Hi, I recall seeing some information on the website a whle ago for making some hatch board stowage bags for the Companionway but I havn'e been able to find it again. Does anyone have any instructions, patterns or pictures of these and how best to attach them to the companionway. C34 Mk 1 number 1257. Thanks
John -
Here are some for sale...
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&cart=11346926091133211&group=302
Mike
John-
If you find or think of any ideas on this let me know, I'm itching for a sewing project to work my machine and winter blues out on. The bag alone doesn't cut it....I'd like to combine the bag and the storage solution into one idea. I'm good at making patterns if I have a concept to work with. I also have a mk1
I am not sure if you guys have seen the hatch storage "box" in the MKll's. It really works well. A shallow wood box with a permanent bungee cord mounted on the port side of the companionway next to the steps. It holds all three hatch boards out of the way but handy when you need them. Will take pictures of mine if you are interested.
Jack
I'd like to see them!
Mike
I bought my bag 2 years ago from Helm Seat where I also purchased a helm seat.
I love both:
http://www.helmseat.com/CanvasProducts.htm
John : If you'll look in projects you'll see that I store my 2 (MKI) hatch boards inside the port cockpit lazerette.
It was my 1st Mate that came up with the idea. They are stored vertically and readily available at a moments notice to put back in place. They take up space that is otherwise unused!! I used old pillow cases to slide the teak boards into, before storage.
That writeup with a picture is also in the Mainsheet Tech Notes. A thought.
Mike,
I will go down to the boat tomorrow and take a picture for you. Hope I can figure out how to post pictures to the site.
Jack
The Sunbrella sleeve looks like a good winter project, but the boat (Bitterroot) is in Anacortes, and I'm in Missoula, Montana! Could someone with a MKI give me a measurement on the length and width of the top board? Thanks much. Hank Busey (hwbusey@montana.com)
I just completed re-finishing mine, so they're leaning here by the couch! 36 1/2 x 11 5/8
Where is your boat at Anacortes? I just moved mine up to Anacortes Marina the first of December.
Craig
Hank -- It may be worthwhile to check the request for identification here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?topic=1506.0
The hatch board measurements would most likely be different for Mark I & II boats. Please help out by identifying your boat in your posts and using a signature. Thanks.
Mike,
Here are the pictures of the hatch board storage in my MKll. Sorry it took so long to get around to it. Have been having to deal with contractors repairing my house. We had a 2' diameter tree come into the living room during the last storm with 70 mph winds.
It basically has two sides with a bottom that has a shallow lip. There is a permanent bungee across the top and a plastic protection panel in the back. It mounts from the back side inside the head. Very convient and easy to use.
Jack
Additional hatch board storage picture.
Hey Jack -
Thanks for the pictures!
Mike
You will notice in Jack's second picture that the hatch to the engine below is NOT the full width of the distance between the sides of the head and the aft cabin. This allows a "shelf" to place the hatch-boards, with whatever method used to attach them (i.e., Vic's canvas with shock cord or Jack's "holder"). The Mark Is (at least the earlier ones) have the engine hatch going all the way across, and the distance between the edge of the companionway steps and the walls on each side is significantly smaller, almost precluding putting the two Mark I hatch-boards on one side. Our hatch is held, when up, by a spring holder per a Tech Notes suggestion, so I'm sure it goes all the way across.
Thanks for all the feedback, its been great.
Stu is right we have a Mark 1 and the top of our engine cover is the full width, so the stowage must be removable.
Also the width between the companion way sides and steps is quite narrow, which means we may need to store the boards one on either side. We have tried placing both the boards on one side, they fit byt the latch jams them in and ends up scratching the boards.
The helmsseat stowage bags looked great , but appear to be narrow and made for 3 boards, we only have 2 boards so the bags would need to be wider.
I will get the sizes of the boards and post these.
Another handy idea for the companionway we have found is to mount a small sewn pocket on the side near the top. We use it to hold the remote for the CD/DVD player so you can adjust the volume from the cockpit or inside, its always easy to reach . It could also be used to keep mobile phones handy to the cockpit.
Catatonic C34 Mark1 Number 1257