Companionway Doors
One of the features that we really liked on my folks Catalina 36, were the teak companionway doors that they had made. While at the Seattle boat show this winter, we ran into the same gentleman who made those doors and asked him to make some for Legacy.
He has a website at Cruising Concepts and does nice work in teak for all kinds of projects. He isn’t cheap, and he isn’t fast, but I like everything that I’ve seen him do.
The Catalina 400 comes with the typical teak companionway boards. While these are a great for using when out in heavy seas, they aren’t the most convenient for coastal cruising. Catalina provides a handy shelf in the cabin for the boards, but that is space that we would like to use for other things. So the answer was to install some hinged companionway doors that could be left in place, or removed if you like.
My woodworking skills are not that good. Well, most of my skills aren’t that good. So while the installation is not that difficult, it did take me a few hours, which was a couple hours longer than it should have. During the installation, you do have to use a sanding block to adjust the fit of the doors for your own boat. If I can do it, anyone can.
I was pleased with the way they turned out. We opted for teak doors with screens and removable plexiglass windows. Rather than varnish, I elected to just oil the doors.
From outside, doors closed. Notice how you can’t see into the cabin, but just see reflections on the windows.
Outside, doors open.
Inside cabin, doors closed. Notice how well you can see through the dark plexiglass.
Posted by David Hays
