Companion way doors

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StephenK's picture
StephenK
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Posts: 129
Companion way doors

I am considering dressing up my new boat and looking at adding companion way doors (...maybe an early Christmas present). I sail on an inland lake and am interested in ease of use and functionality. Can anyone give some feedback on making this change / upgrade to their boat?

I believe that Zarcor has a sale on Catalina doors until Nov 15th and would like any additional feedback on the Starboard doors they manufacture.

Many thanks.

Stephen Kruse
Kruse Control #1428
1995 C-36 MKII SR/WK
Lake Lanier, Ga.

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LCBrandt
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Stephen, if you do a search for the word 'companionway' you will see in the resulting list several threads on this topic. I just did a quick search and came up with three different vendors.

Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
 

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Steve Frost
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Posts: 788

I like the look of some of the companionway doors and not needing to store the hatch boards would be nice but, due to our wide companionways I have not seen a set that would work for me. One of everyones favorite spots to sit in the cockpit is leaning against the bulkhead under the dodger. None of the doors I have seen allow this or the doors will not fold past the cockpit seat and that looks like it would just clutter up the cockpit. If I need to remove the doors and store them there is little advantaged over the stock hatch boards.

Is there something out there I am not aware of?

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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ProfDruhot
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Posts: 354

Steven, soon after I purchased our boat I ordered a set of the Zarcor doors and fitted them for the companionway. Anymore whenever we are out sailing I simply remove them and place them down below. Other than installing a Lemar folding wheel, I believe the best improvement so far to [B][I][COLOR="Navy"]Carpe Diem[/COLOR][/I][/B] has been removing those darn pesky hatch boards.

Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B

Steve Frost's picture
Steve Frost
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It sounds like you are happy with them. I have not experienced them so I have no basis for judgement other than my feeble thought processes.
I really have no problems with the hatch boards other than storing them, sliding in three boards or lining up the pivot pins on two doors does not seem like a big savings in time and you need to store both when not in use.

What I would like is a set of doors that do not change the ergonomics of the cockpit but, easily allow you to secure the cabin if you are threatened by boarding seas or cold and nasty weather. The only way I would see such a set up working would be to have a short drop board at the bottom of the companion way that stays in place requiring you to step over it and double hinged doors above that can open and lay flat against the bulkhead. Another option would be doors with a hinged flap at the bottom tht allows the lower part of the door to hinge up and clear the cockpit seat.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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Nimue
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I think a configuration with a lower drop board and upper hinged doors would be the ticket most of the time.

If quick deployment is what you want, I think it could be done but would be a major project. Have a look at the door on a Farr 40 (race boat, obviously). It is a drop board, but click it forward and it slides down out of the way into a recess. I think if you were willing to make the lowest drop board permanent, you could easily have the space to engineer something like this on a 36 mk 1, and probably with less modification on a mk 2.

Jason V
Vancouver, BC, Canada

StephenK's picture
StephenK
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Posts: 129

I appreciate the responses..that's exactly the type input I was looking for. I researched prior posts by doing a "search", but wanted some more feedback...and I got it.

I haven't made a decision as I am pondering from a list of possible upgrades like, companionway doors, rigid boom vang, folding cockpit wheel, folding / feathering prop...etc.

Stephen Kruse
Kruse Control #1428
1995 C-36 MKII SR/WK
Lake Lanier, Ga.

Allan R's picture
Allan R
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Posts: 177

If you are handy with woodworking or know someone that is, try making your own. I took the challenge several years back and they came out pretty good and have been happy with them. They make it very convenient to go in and out and keep the elements and other such things out of the cabin. The ones I built have lift off hinges in the event I want out of the way.

Total cost of all materials was under $100 for the doors. The folding cockpit table cost a little more to make as I purchased the hardware from Edson.

Allan Rex
# 2216

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caprice 1050
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Posts: 345

I use both the three copanion boards and a set of hinged doors. I used the boards when Caprice is docked at my home dock and take them out when sailing. When I arrive at a marina or anchor out I stow the boards and put in the doors.

While at a marina the doors keep the cabin A/C in the cabin and not going out the hatch. However, when sailing with the doors closed they get in the way of easy access to the cabin and if left open they are in the way of the cockpit seats so I stow them below.

Mike
Caprice 1050

__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050

stu jackson c34's picture
stu jackson c34
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Posts: 1270

The real issue with these manufactured doors is that our cockpit seats are HIGHER than the bottom of the doors. The doors are just fine if you want easy-in easy-out for air conditioning or bugs, but functionality is not high on the doors. We're "blessed" here by being able to sail almost year round with the hatch boards out and own below. If I lived in FL or NC I'd consider the doors, but would think seriously about the points made about having them functional by needing a lower board in, which would make three (count 'em) pieces. We currently have only two hatch boards on our '86 C34, the Mark II C34s have three, so what's the advantage, other than those mentioned above?

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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