CD25D hatch material

[n5ama]

I’m refinishing the hatch on my boat and after sanding it down for the varnish, the wood appears to be mahogany versus teak. Am I just misidentifying the wood?

[Steve Laume]

I don't believe any Cape Dory ever came from the factory with a wooden hatch so it is whatever a PO decided to make it out of, Steve.

[n5ama]

That’s very interesting because it is very professionally done and the hardware looks like Spartan bronze gear.

[mgphl52]

That’s very interesting because it is very professionally done and the hardware looks like Spartan bronze gear.

I'm quite curious! Can you post some pictures?

[Steve Laume]

That’s very interesting because it is very professionally done and the hardware looks like Spartan bronze gear.

Some folks do nice work and could have used the original hardware.

[n5ama]

I’ll post a picture when I’m finished. I’m disappointed so far because the wood will refinish a lot darker than I wanted.

[n5ama]

Here is the hatch refinished in Interlux varnish. It turned way darker than I wanted because it appears to be mahogany.
I think I'll make one out of teak and see if it gets closer to matching the teak exterior trim.
I'm sure the mahogany will hold up ok, it's just way to dark.

[mgphl52]

n5ama:
Aha!!! I think all of the others and me thought you were asking about the "sliding hatch" and not the drop boards
I must say those boards do look great.

[n5ama]

Oops, my bad.

The picture doesn't do the wood justice. It's pretty wood with almost luminous color and grain but to me just looks very out of place here.

[mgphl52]

The picture doesn't do the wood justice. It's pretty wood with almost luminous color and grain but to me just looks very out of place here.

Well, I'm guessing just maybe a PO had some issue with the hatch boards and didn't have access to teak...

[Steve Laume]

Now I get it. Hatch boards not the hatch.

I have seen a few drop boards on Cape Dories. They were all made of one, teak, board each and not glued up. The exception to that is some Typhoons That had a one piece plywood drop board. If that was the case, I can well imagine a PO making up some mahogany boards. Those plywood boards tended to de laminate and get nasty. If you needed to make up those boards and priced out the teak you may well have done the same.

At a distance they look great. If it is only the color that bothers you then it seems like doing anything other than varnishing them would be low on the list. They are going to be out of sight most of the time you are using your boat and they serve their purpose, Steve.

[n5ama]

Steve, of course you are right, but you know how it is with all the newer boats on the pier. Their owners walk by in route to their boat and see your 1985 boat. They look down their noses at your little unworthy 25' boat compared to their bright, shiny new 50' cruiser. :<)

[tjr818]

First off, I wouldn't give a care about how those folks think or feel about your boat. If it would make you feel better you could always paint the drop boards, yellow or blue would look nice and it would look more intentional than trying to match the off white of the cockpit fiberglass.