Anyone made companionway doors?

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Dec 31st, '07, 08:50

A lot of boats a pretty common feature is companionway doors, double doors, ussually louvered, that are a bit handier then hatch boards. I wonder if anyone has made a set of these for their cape dory? Its something I have considered often. Granted offshore hatchboards are the only way to go, but when bobbing around on the hook, doors would sure be nice instead.

Bob L · Post by **Bob L** » Jan 2nd, '08, 00:16

Russell,

Our boat came with a set of doors for the companionway. One of the POs built it. Unfortunately, the wood was very light weight and eventually several joints broke. I made another frame out of mahogany that the doors hinge from. The frame inserts into the companionway grooves, and the doors swing out. Each door has a screen and a plexiglas insert.

The only thing I don't like about this arrangement is the frame bottom can sometime cause one to trip over it. A different arrangement could be to hinge the doors directly on the frame of the companionway itself. However, the ability to easily remove the doors has its advantages (like when hatchboards are required).

I'll search to see if I have any photographs of the doors and post them if I do.

Bob

Bob L · Post by **Bob L** » Jan 2nd, '08, 00:35

Here are two photos of the door/frame. The doors latch on the inside.

<img width="540" src="http://astro.uchicago.edu/~rfl/mag/v1.jpg">

<img width="540" src="http://astro.uchicago.edu/%7Erfl/IMG_1413.jpg">

Parfait's Provider · Post by **Parfait's Provider** » Jan 2nd, '08, 07:30

Seems as if it ought to be pretty easy to fasten those doors in the board slots with fastpins, thumbscrews or something from the inside so that the bottom frame member could be removed completely to eliminate the tripping factor. How are the upper corners held?

This would also allow the two sides to be stored in a much smaller space and even separately.

A different hinging arrangement would allow the doors to open flush to the bulkhead; perhaps a hinge as found on some hospital room doors, but on a smaller scale.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Jan 2nd, '08, 09:22

I had not considered the option of making a setup like that which fit into the board slots, interesting, I would have thought there would be a fair amount of weakness though in the base with no having support across the top.

I was thinking more of doors attached with hinges to the companionway frame itsself. You can get various types of quick disconnect hinges, there are ones which are basicly a pin which the hinge cylinder slides over, so its simply a lift off to remove procedure. Though ken brings up a good point, it would be nice if when open they were flush with the bulkhead, that might be a tricky thing to work around.

Parfait's Provider · Post by **Parfait's Provider** » Jan 2nd, '08, 09:57

[img]http://www.dynamic-living.com/media/pro ... hinge2.jpg[/img]

Maybe this will help? $20 a pair. See: http://www.dynamic-living.com/offset_hinge.htm

Bob L · Post by **Bob L** » Jan 2nd, '08, 10:18

Russell wrote: I would have thought there would be a fair amount of weakness though in the base with no having support across the top.

That's true. The original frame broke at one of the lower joints. After making another frame (mahogany) and four years of use, it's still ok. However, using hinges on the companionway frame itself is a better way to go, and as Ken points out, it's easier to store the doors than the whole frame/door assembly.

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Jan 2nd, '08, 10:28

Hey Russell:

I thought about making a set of doors for exactly what you mention, at anchor, dock, etc. What I ended up doing is make an insulated cover for the companionway opening. Much easier to stow and IF the doors don't lie flat against the bulkhead when opened they will get in the way!!

Happy New year all

Tod M · Post by **Tod M** » Jan 2nd, '08, 16:28

This is a PSC 25 but....

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/tra ... ead/610719

Chris Reinke · Post by **Chris Reinke** » Jan 3rd, '08, 10:00

On a previous boat we had a set of doors set on hinges attached to the inner side of the hatch board tracks. They had screens, but i am sure they could have been easily fitted with plexiglass or louvered inserts. The doors hinged inwards and secured flat against the bulkhead when not in use. The angle of the sides of the companionway frame allowed the doors to swing slightly downward and easily cleared the coach roof. When in use they would swing across the companionway and latch securely to each other. This arrangement allowed for unobstructed access to the hatch board tracks when we needed to secure the companionway for security or from weather.

The Cape Dory Board

Anyone made companionway doors?

Anyone made companionway doors?

Companionway doors

Some Thoughts

Offset Hinge

companionway doors

Russell, this topic just came up here:

Companionway doors and hatch boards