I have NEVER used my drop in hatches in the last 2 years I have had the Crusiing Concept hatches. I thought I would but I never had the feeling of really needing to.
They aren't "dirt cheap" but they are beautiful doors and I would never call them "poorly constructed" They are more a work of art. But with that said I would not call them "Off Shore" hatches, they are not meant to be, and I don't think most plexiglass doors are. If you went flying I'm sure I could fall into these doors and break them, but they are not designed to take a 200lb person with full weight falling into them. If I was going off shore I would use my drop in hatches, BTW Which I can still use if I need to. But true fact, I have NEVER used my drop in hatches in the last 2 years I have had the Crusiing Concept hatches. I thought I would but I never had the feeling of really needing to.
Ditto on Cruising Concepts
They made companionway doors for my H335 last year and we love them. Beautifully made and constructed. If you want something sturdier, they also make an offshore version. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335 S/V Kiwi Flyer H375
They made companionway doors for my H335 last year and we love them. Beautifully made and constructed. If you want something sturdier, they also make an offshore version. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335 S/V Kiwi Flyer H375
Companionway conversion
Sorry Rick, it wasn't DIY magazine but a book I was reading that showed the arrangement. It was "Optimize Your Cruising Sailboat; 101 Ways to Make Your Sailboat Better" by John Roberts (International Marine). Here's my rough sketch of the idea. Good book, by the way. Hinges are the half hinges so doors can be removed. You can add trim to one door to cover the crack, or rout the door edges so one overlaps the other. There is also a novel solution in the Good Old Boat magazine for Jan/Feb called "Vern's great idea". Its basically a set of folding hatchboards that form a "seat" in the companionway when opened. Hard to describe and not for everyone, but pretty interesting.
Sorry Rick, it wasn't DIY magazine but a book I was reading that showed the arrangement. It was "Optimize Your Cruising Sailboat; 101 Ways to Make Your Sailboat Better" by John Roberts (International Marine). Here's my rough sketch of the idea. Good book, by the way. Hinges are the half hinges so doors can be removed. You can add trim to one door to cover the crack, or rout the door edges so one overlaps the other. There is also a novel solution in the Good Old Boat magazine for Jan/Feb called "Vern's great idea". Its basically a set of folding hatchboards that form a "seat" in the companionway when opened. Hard to describe and not for everyone, but pretty interesting.
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B321 Companionway Doors
Rick We have Ben 321 at Waterford Harbor, "Parrot Tales". Let me know if you find good packaged doors. The problem with Cruising Concepts is the teak. Don't want any more teak on the outside. If you don't find something, maybe we can join forces and design something that needs no varnish! Good Luck!
Rick We have Ben 321 at Waterford Harbor, "Parrot Tales". Let me know if you find good packaged doors. The problem with Cruising Concepts is the teak. Don't want any more teak on the outside. If you don't find something, maybe we can join forces and design something that needs no varnish! Good Luck!
John Mc from Houston
I kind of agree, but not a lot of teak to varnish & I varnished once with a lot of coats and after 2 years not a single blemish. Its not really in the direct sun for me, plus on an all outside stainless or plastic boat ('99 Catalina 36) the little bit of teak looks really rich.
I kind of agree, but not a lot of teak to varnish & I varnished once with a lot of coats and after 2 years not a single blemish. Its not really in the direct sun for me, plus on an all outside stainless or plastic boat ('99 Catalina 36) the little bit of teak looks really rich.
Tim, I look forward to your photos
I really appreciate all the great ideas ya'll have shared with me in response to my question about companionway doors. The consensus seems to be that Cruising Concepts makes a great looking door but some people have had some complaints. They aren't 100% loved by everybody. And, they are definitely expensive. So, here's my solution. I'm going to trace my drop down boards on some cardboard to make a template. By definition, they should be pretty accurate. Then, I'm going to have one of my wood working friends glue some teak or mahogany boards together until we have the appropriate width for each door. I plan to use those hinges which come apart just by lifting the door up. One hinge part will be on the door and the other just outside the U shaped channel which holds the drop down boards. In this fashion, the doors can still be used or kept in place even with the drop down boards in place. When I'm done, I'll include a photo. I think the job can be done for under $200 and expect it will look pretty good.
I really appreciate all the great ideas ya'll have shared with me in response to my question about companionway doors. The consensus seems to be that Cruising Concepts makes a great looking door but some people have had some complaints. They aren't 100% loved by everybody. And, they are definitely expensive. So, here's my solution. I'm going to trace my drop down boards on some cardboard to make a template. By definition, they should be pretty accurate. Then, I'm going to have one of my wood working friends glue some teak or mahogany boards together until we have the appropriate width for each door. I plan to use those hinges which come apart just by lifting the door up. One hinge part will be on the door and the other just outside the U shaped channel which holds the drop down boards. In this fashion, the doors can still be used or kept in place even with the drop down boards in place. When I'm done, I'll include a photo. I think the job can be done for under $200 and expect it will look pretty good.
Conversion
You could also use Starboard if a more modern look suited your boat. Don't forget to add an angled ridge at the bottom of the companionway to keep the doors jammed and the rain out. Using the hatch boards and doors could increase security when you are gone.
You could also use Starboard if a more modern look suited your boat. Don't forget to add an angled ridge at the bottom of the companionway to keep the doors jammed and the rain out. Using the hatch boards and doors could increase security when you are gone.
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