Howdy all,
don't know it this has been asked and answered before and maybe it is somewhere on the web but here goes. I want to replace the ball and catch mechanism that is used to keep the older style cabinet doors closed with the catches they are now selling a catalina direct but they require that there is a finger hole so that the latch can, well be unlatched. problem is i don't know what size of hole it should be. i figger is should be big enough for a finger to reach in but i thought some one might have done that and could tell the size they used. it looks like the recessed pulls are between 3/4 and 7/8 inch. anyone know what it normally is?
—
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Mike,
I can't remember what size hole I made, but I used the existing recessed finger pulls as a guide. I left the outer lips intact, and drilled from the back of the doors to make a hole as wide as the inside of the finger pull. Possibly the finger pull is 2" long x 1" wide??? Behind and below the new round holes, I installed the following latches:
[URL]http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?produ...
These at WM seem ridiculously expensive. I'm sure you can find them for less. They never opened when they shouldn't, and never broke. Other fancier plastic/chrome push button latches always seem to be breaking. I've attached a pic. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
My boat had the spring fail on a couple of my latches, I found a dab of RTV under the swing arm worked as a good repair as a spring replacement.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Tom,
you must keep great records of everything you did! thanks for the info, based on the photo it looks like you place the latch at the bottom of the door pull, is that correct?
best regards,
Mike
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I'll measure the holes in my cabinets tomorrow and post the size.
Cheers, Bill
S/V Wild Wind, 1988 SR, #813,
Channel Islands Marina, CA
Mike,
Yes, through the years I have documented most improvements I made to Julandra. Almost all of them are shown at this link:
[url]http://www.c36ia.com/node/263[/url]
There's a TON of good stuff in the Technical section of this website!
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Lot's of good stuff on there Tom; seeing what's behind your electrical panel, you've guilty'd me into attacking the wiring behind my electrical panel; or should I say the rat's nest behind my panel.
After 9 years of dealing with the knuckle buster latches on the cabinets on my '88 C30, I've changed all of them to us the push button latches I saw on a later model C36 at a boat show. These are chrome, but I got brass for mine (from Fawcett's in Annapolis), to match the cabin lights. Someday when I have some extra boat bucks, I'll probably change to brass hinges too; just 'cause I like brass (personal taste).
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|311444|311569&id=1015067
I find them much easier on the fingers. It was necessary to slightly enlarge the knuckle buster hole, I believe to 3/4", but I did it a long time ago so not sure. And installing the strikers was hit or miss, it seemed that every cabinet was slightly different. But once complete, I'm much happier with them.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay