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The first picture shows "MORGANCE" with just the drop boards, very heavy Lexan. They had to be removed and replaced each time you wanted to go in or out. So I built a door that is hung on take apart hinges so it can be removed at sea when the drop boards are appropriate and replaced when in port. I also added a cat door for the ships' cat "Birdie".
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So this is how it was done...
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MORGANCE has 3/8” Lexan drop boards, very heavy and almost bullet proof. I asked myself, “why do I have to lift out these heavy drop boards every time I want to go in or out of the cabin?” I thought about that and decided I wanted to build a door on the outside of the drop boards so they could remain in place for sailing, but use the door when in port. The idea blossomed into a sketch of the new door, and list of needed materials. |
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I gathered my materials together. I had to special order the bronze take apart hinges and teak inserts. I cut out the door on a table saw and used a jig saw to radius the top and cut the holes for the louvered inserts. |
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Next came a lot of sanding and shaping. I added stiffeners where appropriate and a lip at the bottom of the door to help seal out the draft. |
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I followed this with three coats of sanding sealer with a very light mahogany stain. Next I attached the teak inserts. |
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Four coats of Spar Varnish later I put it all together and hung it. |
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The door features a cat door for the ship’s cat and heavy bronze take apart hinges so it can be removed while at sea. |
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Close up of the hinge |
Exterior lock |
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Inside look |
Inside look with the port open for the ships' cat "Birdie" |
