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04-07-2020, 10:37
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Boat: Tashiba-31
Posts: 480
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Keeping cabinet doors closed
I have a number of cabinets with doors that you reach a finger thru to access the latch. In a rough passage, it's possible for items inside to shift, hit the latch and open the doors.
I've been giving some thought to a good way to secure these without adding any hardware and came up with this idea. A wide ribbon will fit around the door without binding. I'm thinking I'll add a buckle where the needle is now to it so I can tighten it up yet still have quick access.
What do you think - will this work? Would velcro work for the closure?
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04-07-2020, 11:08
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DFW, Tx / Kemah
Boat: Hallberg Rassy Rasmus
Posts: 100
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
I had those "reach-thru" latches, and hated them. I had what I thought was an irrational fear of breaking my finger in one.
Until I met someone who HAD broken a finger in one.
So I changed them all with pull latches - a direct fit
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Keenso+Un...ref=nb_sb_noss
__________________
Paul
It's never too late for a happy childhood. I'm on my third
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04-07-2020, 11:18
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,398
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
What about rabbit hut hatch clips at the top? keep them stiff and they don't need to be used in harbour, just at sea.
Pete
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04-07-2020, 19:54
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Noank, Ct. USA
Boat: Cape Dory 31
Posts: 3,161
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
Quote:
Originally Posted by dmksails
I have a number of cabinets with doors that you reach a finger thru to access the latch. In a rough passage, it's possible for items inside to shift, hit the latch and open the doors.
I've been giving some thought to a good way to secure these without adding any hardware and came up with this idea. A wide ribbon will fit around the door without binding. I'm thinking I'll add a buckle where the needle is now to it so I can tighten it up yet still have quick access.
What do you think - will this work? Would velcro work for the closure?
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I’m not questioning your veracity but I find this quite unusual. I have all finger hole type latches and I’ve never had one open on its own. It’s not like I just coastal cruise so I’ve never been in adverse conditions. I’ve sailed to Bermuda four times and hit all kinds of crappy weather for days on end.
Perhaps you need to revisit your stowage. I use towels and plastic shopping bags to keep things from moving. There’s nothing worse than something making noise and the crew trying to hunt the culprit down.
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05-07-2020, 00:35
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Australia
Boat: BUILT!!! Roberts Mauritius 43ft
Posts: 3,561
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
What about these?
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05-07-2020, 08:33
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oakland, CA
Boat: Freedom 38
Posts: 2,503
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
Quote:
Originally Posted by pilott
I had those "reach-thru" latches, and hated them. I had what I thought was an irrational fear of breaking my finger in one.
Until I met someone who HAD broken a finger in one.
So I changed them all with pull latches - a direct fit
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Keenso+Un...ref=nb_sb_noss
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Same fear...I have almost wrenched a finger and could see how a broken finger could easily happen. I just bought a push button device that should fit in the existing hole. I'm experimenting with what works best. Though the OP didn't want to buy hardware, these look like good options that are not very expensive.
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05-07-2020, 08:46
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
I’m not sure what they are called, but all our cabinets are kept closed by simple latch that is an hourglass shaped part that slides between two balls held by springs, they aren’t easily opened is the down side, but they don’t open on their own either.
You still stick your finger through a hole, but you just pull with it.
The doors have the rabbit hutch latches to hold them open.
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05-07-2020, 09:20
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 254
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
When designing a galley, I had the same irrational fear of broken fingers with the poke through latches. I settled on these slam shut, pull to open latches, Southco M1-15-61-8
Allan.
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05-07-2020, 09:30
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
That will work. I like those reach through latches but they are a bear to adjust perfectly, so will come open at times. For offshore I like a little "turn latch" of oblong wood on the cabinet face. Rotate to block door opening. They can be nice out of exotic wood... and dead simple. But you have trim....
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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05-07-2020, 09:47
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 6,174
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
Pilott said all that needs to be said, and Gamayun supported it. Those holes with latches on the backs of doors and drawers are specifically designed to break sailors' fingers when their boats roll. "Pretty" is NOT the principal design criterion for boats - or at least it shouldn't be!
The proper device for securing doors and drawers in boat is what is called a "turn button" . If you don't know what turn buttons are, google for them. Then make your own bespoke ones by whittling a bit of teak or any other suitable wood. Simple, dirt cheap and fool-proof!
TrentePieds
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05-07-2020, 10:09
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Fond du Lac WI
Boat: Watkins 27 - 27'
Posts: 922
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
This worked for us - however in rolling seas, the doors could partially open and make some noise as the boat rolled and they partially opened and closed.
https://www.acehardware.com/departme...safety/5005879
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05-07-2020, 11:12
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 117
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
I'm with Cheechako and TrentePieds on this one. A simple toggle carved out of wood and secured with a screw is the simplest, cheapest, and best solution for this. Depending on the geometry and layout of your doors, one toggle between two doors might work.
Simple is good.
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05-07-2020, 21:29
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Live in Boise, boat is in the Rio Dulce
Boat: 56' CNSO Mikado Cutter Ketch
Posts: 367
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Re: Keeping cabinet doors closed
I use the plastic child proof latches that you install inside for all my cabinet and drawers. After 8 years I’ve never had any fail. About 10/$10.00 at any hardware store.
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