Locking Companionway

gadangit · Apr 16, 2020

Could I get some pictures of how people are getting locks on their companionway slider/drop boards? Does anyone have any crazy ideas of using a remotely controlled solenoid? Our boat has no lock or way to lock it so I am looking for ideas.
Christian, the picture of your companionway lock on the sea hood thread looks pretty simple and close to what I was imagining. I just can't tell what is latching to what?

kapnkd · Apr 16, 2020

gadangit said:
Could I get some pictures of how people are getting locks on their companionway slider/drop boards? Does anyone have any crazy ideas of using a remotely controlled solenoid? Our boat has no lock or way to lock it so I am looking for ideas.
Christian, the picture of your companionway lock on the sea hood thread looks pretty simple and close to what I was imagining. I just can't tell what is latching to what?

Strange there was no locking mechanism. Always thought the Ericson boats came with a lock and hasp already installed to the top center of the top companion way board to secure the hatch when closed.

Never considered an electric solenoid driven lock system. I prefer the engineer’s “KISS” principal way I was taught of doing things - “Keep It Simple Stupid”. Less to go wrong at the worst possible time.

BTW... I prefer a combination lock so it’s one less key to worry about plus your - trusted - crew can also open the boat if needed or you’re running late on race day.

gadangit · Apr 16, 2020

That companionway slider is gorgeous.
I basically rebuilt that whole area, so nothing original anymore. The wood dropboards were salvageable, but the top was not. It is all plexiglass now and I don't want to start drilling holes until I am sure of what I want. I like your simple hasp, it fits very nicely in the picture.

Loren Beach · Apr 16, 2020

FWIW, that hasp arrangement on Kapnkd's boat is like the factory setup on my Olson and our prior Niagara. I have seen it on a lot of boats.

Christian Williams · Apr 16, 2020

Chris, just a standard latch. This pic makes it clearer. I was worried about how to grasp a one-piece hatchboard, and whether I'd need a handle of some sort. Not so. This fairly large hasp gives plenty of grip to remove or install one-handed.

...

kapnkd · Apr 16, 2020

gadangit said:
That companionway slider is gorgeous.
I basically rebuilt that whole area, so nothing original anymore. The wood dropboards were salvageable, but the top was not. It is all plexiglass now and I don't want to start drilling holes until I am sure of what I want. I like your simple hasp, it fits very nicely in the picture.

Thanks, it’s a rebuild of the original single piece Teak veneered companion way which gave up the ghost years ago. This one is made up of 3 solid pieces of Mahogany and the white lines are simply 1/4” tape.

I have since picked up a later model Ericson 32 solid Teak hatch from one that was going to be cut up. I’ve refinished it and will swap it out then refinish this one. (Easy winter projects.)

gadangit · Apr 16, 2020

Christian Williams said:
Chris, just a standard latch. This pic makes it clearer. I was worried about how to grasp a one-piece hatchboard, and whether I'd need a handle of some sort. Not so. This fairly large hasp gives plenty of grip to remove or install one-handed.

View attachment 33261...View attachment 33268

I see. My pull wood is behind my top piece, yours is above your glass. I've got to get something like a post with a hole in it that could poke through my top glass. Lock goes through the hole.
I suppose it doesn't need to be a post, maybe just a fixed padeye type loop.

gadangit · Apr 16, 2020

Loren Beach said:
FWIW, that hasp arrangement on Kapnkd's boat is like the factory setup on my Olson and our prior Niagara. I have seen it on a lot of boats.

For years now I have been peering at every boat I walk past to see what came from the factory. It's one thing to see how someone hung up a solar panel, staring at their lock could be misunderstood.

frick · Apr 16, 2020

The Simple hasp and lock is meant to keep honest people honest. A Thief can get in, but the simple hasp will limit the amount of damage they will do in breaking in.

goldenstate · Apr 16, 2020

Bronze (brass?) clasp, part of an elaborate stained glass acrylic-covered doorI inherited.

KWay · Apr 17, 2020

Chris; I really hate wood on the outside of boat the less wood the better. Wood needs to be inside safe from the weather so a few years ago both the we changed out both the slider and drop boards.......

I wish I had better photos of the project but just didn't take any I guess I'll never be a very good YouTuber
Kent and Linda

gadangit · Apr 17, 2020

Hi Kent and Linda!
That really looks great. Is that the 39b??
I had considered doors like that. Has the clearance to the binnacle been a problem?
Yeah, I hardly ever take pictures when I'm working. I just never think to.
Would you mind putting some boat info into your signature?

Chris

gadangit · Apr 17, 2020

Figuring out the rail so the water fell to the outside and with a cover that allowed removal was a challenge.
Still no lock, but I have some ideas.

KWay · Apr 17, 2020

Chris; Elusive is one of your sisters......Number 59 so she is a few months younger then yours.
So your question about the clearance to the binnacle is a very good question which took two tries
to get right with the hinge rails mounted to the companionway bulkheads. I made the first set straight
so once I mounted the doors the bottoms hit the deck about 3inches from the bulkhead (taking out way
to much clearance). So the second set of rails was cut with a 1.5degree taper which made it a lot better but
still not flush to the bulkhead. I was going to make a third set but Linda said it was good enough.........
If I find time to clean the shop up so I can get to the table saw I might make another set with a 2 degree taper
and get them flush with the bulkhead. Weather here in upstate NY has been all over the place still, so still have a lot to do
before she is splashed (Pressure wash / bottom paint and wax) We have no idea if or when the boat will go into the water
(NY has all marines closed for now)
Kent

KWay · Apr 17, 2020

Chris; It looks like you and I think the same on the slider........
Kent

gadangit · Apr 17, 2020

KWay said:
I was going to make a third set but Linda said it was good enough.........

I have been telling myself "good enough!" more and more lately.
I love your quarterberth expansion. We are hungry for more volume, but we got what we got at this point.
It is nice to see some E39 posters, it gets a little lonely...

KWay · Apr 17, 2020

Chris; The quarterberth was a major project that started out for other reasons. Due to a drunk powerboat friend of ours at the marina
decking in our cockpit while boarding our boat at night time. It was not pretty at all, but you know how bad it can be if somebody steps
into the cockpit at the Tee think they will land on the locker only to find space. The only thing that saved Bob from going to the Hospital
that night was him first hitting the wheel and breaking his fall. So the next morning Bob and me talked about the death trap and figure
out that maybe putting in short steps would fix the problem but still maintained the nice sitting area for the Helmsman.

After we finished the epoxy job on the steps I realize that we had enough space to really do a nice quarterberth. I started on the
tear out in January and had the rough in completed by the time we put the boat in the water in the spring..........
Hugh project largest one to date
I should write it as a blog.......
Kent

Tin Kicker · Apr 17, 2020

Really like the way you got rid of the four separate boards. Looks great!

KWay · Apr 17, 2020

Thanks, That is the last and only piece of wood on the outside of the boat......And it is removable from underneath so I can take it off to refinish it
when it is needed. We also have drop boards that fit between the Lexan/Strarboard rails and the interior trim.
Kent

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