Pocket Doors

[sandpiper10471]

The pocket doors to the aft cabin and head keep jumping off their tracks if slid via the routed handle. Is there a cure?

Also, how does one remove these doors for refinishing without butchering the false bulkheads?

 

[Ed Schenck]

Mine too!

The pocket doors need little wheels on the bottom. Then maybe you could adjust the hangers so they still slide easily but stay on the track. Mine come off in heavy seas even when they are latched open. But they are not difficult to put back on. Another fix might be to attach something above the track wheels so the door cannot lift. I have just always lived with it.

So far as removing I have never tried. But it seems to me you should be able to detach the leading edge hanger easily. Then, if you can get to the screws for the back hanger, the door would drop down enough to get it out. But when I think about it I can see how it might not. Sure would not want to have to remove the frame if I could help it.

 

[Mark Price]

Door removal

Not sure of the exact style wheel but Home Depot has them. You can remove the hangers and take them to HD and get new ones, the small wheels get worn out. As for removing the doors there is a small piece of teak that sticks up at the bottom of the door track. It is held on with two (maybe three not sure) screws that go from the outside toward the track on the side. Not from the top down. You have to look real hard to see there they are as they are pluged with teak and sanded smooth. Use a screw to back out the plugs then remove the screws beneath them, the small teak trim will then come out and you will have enough room to remove the door after you remove the hangers at the top.

Mark Price
S/V Illusion

 

[Mark Price]

Found a photo

The small trim piece is the one at the top of the three. It is the same for the rear quarter berth. The trim is towards the companionway steps.

 

[Mark Price]

Second try

Hope this one has the photo.

Mark

 

[sandpiper10471]

And on the same track

Thanks, Mark. I think this will help. And while looking at the forward pocket door, I got to thinking about removing the staysail traveler for rebedding and refinishing. I only see two bolts coming through very near the pocket door, one at each end of the traveler. Am I to assume then that it is attached with screws rather than bolts? Otherwise it seems the bolts are entirely hidden by the pocket door frame. Yikes!

 

[Mark Price]

Not sure

That is also on my do list. I think you are right (at least I hope it is!!)

Mark

 

[Ed A]

door questions on 37c

Interesting post, My doors the slider to the head area and the slider to the back cabin are both set in wood tracks. there is a plastic track the door slides on, ( not very well). There are no door hangers at the top the doors just sit in the channel. mine wont come out if you wanted them too. but they dont slide well.

I thought i would put a plastic wedge or the like on the top of the door to keep it level when you push or pull it. Mine wants to rotate up, all the weight goes on the back lower corner and the door wants to bind.

Is this the same as the other eariler boats have. mine is an 84-- #386.

 

[sandpiper10471]

nylon tracks

My cutter is a 1981 model and the doors are suspended on wheels which travel on metal tracks. I guess Ed's doors don't slip off the tracks but that is minor compared to not being able to slide them!

 

[Ed A]

another difference

The doors then fall into the catagory of another difference in the 37c models. The early boats have doors on rollers the later ones are just sliding on a strip of plastic in the track.

I will sooner or later get them so they will slide well. a little silicone lube on the botton once in a while helps.