ideas for access door on bow cuddy center console

[gameover]

I have started some improvements/ upgrades to my 1999 sea vee with a single cummins 370b diesel.

I should post some pictures of what i have and will

The boat has been great but on thing that really bothers me is the door going down to the bow cuddy, is mad of this cheap molded glass/ plastic sht that has not held up.

I'm looking for a solution... thats rugged, water tight . and looks quality and well thought out.

last year I made a pretty nice electronics box for my other boat and it turned out pretty sweet. that was my first real fiberglass work.

If anyone has any ideas or pics of a sweet set up, please share,

Taylor

[gameover]

here a few shots of the boat.
Taylor

[Flatdog]

If it was me I would have one made in teak, you might get lucky and find the size is the same as a lot of "blow" boat hatches something like this will let a little light in also.
http://woodworkingforwatercraft.com/...2333150318.jpg

[SNAKE EYES SPORTFISHING]

you could also make one out of starboard and trim with teak,make it 1 piece so it doesnt have to fold , get the propper rollers and make it slide from side to side. with the proper trim it will be waterproof.

[wide open]

nice rig...I would not use starboard. as well as it works that boat and the rest of the hardware is just too nice. i would use a lexan or custome fibreglass

[ElMar2530]

I made this one for my old boat, slid out kind of like a sailboat companion way hatch and stowed down below when we were fishing so the door would not slide or band around. Used Teak, Mohaghany, Maple and Black Walnut.

Your boat is of a different caliber so I would suggest something made out of fiberglass or starboard maybe.

[Storm]

One of the downsides of seaboard or starboard is that both materials stain easily and the stains are next to impossible to remove. I like the idea of using 1/4" smoked lexan or black acrylic as an inset panel in a wood or plastic frame. A black seaboard frame wouldn't show the stains.

I made the companionway door on my boat from varnished mahogony stiles and pre-laminated plywood.

Last winter I built cabinet doors for the galley using cherry stiles w/ teak and holly plywood inset panels. I covered the reverse side of the plywood panels with white laminate.

I also built a cherry louvered door w/ crowned top for the crash bulkhead.

If you decide to go with fiberglass panels, McMaster-Carr sells a variety of pre-made fiberglass panels of different sizes. They are a bit pricey but real time savers. I've done a few projects with these panels and usually paint them with two-part polyurethane paint after a good sanding with 80 grit paper. Again, I would probably opt for 1/4" or 3/16" inset panels with a wood frame.

One of the easiest and least expensive routes would be to make inset panels from plywood and plastic laminate such as Formica with hardwood stiles (mahogony, white oak, ash).

Just a few ideas. I still like the idea of a black acrylic door best. The stuff is bulletproof, would allow some light into the focsle, cleans easily, and would be a good contrast to the white. If need be, it also bends well with moderate heat.

[SNAKE EYES SPORTFISHING]

you guys are the best, i wasm't aware that starboard stained so badly..thanks

[gameover]

Thanks guys,
I think that I'm gonna make it out of some nice plywood and glass it. I want something sleek and easy to clean

I will keep you posted.

Taylor