Door Latches

[Rick Johnson]

The cabin and head doors needed some way to hold them open.  I tried a latch at the base of the head door, but then I was always bending to unlatch the door.  A pain in my old back!  I finally decided to mount some latches on the overhead and see how that would work.  After a week, I'd say I'm pleased with how they work. 

[wind dancer]

Looks nice, but I'd be worried about losing an eye in rough weather.

[Rick Johnson]

My eyes clear the bracket, but I have managed to bash the top of my head once.  They are actually out of the way and make a good handhold.  Of course, I may change my mind once she is back in an ocean instead of a lake.  I did use 4200 instead of 5200, just in case...

Cheers,

Rick

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Of the "few" modifications that I've made to my C34 in the past 20 years; the overhead door latches was the FIRST one!!!  I did that for the aft cabin and head doors.  The latched OPEN doors allow for ventilation!! 
My latches only extend down about 1 inch and are completely out of the way.  I'm sure that there may even be magnetic latches out there that weren't there in 1989!!     

[canuck]

On my 2004 MKII, I installed a simple hook on to the left side of the navigation bulkhead looking aft and then screwed a simple eye on the the head door at mid level but clearing the door handle. I also put another eye on the side of the chart table, so this one hook either keeps the door open or I can have it keep the nav chart desk in the vertical position when required.

I used a similar scenario for the aft cabin door as well as for the top engine cover when checking oil et cetera.

I showed these to Gerry Douglas 4 years ago at a Catalina rendezvous and asked why the factory doesn't do minor niceties such as these. He replied he would rather put the time into constructinga solid boat and leave the putterring to all the owners. One C 42 owner was not pleased that our 34 came with a secure anchor locker latch whereas his had no latch at all. Heh Heh!

[Joe and Carol]

The static position for our doors is closed.  When wishing to secure them open, we fashioned short elastic cords, with small stainless hooks.  For the quarter berth, around the door handle and to the stove rail.  For the head, around the door handle and into the hinge of the navigation cabinet.  Works well.  I don't know if it is snug invention or laziness but I would rather lash than drill holes anywhere.  Hurry Spring!

[Stu Jackson]

There have been many writeups of these ideas over the years.  We keep the head door open with a loop of shock cord held into the face of the navigation station which twists around the door handle.  The aft cabin door has a short shock cord with a hook to the edge of the stove.

[Ken Juul]

We use a nylon fitting by Perko, available at WM for about $9.  Fits close to the ceiling so it doesn't get in the way.  See picture below.


As it is normally just the Admiral and I, we removed the bifold doors for the Vee berth and the aft cabin door.  Much easier to move about the cabin, better air flow and the bifolds don't slam in rough weather.  If we do have company, it is easy to rig a curtain using a window curtain compression rod.

[Susan Ray]

This magnetic latch works good at the slip. I glued it with 2 part epoxy.

[Mark Elkin]

Just late to this party.  Took these pictures at the boat this weekend.  Just sharing, though, because work was done by PO, so I cannot claim credit.

[Craig Illman]

Ken - with your Perko fittings, on the aft cabin door, did you need to put anything between the base and the ceiling? Does it work ok following the angle of the ceiling? Just want to make sure before drilling yet more holes in the boat......

Craig

[Ken Juul]

I don't remember, the PO installed them.  I'll check for you when I'm at the boat tomorrow.  Might be Sunday night before I'm back at a computer.

[Stu Jackson]

Our high tech solution:

[Ken Juul]

Installation of the Perko Latch.  Used on the aft cabin door also.

[Craig Illman]

Thanks Ken!!