Door problem

Nov 1, 2009
12
Catalina 27 Worton
I have been looking at Catalina 320s. In one boat none of the doors close properly.
The head door closes but is loose the front cabin doors won't close.The aft cabin door won't close. The boat is in the water. There is no apparent damage to the boat. What would cause this problem?
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I have been looking at Catalina 320s. In one boat none of the doors close properly.
The head door closes but is loose the front cabin doors won't close.The aft cabin door won't close. The boat is in the water. There is no apparent damage to the boat. What would cause this problem?
The rigging is probably too tight... its a common problem when people dont know how tight is too tight, but they are trying to get better performance from the boat by snugging down the rigging, without knowing what they are doing...
 

jrowan

.
Mar 5, 2011
1,294
O'Day 35 Severn River, Mobjack Bay, Va.
If you think about the huge loads that the mast rig makes on the hull & cabin top,
then it is inevitable that the hull & deck flex, which happens all the time. This will eventually cause the interior doors to have closing problems as the frame around the door moves slightly, as the bulkheads & frame endure stress. This will occur regardless of how tight the rig is tuned, although over tightening will exacerbate problem. At this point it is much easier to adjust the doors themselves by sanding or planning the high spots that rub, & or shimming & adjusting the hinges to compensate for movement. But honestly, once you buy the boat & stay in it a few nights, you will likely not even use the doors, except for the main cabin door.