Hunter 450 Owner Modifications and Upgrades

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Companionway Doors

posted 06-01-2016 by dehler25


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Modified companionway access with doors open. Almost finished project!

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I had become weary of using the hatch boards when down below and wanting to close the companionway. Put them in then take them out, then repeat. Manufactured doors were rather expensive, nice, but expensive. I found a very good price on 3/4 Starboard, cut, milled, and shaped to accept 1/4 bronze Acrylite sheet, attached pull apart hinges and an interior barrel bolt. Update.........Barrel bolt does not do what I wanted so trying a different approach. Cost was about $140.00 for the materials compared to over a thousand for manufactured units. They are not for security as they could be forced open with effort so the original hatch boards are used when a secure closure is desired leaving the doors in place. There is space between the U channel for the hatch boards and the doors to maintain the lock, The pull apart hinges allow the instant removal of the doors if desired. I didnt see the need for screens as the whole sliding hatch can be screened and the smaller windows would not add much, but if wanted it would be easy to make screen inserts to replace the windows as the windows load from the top of the doors.

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