My wife has found the distance of the step down from the companionway to the engine box lid on our H34 to be a "significant" one for her "short" legs. Has anyone created a secondary step or platform halfway up between the engine box lid and the companionway lip?
- Status
Yes and it's great. ! Much safer too !
I am going to the boat this afternoon. will bring the camera and take pictures along with dimensions.
I am going to the boat this afternoon. will bring the camera and take pictures along with dimensions.
Me too, on two H34s
On mine I raised the lid two inches to clear the engine driven accessories. It was part of the remodel of our boat to correct some old nagging deficiencies. My buddie who has a H34, asked that I build a box for his boat to shorten the step below for his wife. It can be cut open on one end and used for galley stuff. I don't know if he cut it open yet. He has some of my old boat now. The box is made of a panel from my head bulkhead. When going below, I still just swing from the open hatch slider. The steps aren't used when going below, just the engine lid.
On mine I raised the lid two inches to clear the engine driven accessories. It was part of the remodel of our boat to correct some old nagging deficiencies. My buddie who has a H34, asked that I build a box for his boat to shorten the step below for his wife. It can be cut open on one end and used for galley stuff. I don't know if he cut it open yet. He has some of my old boat now. The box is made of a panel from my head bulkhead. When going below, I still just swing from the open hatch slider. The steps aren't used when going below, just the engine lid.
Simple stepdown
OK Dan, I went to the boat and took a few pictures. Flash did not work properly (because of cold temp ?) but you can still see how I made a simple stepdown. It is 26 & 3/8 long (port to starboard) X 12 inches Wide X 9 inches high. Made it of hardwood. Because of possible flipping, I installed a 2" wide piece of teak right above it (held in place with ss screws through wall and partition above fridge. I then drilled a hole through that piece and the back part of the step. In center. Slid a bolt in that hole with a washer and a wingnut. Prevents the step being moved forward when engine is running, and prevents flipping. I made 6 pictures I can send you if you forward your email address. I am listed in owners directory.
OK Dan, I went to the boat and took a few pictures. Flash did not work properly (because of cold temp ?) but you can still see how I made a simple stepdown. It is 26 & 3/8 long (port to starboard) X 12 inches Wide X 9 inches high. Made it of hardwood. Because of possible flipping, I installed a 2" wide piece of teak right above it (held in place with ss screws through wall and partition above fridge. I then drilled a hole through that piece and the back part of the step. In center. Slid a bolt in that hole with a washer and a wingnut. Prevents the step being moved forward when engine is running, and prevents flipping. I made 6 pictures I can send you if you forward your email address. I am listed in owners directory.
Ours came with one.
Purchased a 1983 a few years ago and previous owner had installed a factory made folding step that works great. Don't know the name of manufacturer but will check the next time I'm on boat.
Purchased a 1983 a few years ago and previous owner had installed a factory made folding step that works great. Don't know the name of manufacturer but will check the next time I'm on boat.
Steps
Claude & Henry: Thanks for your help. Claude, I'll send you my email address (I'm on the list too). I'm contemplating something that folds down and covers the storage pocket under the companionway entrance so the engine cover can be raised. Folding legs that lock into place when raised as a step. Am looking forward to seeing what your step looks like, Claude!
Claude & Henry: Thanks for your help. Claude, I'll send you my email address (I'm on the list too). I'm contemplating something that folds down and covers the storage pocket under the companionway entrance so the engine cover can be raised. Folding legs that lock into place when raised as a step. Am looking forward to seeing what your step looks like, Claude!
Step/box
Many people have the same problem. I built a teak box with an opening lid that is fastened on the engine comparment lid with wing nuts. The box became quite a winter project, and is probably the strongest single structure on the boat. It holds lots of sailing gear, flash lights, spare batteries, and other stuff that a person might want to keep handy. The lid height is the same as the ladder tread height, so the first step down onto the box lid is short, and the remainder exactly the same as the ladder. Our digital camera is broken, or I would attach a picture.
Many people have the same problem. I built a teak box with an opening lid that is fastened on the engine comparment lid with wing nuts. The box became quite a winter project, and is probably the strongest single structure on the boat. It holds lots of sailing gear, flash lights, spare batteries, and other stuff that a person might want to keep handy. The lid height is the same as the ladder tread height, so the first step down onto the box lid is short, and the remainder exactly the same as the ladder. Our digital camera is broken, or I would attach a picture.
- Status