Killer companionway doors

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sep 13, 2013
74
Beneteau Oceanis 41 Seattle
Am I the only one getting hands and fingers sliced by the companionway doors/hatch on the new beneteau oceanis 41 (45, 48 should be similar)? These are made of clear acrylic-like material with edges with no rounding.

I am trying to find a better solution than band aids. It seems that:
1- I could use some Teflon spray to make the companionway cover slide easily
2- I could add a handle to the top of the cover so I don't have push the cover by the edge
3- I might be able to grind/sand the edges off to eliminate the danger

Seems like this could hurt more in an accident, we usually keep the edges hidden away behind the line bags.
 

zoya

.
Apr 6, 2012
50
Beneteau Oceanis 41 Annapolis
I see what you say about the panels edges being on the sharp side but I never felt I was going to get sliced operating them... I do keep the hinged doors behind the line bags as well and those line bags got a bit worn by the doors sharp edges when swinging them around. Speaking about the companion way doors, does anyone have loose rubber gaskets? Mine came off toward the lower part of the doors, I properly re-glued them and they seem to know hold strong but that was annoying.
 
Sep 13, 2013
74
Beneteau Oceanis 41 Seattle
Speaking about the companion way doors, does anyone have loose rubber gaskets? Mine came off toward the lower part of the doors, I properly re-glued them and they seem to know hold strong but that was annoying.
Not yet but I noticed the gaskets are pulling in from the corners and are no longer in their channel. I should get that glued before the whole thing comes off.
 
Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
I am trying to find a better solution than band aids. It seems that:

1- I could use some Teflon spray to make the companionway cover slide easily

2- I could add a handle to the top of the cover so I don't have push the cover by the edge
sail slug lube works great as a sliding hatch lubricant...

i added a very nicely finished mahogany trim piece to the trailing edge of my slider.... its contoured to fit the radius of the slider.... and although i dont have access to my pics on the computer at the moment, (although it can be seen in my album second page, end of third row)
it serves a double purpose in that it gives something to grab onto to pull the hatch closed from the outside, and it serves as a drip rail so any water that gets on the hatch from either spray or rain, it will be diverted to the sides rather than run aft and drip down the back side and into the cabin if the board is out... and it looks good
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
I've been cut by 90* edges of wood, fresh off the jointer. Couldn't you take a bit of sandpaper and a sanding block, and knock down those sharp areas, or is that just crazy-talk? :)
 
May 31, 2013
33
Beneteau Oceanis 41 Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Cut fingers

Am I the only one getting hands and fingers sliced by the companionway doors/hatch on the new beneteau oceanis 41 (45, 48 should be similar)? These are made of clear acrylic-like material with edges with no rounding.

I am trying to find a better solution than band aids. It seems that:
1- I could use some Teflon spray to make the companionway cover slide easily
2- I could add a handle to the top of the cover so I don't have push the cover by the edge
3- I might be able to grind/sand the edges off to eliminate the danger

Seems like this could hurt more in an accident, we usually keep the edges hidden away behind the line bags.
Couple of things:
On my 41, the danger point in the first few inches. We have learnt (the hard way) to keep fingers away and only ever use the palms of our hands (fingers pointed skywards) to open the hatch. The biggest issue I have is that wife struggles like crazy to open the hatch from the inside. She's small and the hatch isn't!!
 
Jul 12, 2012
73
Beneteau 41 Kemah
It's a problem endemic to the new Oceanis series. A friend of mine bought one of the first 45s and the hatch was awful. By the time I had bought mine the problems opening the hatch had been reduced. I have Teflon drawer tape on the sides of the hatch so it slides better. Don't have to use a messy lubricant. I like center lines idea in putting a wood combing on the front of the cover to act as a kind of handle (I think that's what he described). Opening from the inside is also a problem for my commodore. She's learned to lift and push back until there is room to use the handle. Keep the Teflon tape clean an that'll reduce the effort needed to open the hatch cover.
 
Oct 18, 2008
45
Jeanneau 49DS Seattle
I have thought quite a bit about the effort sliding the hatch in our boat but, in heavy weather it might be better if it was a bit harder to open. I don't want to latch down the hatch in fear it might be seconds after a knock down....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.