Chip & Debbie Willis on s\v Elegant'sea: Companionway doors, locking from inside

Top latch.

We wanted a latch on the companionway doors so we could lock the boat from the inside.
December 2012 - Currently at Marina Kona Kai Shelter Island San Diego, CA

We have been just leaving the door unlocked, because there is no lock. It seems Ok but then again sometimes we think it might be a good idea to lock the door when we are sleeping.

This is not high security but at least there would be some commotion if someone were to rip the doors open. Now it is just open the door a walk in. We looked at a couple chandleries but could not find a brass sliding lock we liked. It also has to work for lounging in the cockpit with the doors open meaning it cannot jab you in the back etc. So a look at San Diego Hardware Company fand ound what we were looking for.

Bottom latch

Doors closed.

They have some latches close to what is already on the companion way doors (there are two latches there now).

San Diego Hardware also had one I liked but am not sure if it would be practical.

The button looking thing is the door stop.

We got two latches to try out and will think about the other.

We were also looking for a hatch stop so the hatch would not get broken. It lays against the eyebrow on top but has nothing to support it at the bottom. Thus you lean against the door and it twists because the bottom is unsupported. These doors are custom made by Islander and in the early years they inserted the glass is not the wood. This looks real nice built would also be hard to fix, not impossible but the fix is not as nice looking. To prevent the doors from getting damaged we are trying to find a good looking door stop and one that will be the right height to work. It has not been an easy task. We are otr even tried to use plastic furniture feet but have not found the right height. We are hopping this door stop will work.