Hunter 34 Teak Replacement

[Allan12210]

Having grown tired of trying to keep up the appearance of the teak seats on the coaming of my H34, I have replaced them with a synthetic decking material from Home Depot (like Trex). Total cost was $28.00. It took a while to trace and match each piece as they were not the same shape nor were they straight forward square cuts. The material was thicker than the original teak, so with the help of a router, I was able to cut it down so the new material still fits flush to the coaming surface. It cuts nicely with routers, chop saws, table saws and hand saws (all of which were employed). I used a file to break the sharp edges. We shall see how it weathers over time.

Allan

 

[Island Girl 34]

Allen,

Looks like a very nice job! Hope it weathers well for you.

Noticed some gauges close to your engine control panel. Wonder if I could bother you to take a few photos of that area? I am planning to add a water temp and oil pressure gauge soon and would like to see how they look on your install.

Thanks!

Ken

 

[Dan Johnson]

Allan...

clever replacement and nice job fitting the pieces to the orginal mountings!

 

[Bob Poff]

Now that's darn clever!

Maybe you should post that to the Project Pages on the site.

 

[kloudie1]

Allen, Looks really nice! How did you join the boards into wide pieces?

 

[Allan12210]

Thanks all for the positive comments. Now I need to get out sailing again before I need lessons.

Ken, I will post my project for installing the analog gauges shortly.

Bob, I actually sent an email to Phil Herring this afternoon about that very subject. I was unclear about whether a posting under Boat Info>>Hunter Owner Modifications would show up on the forum also. I hope he sends a reply to me tomorrow.

Claude, Good catch. The biggest piece is where the emergency tiller is covered. I took two pieces of the decking material and ripped them on the table saw so the cut edges butted together and the total width was correct. If you notice on the picture where the board is flipped open, there are still 5 pencil lines. Haven't erased them yet. That is where I drilled holes and put 5/16" wood dowels to join them together. I used Gorilla glue on the dowels and the board edges. I clamped them together in my Workmate table until the glue cured and trimmed excess with a razor blade. It seems very strong. The two wider seats were about an inch wider than the decking material. I just ripped a strip and butted the factory edges together (they are rounded). I held it with a clamp and drove a couple of stainless steel screws in from the back. Had to make sure I predrilled the holes as this stuff tends to split in the thin direction. After routing the edges, the back strip is pretty much completely supported by the step in the coaming. I drilled the holes for the holddown screws on the wide board. All the old holes and new ones were bedded with Boatlife caulk.

You know that long half round strip of teak on the cabin top (eyebrow) that is such a pain to keep nice.......I wonder??

Allan

 

[kloudie1]

Outstanding, Allen.. I was thinking about the joint in the aft hinged cover and, over some merlot, concluded that stainless or good hardwood dowels would do it with some kind of good glue.. I noted the lines, and that is what brought the question to mind.. YES.. the eyebrow, the companionway trim, and the handholds !!! Going to be interesting to see how it weathers.
Whazzat little vent in the starboard cockpit bulkhead port?

 

[Don Crowther]

Great Job Alan

Is that the top of a homemade boarding ladder I see on the starboard side? If so do you have any other pictures of it. Our docks are quite low and I have been thinking of adding a boarding ladder.
Thanks Don
S/V Carpe Deim Again

 

[Island Girl 34]

Allan,

Thanks. Looking forward to your post on the gauge project.

Ken

 

[Allan12210]

Claude,

That little vent is another experiment in progress. I cut a piece of plexiglass that just fills that port (used the screen as a template). I drilled a hole for the vent and inside is a piece of dryer ducting that goes straight down to the access point on the side of the engine compartment. I stuck a sheet metal elbow in and connected the duct. Inside is a computer muffin fan. It has helped considerably in keeping the diesel odors out of the boat. Now I am trying to figure out a more permanent location.

 

[Allan12210]

Don, That is a homemade boarding ladder. I'll have to hunt around for a picture. It is made of plywood with some carpet on the two steps. I traced the contour of the hull including the aluminum toe rail. After assembly, it just hangs on the side after hooking on the rail. Nice for the low docks.