[C320-list] Companion way doors vs. boards- looking for options (Planning a winter project)

[Rick]

I agree with Dean that there may some confusion over the older hull  aluminum hatch guides vs newer hull chrome hatch guides. 

I ordered my Zarcor doors this year about 2 weeks after the Miami boat show. Zarcor still honored the boat show pricing because the ad had ended within a few days of when I observed the sale was a limited time offer, listed at the very bottom of their emailed special ad.. I explained that I was waiting for the discounted sale pricing, better than the normal discount.  Request Zarcor sale email notifications if you are contemplating doors over the late fall or winter. All doors are custom cut and you may be waiting several weeks for delivery and that may be why the discount is offered to ramp up sales/production schedules that is also to your benefit. 

I have an early model 320 and discovered that my companionway is not at all symmetrical and as a consequence my measurements did not match other vintage early Mk1 hulls on file from Zarcor. That is not unusual for some hulls to  vary depending when the hull/liner left the mold (that is why Catalina asks for the older model teak hatch boards to be sent to them before making a new set).

I did have to make a few mods to the Zarcor doors as a result of my companionway variations, but nothing that an orbital sander could not handle which the Zarcor installation DVD alludes to in their directions. I chose to provide measures that ensured a larger, not a smaller measurement so I could make the necessary adjustments rather than run short. For hulls beyond the vintage 320 model where production quirks seem to have been resolved, I would not hesitate to use the Zarcor history of measurements as a starting point for any hulls near your production number. If you consider checking with Zarcor on their history of hull #s, check to learn if your hull varies all that much from the Zarcor history file.  Just a word of caution, if you have worn teak hatch boards be aware that the boards may sit lower in the hatch guides and a tracing of the older work hatch boards may reflect that lower profile; in that case, I would rely upon the Zarcor measurement file for hulls closer to your hull #.  Also, consider having a conversation with Zarcor if you have any questions. Their customer service is very timely & responsive.
Rick
95 320 hull #277

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dean Vermeire
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2016 9:22 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Companion way doors vs. boards- looking for options (Planning a winter project)

The only reference I found on their web site is the line on the order form for a deposit on stainless steel hatch guides, which says only for MK II Catalinas.  From that, I'd guess the doors are still available for a MK I, but they don't have stainless hatch guides to exchange.  So, the purchaser could possibly send the hatch guides to Zarcor to have the hinges mounted, or the purchaser could drill the guides and mount the hinges.

If anyone is interested, I still have the original hatch guides that I replaced when installing the Zarcor doors on hull #847.  Let me know if you need them.

Dean Vermeire
Moonstruck II (#847)

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Chris Burti
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2016 8:04 AM
To: 320
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Companion way doors vs. boards- looking for options (Planning a winter project)

The last time I checked on prices from Zarcor, the website said that they were no longer making them for the Mk I series 320...not sure why, but if you are a Mk I Owner, check carefully on that question.

CB,Commitment, #867

Chris Burti
Farmville, NC


On Mon, Jul 18, 2016 at 8:24 AM, Dean Vermeire <dean at vermeire.us> wrote:

> I agree with Rick.
>
> We bought the Zarcor doors without the extra inserts, since we mostly 
> are in our slip with the Air Conditioner running when not out sailing.
> I also use the hatch boards when away from the boat for any length of time.
>
> The Zarcor doors really are nice.
> Dean
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On 
> Behalf Of Rick
> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2016 7:14 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Companion way doors vs. boards- looking for 
> options (Planning a winter project)
>
> Scott,
> Zarcor doors is the way to go for convenience and ownership value. 
> Look for boat show specials or contact Zarcor directly to learn when 
> the sale prices are available. Recommend the various inserts and the 
> pouch to store the doors and inserts. We still use the hatch boards 
> when away from the boat for more than a day away and winter storage.
> The doors are easily removed when sailing. So much more convenient at dock side or at anchor.
> Only regret is not having installed the doors earlier. Kind of like 
> heat/ac installation or portable generators, enhances the enjoyment of 
> our total boat investment.
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On 
> Behalf Of Scott Westwood
> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2016 10:12 AM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Companion way doors vs. boards- looking for 
> options (Planning a winter project)
>
>  Does anybody have pics of how they built/replaced the 3 boards with 
> doors?  I see some pics on the website of final results but not how-to's.
> Looks simple enough but I'm lazy and want to plagiarize and not 
> re-invent the wheel.
> Thanks,
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C
> (919)-618-7185
>
>
>