My wife and I own a '1989' 33.5 that we enjoy very much. We think we would enjoy it even more if we could replace the companion way boards with doors . Does anyone have any ideas? George & Judy Wilson SV Bliss
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Brent Headberg
Companionway Doors
Hello George, I saw a website the other day that you might want to look at: http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/Codoor.htm I think they will custom build companionway doors for your 33.5 I own a 1990 33.5 and have been thinking about doing the same thing. Good Luck and fair winds, Brent S/V Elena Lua http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
Hello George, I saw a website the other day that you might want to look at: http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/Codoor.htm I think they will custom build companionway doors for your 33.5 I own a 1990 33.5 and have been thinking about doing the same thing. Good Luck and fair winds, Brent S/V Elena Lua http://www.elenalua.homestead.com
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John Van Stone
hunter owners
I bought the doors for my 450 here over a year ago and am very satisfied with them. I think they can make some for you.
I bought the doors for my 450 here over a year ago and am very satisfied with them. I think they can make some for you.
Weatherboards vs doors.
I think doors can look very cute but they must NOT be relied upon to be a substitute for weatherboards in bad weather. One good comber over the transom will stave them in in an instant. At least with weatherboards the grain is across the opening and will have some spring in it first. Also, they might not be as resistent to break-ins. Most non-boating thieves are puzzled by padlocks and weatherboards. They will break in the foredeck hatch first. Louvred doors are very nice in port and when you are aboard; they are not so safe when you are away or at sea. My dad designed several 'character' (traditional-styled) boats and one of his trademarks was that the companionway had a negative angle-- that is, the top of the companionway was further aft than the bottom (at the bridge deck). In this arrangement a set of louvered doors works very nicely-- with the hatch drawn they are out of the rain and can even be left open at anchor with nothing coming inside. He also drew the companionway rails to be deeper than necessary so that weatherboards could still be fitted inside the louvred doors, and the doors could be removed for sailing at sea. This makes sense and if you can fit this arrangement on your boat, there is your answer. You can always make a second and third set of weatherboards for different occasions. Have one a single sheet of plywood with a large screened opening. Have another one entirely of Lexan for the light. Have the proper separate sections of solid-wood weatherboards for at sea. They do not take that much room to store on board and the versatility makes you feel very pampered. Again, I would not recommend entirely replacing the weatherboards with a dainty set of panelled or louvred doors. If you can't still use the weatherboards, don't do it. JC 2
I think doors can look very cute but they must NOT be relied upon to be a substitute for weatherboards in bad weather. One good comber over the transom will stave them in in an instant. At least with weatherboards the grain is across the opening and will have some spring in it first. Also, they might not be as resistent to break-ins. Most non-boating thieves are puzzled by padlocks and weatherboards. They will break in the foredeck hatch first. Louvred doors are very nice in port and when you are aboard; they are not so safe when you are away or at sea. My dad designed several 'character' (traditional-styled) boats and one of his trademarks was that the companionway had a negative angle-- that is, the top of the companionway was further aft than the bottom (at the bridge deck). In this arrangement a set of louvered doors works very nicely-- with the hatch drawn they are out of the rain and can even be left open at anchor with nothing coming inside. He also drew the companionway rails to be deeper than necessary so that weatherboards could still be fitted inside the louvred doors, and the doors could be removed for sailing at sea. This makes sense and if you can fit this arrangement on your boat, there is your answer. You can always make a second and third set of weatherboards for different occasions. Have one a single sheet of plywood with a large screened opening. Have another one entirely of Lexan for the light. Have the proper separate sections of solid-wood weatherboards for at sea. They do not take that much room to store on board and the versatility makes you feel very pampered. Again, I would not recommend entirely replacing the weatherboards with a dainty set of panelled or louvred doors. If you can't still use the weatherboards, don't do it. JC 2
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fred miller
Glad You brought This Up
