Reversing the Beneteau Oceanis 31 aft cabin door.

[SycloneDriver]

I remember reading a how-to on this subject, made it seem easy. A few days ago I decided to try it. The problem is that the aft cabin door opens into the galley. To hold it open we tied it to the stove but if you wanted to use the stove or needed something from the galley it had to untied and retied. There is room for the door to open into the rear cabin, I think the European boats are made this way. I was super easy, almost like it was designed to be installed either way. I like it much better. I still need to find a catch to hold the door open like the v-berth. I have pictures of the reversed door, I'll try to find some of the original and post them.

I couldn't resist adding an extra pic of Smalls. During the search for the pictures I realized that my old Beneteau First 285 had the door opening the same way but it never seemed to bother us, it didn't have much storage behind the stove though.

 

[dlochner]

It is always safer to have a door open into a room rather than out of a room, unless the door leads outside. That's why on all US buildings have doors that open into rooms or out of the building.

 

[BigEasy]

There is room for the door to open into the rear cabin, I think the European boats are made this way. I was super easy, almost like it was designed to be installed either way. I like it much better. I still need to find a catch to hold the door open like the v-berth.

Syclone,
The aft cabin door on my 343 opens into the berth area. There is a plastic prong mounted to the back surface of the door (side facing aft berth) and a corresponding metal pinch bracket attached to the port side of the engine bulk head that provides a means of keeping door open. Also prevents the door from banging while underway.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Nicely done. On our 37 the door opens into the aft cabin, and it has the metal pinch bracket to hold it open mounted on the engine room bullhead. The bracket is a little too stiff and it takes a lot of pulling to unlatch; I should look at that. I also want to add some weather stripping to the door jam. As it is the door shifts just enough when it’s closed to rattle, which is quite annoying overnight.

 

[SycloneDriver]

The door on our v-berth uses the same pinch bracket. I need to find one.

The door on the v-berth looks as if it could also be reversed. It would make installation and removal of the filler portion of the mattress difficult. We currently only use it for storage so it really wouldn't matter. I have considered just removing the door/doors, except for the head.

 

[BigEasy]

The door on our v-berth uses the same pinch bracket. I need to find one.

Can probably find one on the Beneteau spare parts site as they are common on most Beneteau models.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Can probably find one on the Beneteau spare parts site as they are common on most Beneteau models.

I'll look into that. Thanks

 

[Davidasailor26]

Can probably find one on the Beneteau spare parts site as they are common on most Beneteau models.

Sure can. Part 012915 is what the 37 uses. The 34 catalog seems to show that as a large style clip and also 953928 as a small size.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Sure can. Part 012915 is what the 37 uses. The 34 catalog seems to show that as a large style clip and also 953928 as a small size.

I'll take a look at my v-berth door and then I'll go from there. Thanks again.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Any chance of using something like this rather than paying an arm and a leg for a genooine Beneteau part ?

Amazon.ca

Maybe get away with mounting in down here :

If the dimensions of the door holder are not too long.

EDIT. I just noticed the door holder can be floor mounted so as long as it's not a tripping hazard, it may do the trick.

 

[BigEasy]

I'll take a look at my v-berth door and then I'll go from there. Thanks again.

I could not find the door stop / pinch bracket specific for my 343; however, I did find three that were listed in "common" parts section of the catalog.
Door stop (large) 012915, $22.07
Door stop ? 048950, $7.45
Door stop (small) 953928, $8.15

If you decide to order from Beneteau, you will have to order from any Beneteau dealer of your choice, so you may ask them for your specific needs. At least, you now have part numbers, if you can't access the parts catalog. I usually order thru Annapolis yacht sales because they are quick to respond and ship quickly. (AYS is not my local dealer).
As @Davidasailor26 mentioned, the pinch bracket is very tight; however, it holds securely while underway and the door does not pop open.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Any chance of using something like this rather than paying an arm and a leg for a genooine Beneteau part ?

View attachment 213852

Amazon.ca

Maybe get away with mounting in down here :

View attachment 213853

If the dimensions of the door holder are not too long.

EDIT. I just noticed the door holder can be floor mounted so as long as it's not a tripping hazard, it may do the trick.

I'll look onto that, but I have already reversed the door. That's a before picture.

 

[FastOlson]

Very Common problem on many boats. Unless you are obsessive about privacy, just remove the door. After all, the only compartment on a small boat that can justify a closable door is the head. Doors also can reduce air circulation and promote mold.
The main purpose of having lots of closeable doors on boats is to help to sell the boat to a skeptical spouse while shopping at a large indoor winter boat show.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

The doors to my v-berth and aft cabin are held open with a simple stainless steel hook and loop. The ones that are designed correctly and installed correctly will hold the door closed with just enough tension to avoid any rattling annoyance but not so tight that it is difficult to use. But I'll also admit that the doors are strategically placed where upholstery dampens the movement when fully opened. I tend to favor these over the pinch-clamps, which always seem to be too stiff.