[C320-list] Aft Cabin Access Door

[Ray Durand]

One more reason for leaving the access door alone - it's the only way to get
the fuel tank out of the boat if you have to replace it!

Ray Durand, #822

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Nolte
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 11:14 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aft Cabin Access Door

Thanks Scott for pointing out my other reason for liking that door.  
You can get into or out of the boat in a pinch (Pirates!  ;-)

On Jun 22, 2009, at 2:07 PM, Scott Thompson wrote:

> The most important use I ever made of that door was the time I  
> accidentally secured the main hatch with the wrong padlock, for  
> which the keys were all in the chart table below.  That access door  
> was my way in, although it took me a few minutes of head banging to  
> work out this option.  On second thought, maybe this is a reason to  
> close it up!
>
> Before giving it up, think about whether there could be times when  
> you want access to the steering gear without opening the lazarette.   
> Dealing with a failed or jammed steering cable in big waves and  
> storm conditions comes to mind as a possibility.  My boat probably  
> won't ever see those conditions on the Chesapeake Bay, but if I were  
> sailing offshore I'd think about this.
>
> Scott
>
>
> David Nolte wrote:
>> Hi Steve,
>> I'm always of the opinion that on a boat more access options are  
>> better. Some bodies contort better than others in certain  
>> positions. At that particular location, coming in from below has  
>> been helpful in identifying water leaks, repairing a gas leak on  
>> the propane line under the propane locker, accessing the steering  
>> cables, and probably in the future, working on my refrigeration unit.
>> I would think hard before giving it up.
>> David Nolte
>> Beach House #4
>> On Jun 22, 2009, at 11:29 AM, Wash, Steve wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> What is the purpose of the access door in the aft cabin?  I can  
>>> get to
>>> the same area through the port lazarette.
>>>
>>> I am thinking about putting my A/C return grill there (and thus not
>>> having any access through there any more).
>>>
>>> I'm also considering relocating the battery charger to expose an  
>>> area
>>> for a supply grill into the main salon.  It is on the bulkhead  
>>> between
>>> the salon and the large port lazarette.  I will 'just' move it to  
>>> the
>>> hull side of the lazarette (basically rotate it 90 degrees and  
>>> hope the
>>> cables are long enough).
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> #1029
>
> -- 
> Scott Thompson
> Surprise, #653