Companionway slider
Printed From: Laser 28 International Class Association
Category: Laser 28 General
Forum Name: Maintenance
Forum Description: All the things to care for your boat
URL: http://www.laser28.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66
Printed Date: 28 April 2024 at 3:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Companionway slider
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Companionway slider
Date Posted: 30 March 2004 at 12:14am
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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.
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Replies:
Posted By: Bill Layton
Date Posted: 30 March 2004 at 5:48pm
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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 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 31 March 2004 at 12:33am
| Thank you, Bill. Not exactly what I had hoped for, but now I know. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 31 March 2004 at 10:56pm
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By the way, where can I pick up a suitable piece of UHMW? What is UHMW? |
Posted By: Foghorn
Date Posted: 31 March 2004 at 11:19pm
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UHMW = Ultra High Molecular Weight HDPE = High Density Poly Ethylene Hope this helps Cheers,
------------- Paul White Decompression CAN 214 |
Posted By: jez rees
Date Posted: 05 December 2011 at 11:59am
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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? 
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Posted By: frfletch
Date 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. |
Posted By: jez rees
Date Posted: 07 December 2011 at 4:04am
| Thanks frfletch. I'll give it a go! |
Posted By: Virginia H.
Date Posted: 02 November 2012 at 10:44pm
| How do you keep water from coming under the companionway hatch and the deck? |
Posted By: frfletch
Date 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. |
Posted By: Virginia H.
Date 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? |
Posted By: Bill Layton
Date 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. |