Door in Settee back

[Jim Picerno]

At some point I need to inspect the tie rods which will require removing the bungs and screws from the settee backs. I was wondering if anyone has put a door in the settee backs? If you did could you post a photo? Thanks.

 

[Loren Beach]

I have not created an "opening", but several decades ago I did remove both of the teak (veneer) backs. I removed the factory plugs and then the screws. At the time I was bleaching and varnishing the teak.
I recall the thought process that since those panels are normally covered (94%) by the cushion backs, there was never a reason to put plugs over those ss screws in the first place.
Lucky me, no prior deck seeps or leaks had ever caused a corrosion problem where the big ol' Navtec rods were threaded into pieces of aluminum round bar. It was a relief to confirm the present condition and to admire the strong FRP engineering that anchored the high shroud loads. It further confirmed our decision to buy an EY-constructed boat.

Further, you might find that creating a third opening, similar to the sizing of the present two, will satisfy you need for inspection and no door/cover will be needed.

 

[Jim Picerno]

I have not created an "opening", but several decades ago I did remove both of the teak (veneer) backs. I removed the factory plugs and then the screws. At the time I was bleaching and varnishing the teak.
I recall the thought process that since those panels are normally covered (94%) by the cushion backs, there was never a reason to put plugs over those ss screws in the first place.
Lucky me, no prior deck seeps or leaks had ever caused a corrosion problem where the big ol' Navtec rods were threaded into pieces of aluminum round bar. It was a relief to confirm the present condition and to admire the strong FRP engineering that anchored the high shroud loads. It further confirmed our decision to buy an EY-constructed boat.

Further, you might find that creating a third opening, similar to the sizing of the present two, will satisfy you need for inspection and no door/cover will be needed.

Thanks Loren for your response. Creating a third opening is a good idea. Inspection of the tie rods is one reason for my request, but I seem to recall one of Christian's videos where he was storing tools in cupboards behind the settee. His boat, is an earlier model with a slightly different layout, but it would be nice to utilize that space for storage if it were possible.

 

[toddster]

Looks like you already have two openings, so adding another would blend right in?
My boat was is a bit different, with a fiberglass liner covering everything. I eventually had to cut lots of holes to access hardware, but yes, I did put doors in the settee backs. https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/small-aliquots-of-progress-stbd-side-stowage-part-1.639/

I messed them up a bit by first making them with a friction latch and finger pulls cut along the opening edge, then changing my mind and adding push-button latches. I also made them perhaps heavier than strictly necessary because I figured they could get a lot of weight applied to them.
Eventually I made simple box cushions to hang on them, instead of a large more standard back rest. The hanging loops haven't worked out too well - doors won't close properly. Will switch to velcro one of these days. Or the next owner will. The cushions get used almost more as throw-pillows than as back rests.

If I did it again, I would radius all of the corners. I guess it seemed like too much of a technical challenge at the time, but it's really not that hard.

This month I've finally arrived at the point where, for similar reasons, I have to cut an access port into the deck of my new boat! I'll install a pre-made deck plate and make it into a hawse for the stern anchor rode. Which reminds me that I did originally put a couple of screw-in deck plates in Arcturus' settee backs, b/c I thought they might be water tight compartments. But they are not.

 

[southofvictor]

sweet curtains @toddster !

 

[toddster]

sweet curtains @toddster !

They're made from a cheap shower curtain from Amazon. Hundreds of designs to choose from. It's been more than five seven years and no mold or fading.