Fitting out Drifter 22
'Appuski Too'
Companionway
Washboards
Living
in a city which does not have a good name for crime, the previous owner had
replaced the cabin doors with a roller shutter arrangement - as he had access
to a manufacturing facility for this kind of closure. However, whilst this is
great for securing the cabin whilst the boat is in storage it is impractical
for day to day use on a cruise as it is difficult to insert and close from
inside the cabin - and seriously noisy late at night when surrounded by other
boats.
There
is good news though. The roller shutter required a channel to roll in which
meant that plates had been fitted either side of the companionway in a manner
similar to the Coaster washboard retainers. On 'Appuski Too' these plates are
aluminium finished in an attractive manner to match the colour of the hull.
These in turn meant that it was a simple manner to fit a set of washboards.
There
was a choice to remove the plates and replace the original doors but I decided
to make some washboards to see how I got on with them. This would mean that I
could keep the roller shutter for use in storage and over the winter. In the
event I have decided that the doors are neat but are obstructive when they are
open so I think I will keep the washboards.
For
aesthetics, I splashed out and made the washboards from Robbins Super Elite ply
for the fine colour of its mahogany veneer. When travelling, an additional
washboard fits in place of the existing folding bottom washboard. This
additional board has a leathered slot as you see to accomodate
the stowed mizzen mast.
The
hinged original bottom washboard is a brilliant idea. It can be used with the
new upper washboards and is of course retained.
The fixings for the catches which secure it in the raised position
however require a small mod. I have now backed them with penny washers bent to
fit in the available space. This is because the unwashered
dome nuts pulled right through the grp when I was
standing in the companion way being thrown about by a heavy chop. If you might
venture out or be caught out in conditions where you feel the need to raise
this washboard I recommend that you too fit penny washers behind these nuts.
The
washboard sizes had to be carefully chosen to ensure that they could be lifted
up and out when the mast has been lowered, however, my mast gallows post is
shorter than standard to reduce the trailing height of the rig for windage and ferry tariff reasons. This means that the
lowered mast sits closer to the cabin hatch cover and with yard, sail and boom
now all together. there is little clearance to lift
the hatch when the boat is ashore. A simple sliding hatch is providing a
temporary solution but more on this next season.