MacGregorSailors.com

Where do you store your 26M companionway hatch when you're underway?
I put mine behind the galley, but I'm looking for a better location.

I have a 50 l Waeco refrigerator in the aft berth behind the starboard dinette seat (where the factory cushion cut-out is located). The hatch fits nicely between the fridge and the hull.

I don't know if this works on an "M" or not,
but on my "X" I put a line between the two rudderboard cleats and fit the centerboard under the seat at about a 45 deg angle, top behind the seat resting on that line. Hatch is out of the way, stops rear draft and attenuates engine noise.
L.

HERE IS MY SOLUTION...two hooks fitted to the top edge of the hatch...and then hung on the safety line...vertical and out of the way...



Puggsy

I have an 05 M, so the configuration is different than an 03 M. The 05 has the dinette seating simialr to the X. I store the hatchway behind the removable back of the seat blocking entrance to the aft birth. There is a cut out in the aft births cushion for a cooler in the M. I place the hatchway vertical, between the cooler and the starboard hull. It is completely out of the way, and it does not go anywhere. No matter what the heel

Ray

I stand it against the inside of the hull on the starboard side so that the bottom edge is between the hull and the cushion for the aft berth, then slide it aft until the top edge is positioned between the inside of the hull and the liner [under the starboard fuel tank compartment]. It can't fall over no matter how far you heel and does not interfere with anything you have stored on the berth cushion [we leave ours made up for sleeping, and it slides past the bedding with no problem]. Easiest way to retrieve it is with a boat hook, just grab the far end and slide it forward along the hull. I haven't been in a pre-'05 , but I think the aft berth configuration is the same.

Thanks for some great ideas. My version of the M has the sliding galley on the Port side and the dinette on the STBD side.
We've just been sliding the hatch behind the galley; I was looking for a better location. I like the idea of putting it on the STBD side by the aft berth.

I was on the boat yesterday, so I took advantage of the opportunity to bring my camera. Here is a shot of where I store the companionway while on the water.


This location works fine for me. It's easy to place and retrieve, and the cooler keeps it from moving. Parrothead pushes his much further aft. Whatever works!

Ray

Hi Ray

I put mine behind the Galley as that works for me.

I noticed your cooler in the factory spot..... I was on a long cruise and had mine there, as ..... like.... why wouldn't I?????? .... When I rolled on the power after loading up the cooler with food, drinks and ice for the long trip, the boat was leaning hard to starboard and hard to control.

I have since found that the only safe place for the cooler, when it is heavily loaded, and the ballast is empty for HS powering, is right on the floor beside the dinette just aft of the keel.

While this is not a good spot for traffic flow in the cabin, I only leave it there while powering, and move it elsewhere while overnighting.
Ciao

G

We store ours behind one of the up-right seat cushions. We put the long side down and near the top two paste-on tabs to keep it from rattling. At the top we put a bolt holding a rotating triangle that when dangling just keeps the companion-way steady. This makes a fast easy place to store the companion-way hatch without taking valuable space. Works for Us!

Mine is made of transparent plastic. I usually keep it in place when underway. You can pull it up easily, get inside, and pull it back behind you. No big deal.
I tried to store it below, on the rear berth, once. I promptly forgot it was there and is kneeled on it. Now it has a nice crack in a corner. Not all the way through, so I was able to patch it up with superglue.
The next one I will get will still be transparent plastic--maybe a smokier hue? I sleep on the rear berth, so I guess that would still be the place of choice. It's cushioned nicely own there

I store my hatch using a piece of bungee line to the aft starboard wall of the forward cabin. When placed there, it covers up the plumbing for the head and fits pretty even with the width of wall.

Indulgence wrote:I don't know if this works on an "M" or not,
but on my "X" I put a line between the two rudderboard cleats and fit the centerboard under the seat at about a 45 deg angle, top behind the seat resting on that line. Hatch is out of the way, stops rear draft and attenuates engine noise.
L.

Yeah, it was "where to store that dratted washboard" that convinced me to make a real set of drop-boards out of marine plywood!

After I got them varnished, I've stored the Mac washboard in my basement.

Rick,

I hear ya...



But in all honesty...I haven't actually seen them in person yet. My Dad made them a few months ago. I will put them on the boat in Sept when I get back to the U.S. for a week of mods/installs...and hopefully a little sailing.

Got the idea from others on this board. Thanks.

Cheers,
Jim

Thanks Geoff.

I'll e-mail you shortly.


Ray