Cuddy Door Help

[makoshark]

I am look at purchasing an old v20 thats missing a cuddy door, was wondering if anyone has a good link to purchase a replacement, or if any has specs/measurments on their door so that I could fabricate one myself. Thanks!
makoshark

[macojoe]

there are many here that could give you the mesurments!!
I would build one out of Starboard and never worry again if it was I.

[msbhammer]

I seen a few cuddy doors listed on E-Bay, but if they need replacing, go with Starboard.

[Skools Out]

I've built one out of Cedar it looked great and held up great. Weathers just like Teak but much cheaper. Had it on a Chaparral i had

[Stinky_Hooker]

Mine was gone as well, I will build it out of starboard....

[shicks007]

Cuddy door, I didn't know they came with a cuddy door ;). Just kidding, Mine doesn't have one either.

[macojoe]

in the 70's they did not put them in so I will never have one in my boat

[Zebra]

I had one made out of canvas with snaps. Pros: its wider opening without the door taking up space. dont have to hook it back when you want it open. Clean looking I have pics in my gallery. Cons: i guess secure thing. there is no lock but hell the way i figure if there gonna break in , there gonna f up the door anyway. A lock on a door if they want in aint gonna stop anybody. Slow down maybe... Your call . I like starboard too...

[Geekie1]

Hi Mako,

I have made hatches and doors to replace teak ones using ipe wood. Ipe is also called ironwood and comes from South America. Ipe is like teak however it is so dense it will not float and not burn and it is heavier than teak. It is so tough that the boardwalk in Atlantic City NJ is now using ipe instead of pressure treated lumber for the replacement decking. Most of it is darker in color than teak, however, if you can find a lumber yard that has it and lets you pick through their stock, you will find ipe boards that are lighter in color and the lighter color ipe is a dead ringer for teak. It has very few knots and the same grain patterns and it fades to silver grey like teak if it is left unfinished. Another good thing about ipe is that it is about one third the price of teak or about 15 percent more expensive than western red cedar. This wood is very tough and is hard on saw blades and router bits and if you don't have powerful woodworking tools forget about it. Also, it is oily like teak so you need to clean a glue-up joint with acetone so the glue will penetrate. One of the reasons I like my V20 so much is the classic lines of the boat, its performance in rough weather and the teak. I don't like the total tupperware boats much and keeping the wood looking good isn't a big deal for me, especially since I am a woodworker with a fairly complete shop. I am thinking of making a helmsmans seat with storage under it using starboard or mdo plywood with ipe trim.

[reelapeelin]

Geekie...thanks for the tip on IPE...new to me...as hard as it is, does it NEED a finish on it at all??...

''Total tupperware''...love it ;) ;D ;D ;D...

[Geekie1]

Ipe doesn't need a finish at all. It will just weather to a silver gray. It doesn't rot even when submerged for long periods of time. It's a tough heavy wood and it is tough on tools!!! Google "IPE" wood. There are some good articles on it and where you can buy it. If I had to replace stringers on a boat, I would consider using it. It might increase the weight of the boat too much but it won't rot!!

[scook]

Yeah, with IPE, the key is going to be in the hand picking. I ordered in a pile of it for outdoor landings and stair treads and was really looking forward to using it. What I got was such a pile of crap (grain all dug up from going through the planner, etc.) that I took it all back - nearly got a hernia loading it back in the truck.

It does sound like it would be nice for trimming the boat - I've got a bunch of that to do (unless I go tupperware). Need to find a stocking dealer.

M-shark, I believe MJ did a bunch of Starboard stuff on his boat and I think he mentioned predrilling the screw holes. I've never worked with the stuff, but for predrilling in general, you want to use a drill bit that's as close as possible to the size of the "shank" of the screw (i.e. just the threads sticking out to bite into the material), to avoid splitting. Also, be careful about overtightening - set your screw gun clutch light and check/finish tighten by hand to avoid stripping them out.

G-1, How bad is the IPE on carbide bits and blades?

Thanks - Scott

[macojoe]

the screw holes are like 1 or 2 sizes smaller in starboard.
Worked out great!! you can see all starboard work here:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album09

[scook]

MJ - That is a nice lookin' tackel box - I like how you made it work for the plastic boxes, so you can set up for different fishing and just stick in the boxes you want for that trip - I need to do something like that.

[macojoe]

CB came over and helped me with it. we had fun doing it, and made some mistakes, but now we know how the next one will be built.
Cb might want to make one when he picks up a boat he likes.
It does make things nice!! I have all my tackle right were I can get it and no tackel boxes on the deck to fool around with or forget to latch cloased so when you pick them up all the stuff lands on the deck!! :o

And that thing holds a ton of sinkers!! I am very happy with it!

[Geekie1]

Hi Oregon V20,

Planing IPE is alot like planing hard maple only worse. Your planer will gouge the face of the board wherever the the grain is figured. As I mentioned, you need good, powerful power tools with sharp blades. Since you are in Oregon, I can't direct you to a lumberyard that stocks IPE. I have a local supplier about 10 miles from my home in PA, and I can hand pick my stock. IPE is getting to be a very popular wood for decking and there should be a lumberyard in your vicinity that stocks it. There was a website for finding hardwoods and wood in general in all locals of the US called "Woodfinder" or something like that, that used your zip code for the search. I will try to find the URL and post it.

Ed G.

[Geekie1]

That would be:

www.woodfinder.com

Ed G.