I am debating the same for my 35.5 doors vs hatchboards. On a recent trio to Florida I did see an alternative.. .a canvas flap down door fitted with a screen and cover flap to keep the weather out. Its not for times when you leave the boat for extended periods as obviously a knife will compromise it. But for those times when you leave the boat for a short period of time, want to keep the rain out, or just want a break from to removing and storing those the annoying hatchboards, it looks ideal. My sailmaker told me he could make on up for about $150 bucks in the color canvas of my choice. It has snaps around the perimeter to fasten it to the sides of the companionway and the slider. I can't figure out though how you would do this from the interior if you wanted to leave it in while you are in the cabin. Feel free to e-mail me if you need more info. Fred Miller
I am debating the same for my 35.5 doors vs hatchboards. On a recent trio to Florida I did see an alternative.. .a canvas flap down door fitted with a screen and cover flap to keep the weather out. Its not for times when you leave the boat for extended periods as obviously a knife will compromise it. But for those times when you leave the boat for a short period of time, want to keep the rain out, or just want a break from to removing and storing those the annoying hatchboards, it looks ideal. My sailmaker told me he could make on up for about $150 bucks in the color canvas of my choice. It has snaps around the perimeter to fasten it to the sides of the companionway and the slider. I can't figure out though how you would do this from the interior if you wanted to leave it in while you are in the cabin. Feel free to e-mail me if you need more info. Fred Miller
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Pat & Faye Martin
Our Solution
We went for a cheap choice....while on the boat, but not sailing, we keep a mexican blanket ($10) and a bungee cord over the winches on each side of the companionway. Heavier in winter, and an old flat sheet for summer when it's hot. We put the boards in when we leave the boat. It has worked well for us.
We went for a cheap choice....while on the boat, but not sailing, we keep a mexican blanket ($10) and a bungee cord over the winches on each side of the companionway. Heavier in winter, and an old flat sheet for summer when it's hot. We put the boards in when we leave the boat. It has worked well for us.
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Jeff D
"Locks keep the honest people out!"
I have had my boat broken into twice and the locks were of no use and the damage caused to the hatch boards cost more to repair than what was taken. Insurance company may not like an unlocked hatch however.
I have had my boat broken into twice and the locks were of no use and the damage caused to the hatch boards cost more to repair than what was taken. Insurance company may not like an unlocked hatch however.
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Terry
GEORGE, WE CONSIDERED DOORS, BUT...
opted to leave the boards in for strength. To make for easier access while at anchor/dock we decided to use a color matching canvas cover to help keep the heat in and rain and bugs out. This cover clips (same SS twist clip used on cockpit covers) onto the top slider's frame so that while the boards are stowed it is a simple matter of unclipping one side (from either inside or outside the boat) of the cover for access. The bottom of this canvas cover has a heavy batten sewn in to help keep it in place. Works like a charm and at far less cost. This canvas cover is only as large as the area covered by the boards and does not affect the slider, but the slider butts up against the cover for a tight fit. Terry
opted to leave the boards in for strength. To make for easier access while at anchor/dock we decided to use a color matching canvas cover to help keep the heat in and rain and bugs out. This cover clips (same SS twist clip used on cockpit covers) onto the top slider's frame so that while the boards are stowed it is a simple matter of unclipping one side (from either inside or outside the boat) of the cover for access. The bottom of this canvas cover has a heavy batten sewn in to help keep it in place. Works like a charm and at far less cost. This canvas cover is only as large as the area covered by the boards and does not affect the slider, but the slider butts up against the cover for a tight fit. Terry
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Rod
Doors-$900
I got cruising concepts info on doors and for a walk through companionway for my 1993 35.5, the cost was $900. Does anyone know where one can get doors for less?
I got cruising concepts info on doors and for a walk through companionway for my 1993 35.5, the cost was $900. Does anyone know where one can get doors for less?
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Bruce Mulford
If you are handy you can make doors of starboad
See my reply to the 11/24 thread about Swinging Companionway Doors. I attached a photo there.
See my reply to the 11/24 thread about Swinging Companionway Doors. I attached a photo there.
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