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With my most recent project, I found something I really don't like about the DE38. The ladder through the companionway is attached at the top using a piano hinge, but I was considering swapping that out with some draw latches from the top so it can be completely removed for when you want in and out of the engine room. Does anybody have any other suggestions for how to make it so the ladder can be removed without a whole lot of grief?
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Be very careful that what you go to is as strong or stronger than the piano hinge both in the opened and unopened positions. Having that hatch go flying in heavy seas or falling when your under it would be a bad thing. Some people have moved the hinge from the top to the side so the companionway opens up to starboard.
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The draw latches that I linked are available to hold roughly 1300 pounds in any direction, and 1900lbs in the draw direction. If there were four holding the ladder on there I feel like it would take a very heavy person in very heavy seas to knock it loose.
I hadn't thought of mounting the hinges on the side, but that's also a good idea. I just don't like having the hatch blocking the companionway while I'm in the engine room.
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🙂 that is some latches then.. lol.. stronger than the hinge by far.. weak point would be the wood they were attached to. I like the companion way able to go up and down very quickly on the hinge. It is to far without the ladder to safely get in and out of the boat, especially when stuff is bouncing around. I think the side hinge would be the best arrangement over all though as it clears the companionway so you can talk back and forth with someone at the helm but it also can be put back in use in a couple seconds if needed. That in combination with a couple of those latches on the other side would work a treat.
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Scott, do you cruise your DE38 or liveaboard?
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lol.... i dream of cruising... lived aboard for a year and a half and am back at our house now due to imminent arrival of new baby.
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I have seen a few DE38's that have their companionway stairs attached with heavy-duty hinges on the stbd side of the stairs, connected to the plywood it rests on. This allows you to open up the engine room without blocking the companionway hatch. I plan on doing this with mine.
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