Need better cabin access

Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,833
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
The entrance into the cabin of my O'day 25 consist of stepping from the bridge deck to the counter top to one more step, then down to the cabin sole.
These are big steps for the Admiral and her two bionic hips.
Been racking my brain trying to figure out a better step arrangement but no joy.
Anyone have any ideas for a way to make the entrance easier?
 

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Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
When I rebuilt Bietzpadlin I took into consideration the ease of access. This is what I have.
 
Johnb

Johnb

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Jan 22, 2008
1,505
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
Further to the steps I would also place handles on the inside and encourage all to face the steps when using them.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,319
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
That big, boxy, bottom step needs to go... here's pic that might help. Add a couple of hand holds on either side of the hatchway... and perhaps reinforce a larger horizontal one on the sliding hatch facing that will allow you to sit on the threshold as you drop down into the cabin and find the bottom two steps.

 
sdstef

sdstef

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Jan 31, 2013
140
Hunter 28 Branched Oak Lake
Ward H said:
The entrance into the cabin of my O'day 25 consist of stepping from the bridge deck to the counter top to one more step, then down to the cabin sole.
These are big steps for the Admiral and her two bionic hips.
Been racking my brain trying to figure out a better step arrangement but no joy.
Anyone have any ideas for a way to make the entrance easier?
Click to expand
Your Oday 25 is much different than mine. I have the galley countertop squared off, so that the first step is a straight shot down and then a three rung ladder to the sole. I am with Joe, about the box step. Maybe you could build something to extend or square off the countertop and provide a bigger first step. You would lose some access to the quarter berth. Mine is mostly used for storage. Then get some nice teak hand holds on the companion way bulkhead which would help on the climb out. For the climb in you would need to put a hand hold on the ceiling close to the slider opening.
 
sailormanbigd

sailormanbigd

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Jul 24, 2006
628
Legnos, Starwind, Regal Mystic 30 cutter, 22 trailer sailor, bow rider NEW PORT RICHEY, FL
like Joe's C27

mine had a similar araingement like the C27 Joe posted a pic off wxcept the where individual steps attached to the cabinet below the counter top. You could get a few stainless grab rails at one of the big box stores normally used in bathrooms for the companionway or the roof top?
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
Ward H said:
The entrance into the cabin of my O'day 25 consist of stepping from the bridge deck to the counter top to one more step, then down to the cabin sole.
These are big steps for the Admiral and her two bionic hips.
Been racking my brain trying to figure out a better step arrangement but no joy.
Anyone have any ideas for a way to make the entrance easier?
Click to expand
Add a through-bolted folding step to port, block-reinforced if the wall is thin, where I've drawn a black line in the pic. I say to port because your lower step would be blocked with one installed above it, as it was not intended to have an intermediate step. IE: it's too slim front to back.

A folding step (pic example, there are others to choose), so that it does not interfere with the quarterberth if you need that space for a guest.

Also, add handholds as others have said, where I've drawn the other black lines. They must be vertical for strength, and through-bolted.

A small companionway step ladder is great too as one other posted, but the folding step is just plain easy.
 

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Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,833
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Great ideas.
Handholds should be easy. I can thru bolt thru the hatch board retainers on the outside of the bulkhead, inset the bolt heads and use bungs to cover the bolt heads.
The hand holds will be drilled for washer, nut and bung.

I had not thought about removing the step box but that will be easy. That step raises for storage and covers the CB pendant tube but I won't miss the storage and can work around the pendant tube.

Joe, what you show will be perfect. Would you happen to know the tread width? It is hard to tell from the photo but I imagine I need the steps angled like a ladder, not verticalCan I save room by making them more vertical than a regular stairway?

Ross, your steps look great. They look almost vertical. Is that why the treads are cut like that?

Sailorman, sounds like your steps would be directly over each other? How did that work vs maybe setting the second step out a little?
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,319
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Here's one source.... http://www.thaiteak-marine.com/?page_id=401 ... Remember these ladders are designed to be removable...... Like my three step version, which can be removed to access engine compartment or storage area under cockpit deck. Try googling "teak companionway ladder" for lots of pix and links. You'll find what you need.

Oh... note the pic from the oday 25 brochure... yours must be p.o. conversion.

 
Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,833
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the photos. That brochure is of an earlier model 25. The box with step is original on the 80 and later models. It looks like it's main purpose was to cover the CB pendant tube and provide the one step. The tube doesn't show in that brochure so it may have been the earlier model which had a winch on a post further forward for the CB pendant.

I got my brain in gear and did some googling and found the tai teak ladder as well as several photos of the Cat 27 showing the ladder like yours. Even found the ladder brackets at Catalina Direct.

Will be at the boat all day tomorrow so will take some measurements and see what I can come up with. Got plenty of 3/4 scrap to play around with and when I get a good design will get some nicer wood to make up a more permanent ladder.
 
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