My wife and I just purchased a 2003 356 and won't be launching it until next Spring. We plan to spend a lot of our time and most of our summer staying on the boat. We believe that vertical swinging companionway doors with tinted windows would make life so much easier (than the sliding panels). We found custom teak doors at Cruising Concepts web-site, but really want to minimize the amount of teak on the deck. We are looking for a white composite door system... does anyone know of a business that specializes in these doors? Thanks for your help!
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wood is much lighter.
David: The teak is much lighter in weight. If you have a cover for the companionway the amount of refinishing is minimal. We have a cover for the companionway and have not had to refinish the boards in 3 years. You will probably spend more money on seaboard that on teak. The cover for the companionway keeps the inside of the boat a lot cleaner too.
David: The teak is much lighter in weight. If you have a cover for the companionway the amount of refinishing is minimal. We have a cover for the companionway and have not had to refinish the boards in 3 years. You will probably spend more money on seaboard that on teak. The cover for the companionway keeps the inside of the boat a lot cleaner too.
I would agree
The teak makes a nice dressing to the cockpit and is much lighter than the type being put on the 426 type boat. We had a local wordworker make up the doors for us much cheaper than the concepts web site price and designed to still allow use of the acrylic boards when the season ends and for those offshore passages where the ocean wants to come aboard. Don
The teak makes a nice dressing to the cockpit and is much lighter than the type being put on the 426 type boat. We had a local wordworker make up the doors for us much cheaper than the concepts web site price and designed to still allow use of the acrylic boards when the season ends and for those offshore passages where the ocean wants to come aboard. Don
DAVID, 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 of the cover for access. The bottom of this canvas cover has a 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. 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 of the cover for access. The bottom of this canvas cover has a 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. Terry
Hunter 356
David, Where do you keep your boat in Noank? We are about to purchase a new 356 and will be keeping it at Spicers. Currently we have a slip at Spicers on E Dock. Marc Potkin marcpotkin@prodigy.net
David, Where do you keep your boat in Noank? We are about to purchase a new 356 and will be keeping it at Spicers. Currently we have a slip at Spicers on E Dock. Marc Potkin marcpotkin@prodigy.net
David
We also did the same thing with sunbrella material and sewn sand bags in bottom for weight,used velcro strips to secure top great for summer time when need to keep AC on with kids going back and forth. John S/V Alcyone
We also did the same thing with sunbrella material and sewn sand bags in bottom for weight,used velcro strips to secure top great for summer time when need to keep AC on with kids going back and forth. John S/V Alcyone
How about doors out of Starboard?
I made doors for my previous boat (H29.5) and am in the process of making doors for my new boat (H410) out of Starboard. It's very easy to work with and is really no maintenance. On both boats I was able to position the doors so that they allow the use of the hatch boards (on the 29.5 it was a one at a time situation, the 410 has enough space that they can both be used at once). I have a photo of my first rough fit on the 410 (the doors are just laying in place so please don't criticize the fact that they look uneven - they need to be adjusted and trimed to fit and fastened in). I will try to attach the photo to this message.
I made doors for my previous boat (H29.5) and am in the process of making doors for my new boat (H410) out of Starboard. It's very easy to work with and is really no maintenance. On both boats I was able to position the doors so that they allow the use of the hatch boards (on the 29.5 it was a one at a time situation, the 410 has enough space that they can both be used at once). I have a photo of my first rough fit on the 410 (the doors are just laying in place so please don't criticize the fact that they look uneven - they need to be adjusted and trimed to fit and fastened in). I will try to attach the photo to this message.
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Swinging doors
David: I also find it a pain to keep removing and replacing the boards. Canvas is barely adequate as the heat leaks and drafts will be significant. I am therefore designing a set of swinging half-width doors that will swing from a U-shaped lexan piece that will fit into the channel and wil be the same heighth as the lower wood board and lexan top board. They will swing inward so as to sit flush with the sides of the companionway when open. I will build it out of lexan next spring. Ivan Bekey
David: I also find it a pain to keep removing and replacing the boards. Canvas is barely adequate as the heat leaks and drafts will be significant. I am therefore designing a set of swinging half-width doors that will swing from a U-shaped lexan piece that will fit into the channel and wil be the same heighth as the lower wood board and lexan top board. They will swing inward so as to sit flush with the sides of the companionway when open. I will build it out of lexan next spring. Ivan Bekey
Ask Cruising concepts about it
I'll bet Mike could easily cut the doors out of starboard or even some kind of plastic. shoot him and email about it.
I'll bet Mike could easily cut the doors out of starboard or even some kind of plastic. shoot him and email about it.
Home made doors
I made a pair of doors out of mahagony with tinted lexan inserts. Behind the inserts are permanent screens. I used a "lift off" type hinge. These doors have been the single greatest improvement to our boat. Residing under the dodger, they will probably not need refinishing for quite a few years. Any questions feel free to ask. Don sailbode@gis.net
I made a pair of doors out of mahagony with tinted lexan inserts. Behind the inserts are permanent screens. I used a "lift off" type hinge. These doors have been the single greatest improvement to our boat. Residing under the dodger, they will probably not need refinishing for quite a few years. Any questions feel free to ask. Don sailbode@gis.net
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Bruce, any tips on Starboard?
Bruce, I like what you did with the starboard doors. What thickness starboard did you use? Any other tips to share? Any other photos? Thanks, Gary
Bruce, I like what you did with the starboard doors. What thickness starboard did you use? Any other tips to share? Any other photos? Thanks, Gary
Reply to Gary A.
Gary, thanks for the comment. As I said, this is my second set of doors and the first was a learning experience. I used 1/2 inch thick starboard. The starboard cuts easily with a fine tooth (plywood or plastics) blade in a circular saw and can be sanded, routed, shaved with a knife, etc to fit. The best tip I can give is to plan it out very carefully first - the old "measure twice cut once" philosophy. Be sure to consider how the doors will lay when opened (on the 410 I had to provide a non swinging edge so that the hinged part will clear and lay flat against the sides). Also, look at how you fasten them to the boat (both boats I've done have only fiberglass shell around the door edges and the screws will show on the inside). Watch also how the sliding hatch will fit over the doors (on the 29.5 I had to fit the doors into the same slot the hatchboards go so the doors would be under the hatch, on the 410 I have a much longer overhang so they will be in front of the hatch boards). On the first set I tried various locking hardware, none of which I was really pleased with. On the 410 I currently plan to have no handle or locking hardware on the doors and simply put the hatchboards in when I want to lock up. Goodluck if you try to make your own. Bruce
Gary, thanks for the comment. As I said, this is my second set of doors and the first was a learning experience. I used 1/2 inch thick starboard. The starboard cuts easily with a fine tooth (plywood or plastics) blade in a circular saw and can be sanded, routed, shaved with a knife, etc to fit. The best tip I can give is to plan it out very carefully first - the old "measure twice cut once" philosophy. Be sure to consider how the doors will lay when opened (on the 410 I had to provide a non swinging edge so that the hinged part will clear and lay flat against the sides). Also, look at how you fasten them to the boat (both boats I've done have only fiberglass shell around the door edges and the screws will show on the inside). Watch also how the sliding hatch will fit over the doors (on the 29.5 I had to fit the doors into the same slot the hatchboards go so the doors would be under the hatch, on the 410 I have a much longer overhang so they will be in front of the hatch boards). On the first set I tried various locking hardware, none of which I was really pleased with. On the 410 I currently plan to have no handle or locking hardware on the doors and simply put the hatchboards in when I want to lock up. Goodluck if you try to make your own. Bruce
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