Washboards
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:51 am
I have been meaning to post this for a while but had to get a final pic of my new front door. As part of my refurbishment I replaced the thin ply two part washboards on Spritzig II. There was nothing wrong with them other than I had let the varnish go for a few seasons as I knew they were going to be replaced. The main reason as discussed on the forum before is that they really are inadequate strength wise to stop a large wave breaking over the rear of the boat from entering the cabin . In a worse case they would simply buckle and be useless. Also the shallow groove cut into the trim that locates the board is anemic both from a safety and security point. Using my renovator tool I carefully cut around the existing timber trim leaving the front quarter round section but trimming away the area behind the groove. I them bolted with very fine counter sunk SS bolts 10mm square aluminium channel up against the old quarter round trim part.
The hatch was made from 12 mm eco ply I had left over from a job at work with a 2mm rebate taken from the back to fit the channel and finished in decking oil as per the handrail thread . All in all a much more confidence building front door and I'm now sure water in the cockpit will be going out not into the cabin. It is also strong enough to keep out honest people out on the mooring I have also made a half height piece to be used when in semi rough weather but I somehow think that if the seas were bad enough to have boards in I would want the full height one in place. My wife can hand me anything I need through the top slide hatch. The half height is mainly for camping with an insect mesh infill above. Next I will post a few pics of my new front hatch treatment , not quite finished as yet as I have been too busy sailing.
The final one piece door fits neatly (just ) in the port cockpit locker
The bottom aluminium channel has several holes placed to drain water away. So Far my plastic hawk has been a smashing success in keeping bird poop off the cockpit area. A Bunnys garden accessory.
The hatch was made from 12 mm eco ply I had left over from a job at work with a 2mm rebate taken from the back to fit the channel and finished in decking oil as per the handrail thread . All in all a much more confidence building front door and I'm now sure water in the cockpit will be going out not into the cabin. It is also strong enough to keep out honest people out on the mooring I have also made a half height piece to be used when in semi rough weather but I somehow think that if the seas were bad enough to have boards in I would want the full height one in place. My wife can hand me anything I need through the top slide hatch. The half height is mainly for camping with an insect mesh infill above. Next I will post a few pics of my new front hatch treatment , not quite finished as yet as I have been too busy sailing.
The final one piece door fits neatly (just ) in the port cockpit locker
The bottom aluminium channel has several holes placed to drain water away. So Far my plastic hawk has been a smashing success in keeping bird poop off the cockpit area. A Bunnys garden accessory.