1 mo time - I messed up the first message subject line so I'm
resubmitting:
Hello all:
l) Would like to hear from anyone who has made modifications
or improvements to the companion way step arrangement on
their 28. It has always been a bit of a wrestle to get our steps in
and out. But now, after a repair person visited the boat,
we find the steps "fallen in" resting on the engine because the
piece of wood that the starboard side (icebox side) sliding latches
fits into has been separated from the supporting piece to starboard.
The screws pulled out. We could replace the screws with
longer screws and reinforce the starboard area somehow.
Has anyone ever changed over to another arrangement such as
drop-in or hinges??
dibblep@vcss.k12.ca.us
CD28 Sailboat COMPANION WAY STEPS
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Lyn Heiges
Re: CD28 Sailboat COMPANION WAY STEPS
Pete,
I have the original step arrangement on 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD (#307) and in comparison to the arrangement on my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT, I prefer the CD28 set-up. The CD27 allows you to remove the "landing" or uppermost horizontal wood surface mounted on the counter and reach down in the resulting hole to twist the two wood "clamps" which fit along the two vertical sides of the companionway set assembly. The problem with these is that although they are through-bolted with round-headed bolts through the face of the companionway assembly (with flat washers under the round heads) to the blocks of wood which rotate to clamp the assembly in position and finished with another set of flat washers and nylon insert nuts, they have a tendency to rotate with vibration from the engine and hull. Sure, you can tighten them down so they are more resistant to this rotation, but what is the correct amount? In hot, humid, weather the expansion of the wood makes it very difficult with the friction coefficient of the two mating wood surfaces to rotate them when you need engine access for check the oil and opening the Kingston cock. In cooler, drier, weather they loosen up and rotate. Ideally, you are using the boat every weekend and you can adjust them to the proper tension, but I have found I have a wife and kids who have more demands, so I am only able to make limited use of the boats! I would seriously look into repair and stiffening of the companionway step assembly that was there as it seems quite serviceable and well planned in original set-up. I have to say that the CD27 steps are wider and make it easier on landlubbers to traverse and this may be a modification I will make to MOON CHILD someday.
Best Regards,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOOON CHILD
CD27 GUILLEMOT
lheiges@compuserve.com
I have the original step arrangement on 1981 CD28 MOON CHILD (#307) and in comparison to the arrangement on my 1980 CD27 GUILLEMOT, I prefer the CD28 set-up. The CD27 allows you to remove the "landing" or uppermost horizontal wood surface mounted on the counter and reach down in the resulting hole to twist the two wood "clamps" which fit along the two vertical sides of the companionway set assembly. The problem with these is that although they are through-bolted with round-headed bolts through the face of the companionway assembly (with flat washers under the round heads) to the blocks of wood which rotate to clamp the assembly in position and finished with another set of flat washers and nylon insert nuts, they have a tendency to rotate with vibration from the engine and hull. Sure, you can tighten them down so they are more resistant to this rotation, but what is the correct amount? In hot, humid, weather the expansion of the wood makes it very difficult with the friction coefficient of the two mating wood surfaces to rotate them when you need engine access for check the oil and opening the Kingston cock. In cooler, drier, weather they loosen up and rotate. Ideally, you are using the boat every weekend and you can adjust them to the proper tension, but I have found I have a wife and kids who have more demands, so I am only able to make limited use of the boats! I would seriously look into repair and stiffening of the companionway step assembly that was there as it seems quite serviceable and well planned in original set-up. I have to say that the CD27 steps are wider and make it easier on landlubbers to traverse and this may be a modification I will make to MOON CHILD someday.
Best Regards,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOOON CHILD
CD27 GUILLEMOT
Pete Dibble wrote: 1 mo time - I messed up the first message subject line so I'm
resubmitting:
Hello all:
l) Would like to hear from anyone who has made modifications
or improvements to the companion way step arrangement on
their 28. It has always been a bit of a wrestle to get our steps in
and out. But now, after a repair person visited the boat,
we find the steps "fallen in" resting on the engine because the
piece of wood that the starboard side (icebox side) sliding latches
fits into has been separated from the supporting piece to starboard.
The screws pulled out. We could replace the screws with
longer screws and reinforce the starboard area somehow.
Has anyone ever changed over to another arrangement such as
drop-in or hinges??
lheiges@compuserve.com