rod box replacement doors?

[macojoe]

I don't use anything longer the 7 feet in a boat, they will fit in the cuddy just fine. Lock the cuddy door, it just keeps honest people honest, the scum no care what they have to do if they want them they are going to take them!!

[nipper]

I really like those doors. I have been mulling over what to do with my 91 Cuddy. I do not fish much, so I took the rod boxes (which were in pretty bad shape) out and lined the inner portion of the gunwales with indoor outdoor carpet as a first step. I had finally decided I was going to have a snap on "curtain" made for each opening out of material which would match my bimini top. You would not believe how much storage space there is once the rod boxes are taken out. Plenty for skis, ski vests, the smaller of my two anchors, fenders, etc. I do not know now though, I might just make something like this out of, oh heck, what is it called--starboard? You think I could go with 1/4" or should I go 1/2"?

[reelapeelin]

1/4" if you hinge from the top...that'll be a large door and I wouldn't think 1/4" would support itself hinged from the sides...personally, I like the canvas idea better...whatever ya do, say it w/pictures!!...

[macojoe]

I agree canvas better! Them big doors, when they open they going to take a lot of room, trying to get skis and stuff out holding the doors open going to be tuff, stick with what you got, sounds so simple and sometimes simple is best!

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by macojoe

I agree canvas better! Them big doors, when they open they going to take a lot of room, trying to get skis and stuff out holding the doors open going to be tuff, stick with what you got, sounds so simple and sometimes simple is best!

Just thought of somethin' while readin' MJ's post...is there room forward of the doors to make them sliders?...U-shaped alum channel makes excellent slide-rails for starboard...I made a sliding door between dual consoles in another guy's boat years ago and it worked out great...if there is clear space ahead of those openings, the rails would have to run the entire length open to close and all screws counter-sunk inside rail, but it'd be a nice job when finished and take no space to open...just a thought...

[nipper]

Good thought Reel. I had initially thought of sliders, but I wasn't sure whether to fasten them inside or outside the opening. If outside, there is plenty of space forward of the doors for them to slide open. If inside, the fuel fill hose would be problematic on the starboard side of the boat.

The hinged doors in the picture appear to have only been covering about 1/2 of the opening, so the doors would not be all that heavy. All in all though, I think the canvas would be simple, relatively inexpensive, would never rattle and would look pretty nice matching the bimini top.

Ok, having convinced myself (probably) to go with the canvas, any thoughts of trimming out the opening with starboard or teak and then attaching the canvas curtain to that, or would you just go with the canvas curtain right into the gunwale an inch or two outside of the opening?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by nipper

Ok, having convinced myself (probably) to go with the canvas, any thoughts of trimming out the opening with starboard or teak and then attaching the canvas curtain to that, or would you just go with the canvas curtain right into the gunwale an inch or two outside of the opening?

Thought about that...only problem w/goin' directly to the gunwale is water intrusion...not that there should be much in terms of boat use, but more in terms of major intrusion as well as smaller amounts over time...I don't know how you've sealed the insides of the openings...for instance, can water get past the carpeting you've laid in?...if so, and there is a major intrusion (ask MJ), will water find it's way inside the hull?...if what you've done keeps water outta the hull, then snap it directly to the gunwale...