Companionway slider

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   The port rail (the one most directly in the sun) for the companionway sliding hatch is severely cracked and needs replacement or serious repair.  Does anyone know where a replacement for this can be found?
It appears to be some sort of black plastic.  I am considering repair with epoxy and fiberglass, but would prefer to just buy a new one.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Companionway slider Posted: 30 March 2004 at 12:14am
	The port rail (the one most directly in the sun) for the companionway sliding hatch is severely cracked and needs replacement or serious repair. Does anyone know where a replacement for this can be found? It appears to be some sort of black plastic. I am considering repair with epoxy and fiberglass, but would prefer to just buy a new one.

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 March 2004 at 5:48pm
	Can't remember if was UHMW or HDPE but its a plastic that we put on the table saw and then routered the edges. These parts were custom made at Laser so it's not something you'll find on the shelf anywhere. A woodshop could make it for you easily. You'll need to find the plastic somewhere though. Goodluck

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 March 2004 at 12:33am
	Thank you, Bill. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but now I know.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 March 2004 at 10:56pm
	By the way, where can I pick up a suitable piece of UHMW? What is UHMW?

Foghorn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 24 August 2002 Location: Montreal, QC Status: Offline Points: 120	Post Options Post Reply Quote Foghorn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 March 2004 at 11:19pm
	UHMW = Ultra High Molecular Weight HDPE = High Density Poly Ethylene Hope this helps Cheers,
	Paul White Decompression CAN 214

jez rees Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rookie Joined: 25 June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote jez rees Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 December 2011 at 11:59am
	Just wondered if anyone had found a source of the companionway slider rails? I don't think they're PE on FarrOut, so probably UHMW. Anyway, they look kind of expensive to have machined as a one-off with the angled base and internal grooves. We really need to replace these this winter. Has anyone else had the same problem?

frfletch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 13 May 2008 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote frfletch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 December 2011 at 2:34am
	Not difficult. Use UHMPE 3/4" thick by 1" wide. You can buy it by the sheet and rip it. Some of the shops call this MARINE HMPE and it is more UV resistant. We got ours at Industrial Paints and Plastics in BC, but it is not hard to find. Just note the angle of the slot when you set up the table saw. Buy some extra and make a sample to make sure the blade angle is correct to match the flange/lip on the hatch. Next, the table saw makes too much of a gradual finish which will cause the hatch to pry the slides apart and break. This can easily be solved either by finishing the last of the cut with a router or a small cutter on a Dremel, or use the table saw and cut the slot all the way through, then drill and put a screw through the slot to act as a solid stop for the hatch. No problem either way. You can then easy the corners with a planer so that the external edges are not sharp.

jez rees Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rookie Joined: 25 June 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote jez rees Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 December 2011 at 4:04am
	Thanks frfletch. I'll give it a go!

Virginia H. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 03 March 2012 Location: Hampton, Va Status: Offline Points: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote Virginia H. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 November 2012 at 10:44pm
	How do you keep water from coming under the companionway hatch and the deck?

frfletch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 13 May 2008 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote frfletch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 November 2012 at 10:58am
	When you remove the sliders and take off the companionway hatch, you will find the answer. On the deck under the front edge of the companionway hatch (front when it is in the closed position) there is a weather-seal glued to the deck that makes contact with the underside of the hatch. Since these are not subject to UV, they don't break down and it is likely that yours is in a useable condition. If not, it is not difficult to find a similar material to replace it. Just be sure that when you make your new sliders that you do not use a real thick material that results in your hatch being higher than it is, which would raise it until it was not in contact with the weather seal and allow water in. The correct thickness of the UHMPE from which to cut the slider is 3/4" thick, which sets the height, and 1" wide.

Virginia H. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 03 March 2012 Location: Hampton, Va Status: Offline Points: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote Virginia H. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 December 2013 at 9:53pm
	When I removed the companionway hatch the rubber seal is missing. Any ideas on what the shape should look like and where I could buy it?

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 December 2013 at 10:53pm
	It was a self adhesive piece of carpet strip that was glued on the underside of the hatch in the position that when fully closed, the carpet strip is positioned just behind the water trough groove in the deck.... so that any water that gets thru goes into the groove. Should be able to find something at home hardware stores. Edited by Bill Layton - 14 December 2013 at 10:54pm