Companionway Door Brainstorming Session

[rourkeh]

There is a company in Florida
Entry Doors - Custom Teak Marine Woodwork
they build really nice teak entryway doors, for a reasonable price. No charge for customizing. I sent them a photo of my current set up, talked to them on the phone and received an excellent computer generated set of drawings for the doors and frame. They use really excellent german stainless locksets and hardware. Got a quote here locally in the caribbean and it was double the $$, and about half as nice.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Shrink some shrink tubing over the hooks.

Brilliant!! I have several hooks that hold doors open that will get done today.

[siamese]

Find a large log, and drag it across the companionway to close it. Drag it the other way to open it. That's what our distant ancestors did to secure their caves.

And there has been very little progress from that system...on sailboats, anyway. It's really pretty pathetic. Pay a couple hundred thousand for a sailboat...and you get boards! Yippee.

Yeah, I get that boards will stop a wave better than a door, but there's no reason why a set of stout boards can't be used as a backup in a rough weather situation.

There are no truly elegant solutions to the companionway door problem. The problem begins at the designer's drafting table. Are any designers thinking outside of the box on this issue?

The Zarcor doors are one of the best retro solutions to a basic design problem. But, when open, the doors protrude into the cockpit area where all the commotion is while underway. They're fine when not sailing, or when things have at least calmed down.

On some boats, the companionway is recessed, so that it lies 20" or so forward of the adjacent cockpit bulkheads. Outward swinging doors would be ideal with this arrangement, as when they're swung open, they wouldn't be in the way.

For now, if you want a decent companionway door, get a Searay.

[dlymn]

Maybe a panel hinged vertically down the centre with a drop down bar to hold it flat and secure for lock up.

[Pirate007]

Hi DDAbs,
We have Caliber 40LRC with the drop boards as well the removable companionway doors. Boards have a Sunbrella storage pouch that hangs next to the Navigator seat, doors are always kept on unless we decide to remove them and store on nice days sailing around Tampa Bay. We are located in Palmetto and will send you a few pics later this evening. Also have a set of companion way removable hinges if you are looking for hardware.

JT: Water Music IV

[Pirate007]

Hi,
A few pics of our 40LRC with the companion way doors. We bought her with these solid doors but will likely modify them for removable screens and Lexan ports.

[Cheechako]

I really liked my hinged removable doors for most of the time living aboard. Much handier than drop boards. Fortunately, often the hinged variety can go outside the slot for the drop boards. Store the drop boards until a bad day at sea. Use the hinged the rest of the time.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

DDabs -

I think you might be violating my patent by infringement... Mine utilizes a luxurious full bath turkish towel, and teak plank weighting... Not those super cheap tourist towels that you get at the beach store... Please forward pictures and details on duration of use so that we may discuss royalty compensation...




Brilliant is right... Investigating... Thanks duefocena

Just don't put any snaps on your towel and companionway hatch or I'll have to sue...