[C320-list] Companion way hatch-is NOT acrylic

[Richard Walker]

Yes, that works very well. When I went to buy it about 10 years ago you had to buy a long piece of it. I’m quite sure that was the original equipment on the earlier boats 
Dick Walker

> On Oct 29, 2024, at 10:49, bruceheyman via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
>  Hi Jack,On the sliding surfaces of our companion way I used Nylo-Tape Friction-Free Drawer Slide Tape.  It really made it much easier to slide open and close.  In your case I think it would do good to protect the finish you've applied to the plywood.Very best,
> Brucehttps://www.rockler.com/nylo-tape-friction-free-drawer-slide-tape?country=US&promo=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla_with_promotion&utm_campaign=PL&utm_campaign=18291976996&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=18291976996||&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj4K5BhDYARIsAD1Ly2o9Igz5543W3nq8AIV1J7_N4G0tTsM1MHuY9ykEz_GUAzYtb1oEyL8aAgE4EALw_wcB
>    On Monday, October 28, 2024 at 08:30:44 PM PDT, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
> 
> So here is what I ended up doing.
> 
> Starboard is too flexible and light for my purposes with the sliding hatch. It just didn't feel secure when I stepped on it. I think it would be shot after a couple of seasons. (I have a large bimini, and working the main requires me to step on the hatch.)
> 
> I thought once again about plexiglass/acrylic, but came to the same conclusion. I read that half-inch acrylic can handle 40 pounds a square foot, which is way less than me stepping on it. I concluded my weight is what caused the crack.
> 
> Lexan is out of the picture due to cost, and also because it's not great with UV tolerance. I didn't want to be buying a new hatch every couple of years.
> 
> I ended up going to a great little lumber yard near my house. They sold me a nice-looking, custom-cut piece of half-inch marine plywood. I tested it on the boat today, and it was rock solid.
> 
> I sanded it later on, and the third coat of West epoxy is going on in a while. The plywood sucked the resin right up. Tomorrow, I'll wipe it with acetone, sand again and apply a couple of coats of white marine paint, then install it on the boat after it hardens for a day.
> 
> This will reduce the temperature in the cabin because I won't have light shining in all day, which is a big problem in Florida.
> 
> A smaller problem is that I need a way to keep the hatch from sliding all of the way out. Catalina or someone attached a small piece of wood to the rear of the original hatch, then sealed the hood with 4200 or something similar, making it unremoveable.
> 
> I'm thinking of an L-shaped bracket that I can flip downward so it catches the lip of the hood. It would be screwed to the bottom of the sliding hatch. That makes it easily removeable if I need to remove the hatch for some reason.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
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