Reinforcing swing-open companionway doors for heavy weather

[Rdubs]

Hi all,
I have a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469. It has companionway doors which open outwards as opposed to storm boards. I bought a Jordan Series Drogue which received high praise in many quarters, in case I run into some bad weather, but as everyone knows it is designed to hold the stern to the sea. That means waves could come into the cockpit, and while water can drain out of the swim platform gap pretty quickly, a wave smashing into the companionway doors would well buckle them in.

Has anyone had any experience with helping the doors sustain rough conditions? I might be able to make a wooden cover which would somehow cover the doors and absorb the brunt of an impact, but not sure how best to mount it or if there are better ideas out there.

Many thanks.
'Dubs

[Paul L]

Are there no side slots behind the door for dropping in companionway slides?

[Rdubs]

Unfortunately no. Here are a couple pics of the doors / doorway.

[psk125]

Looks like there's sufficient space for some drop-boards between the open plexi doors and the wood trim. You only need space for a lip to slide in there. The drop-boards could be held in place with turn buttons or barrel bolts on the inside. If you're concerned that the trim isn't strong enough to resist the force of a wave, rig the barrel bolts to slide into holes drilled into the fiberglass, or into fittings bolted on more securely. The plexi doors look like they close flush against the fiberglass of the companionway, so you should be able to have the drop boards AND the doors shut. Aluminum drop-boards might be stronger than plywood, but could get heavy.

[RaymondR]

You just need a couple of vertical slats on the side of the companionway say about 1 1/8" away from the existing doors into which you can drop solid timber storm boards. There appears to be a fairly wide ledge on the bottom and both sides for them to force up against if the cockpit gets filled with water. Slide bolts on the top board to go into holes on the added slats will hold them all in place.