A few armchair critics out here today. James is not a bespoke boat builder he is an average fella like the rest of us with an amateur skill set having a bloody good stab at a project most of us wouldnt have the balls to take on. Keep at it James its all coming together nicely👍
You removed a batten from the below the sill level thats why you had a gap. You also are better having that void at the base as it allows the water to drain away from the timber sill otherwise it will rot sitting in dampness.
All I can say is that you were absolutely right about removing the door frame .. it's a simple task to make a new one.. As you have the pattern already personally I would have it made out of steel . for security purposes. A door frame is the weak spot on any building.. vehicle ..or boat. They are prone to rot especially when they are made of wood.. most of the time it's down to the end grain of the timber not being treated properly.. the same thing applies to the doors.. Anyway James ignore the negative comments as anyone who has refurbished a boat will tell you that you are doing the right thing.. Stay safe and well mate. And keep up the excellent work.
I, for one, am happy you removed the frame and at least got it where it doesn’t shake. I have no strength, but believe I could have gotten into your boat 😂. They were a problem since before you got the boat. I trust that you will make them beautiful and secure. I rarely read other people’s comments, but today I couldn’t help but read the first comment made by someone who: A- doesn’t own a boat, B- is jealous, or C- is just a cruel person. Your answer was perfect. Thank you for sharing your experience.
One glass door would be great and bring in lots of light, and if you had it as a metal double glazed unit it would be very secure. My only concern would be if you had it fully open and wanted to get off the boat from there it could be difficult to get around so could limit mobility depending upon which side the tow path was. If you’re planning to live aboard full time then metal sealed unit doors would be more resilient.
Would you like the idea of one large glass door at the bow end then perhaps a heavy curtain on the inside, it would make a great viewing spot and lots of light getting in with a nice wide exit door.
Great job James. At least you have some thoughts on what you may want to do with the door now. But until you make a decision it will hold you up on finishing that end of the boat for sure. Good thing you have other areas you can still work on to keep you busy right now. Don’t listen to the naysayers James, it’s hard for some people to imagine doing such a fine job on own boat. Live your life James.
A really good opportunity here to have some strong, secure doors. Steel frame, steel doors with toughened glass and you could maybe use garage door bolts (as I did on my stern doors) as they are quite easy to fit ie they sit flat and just bolt right through.
look at vid, you tore out battens on the bottom and top and it does not look ridiculous you actually have more protection on the frame from rot. If it's not sitting in the gunk below it, it will last longer.
Hello young James. In my humble opinion, a metal door opening would be the best solution - easy thing to say! Double glazed would be a good further investment. A single door yet another great idea. I think Hatch Graham would do you proud! Pocket doors; I think make them all exactly as your first, excellent example so that you have consistency throughout your vessel. As I said, just a humble opinion.
looks like a redesign of the frame and doors would give you a bigger opening, a couple of inches extra height for getting in and out can make quite the difference in comfort.
Just a thought I'm having for my bow doors can't you have them opening inwards as a house door does?, this would free up more space on the bow beck, they don't have to open flat against the inside wall, and the space above the front steps is already dead space so make use of it? Don't know if it's possible but it's something I am now considering, enjoying the build series though
It must be possible to order some doors including door frame made to fit your boat without it costing too much. Doors are like windows, if you make them yourself they are shit.
At the risk of having your “ #1 Fan “ making yet another comment, I don’t have a clue as to what kind of door or bunk bed you should have. My boats have all been fiberglass cabin cruisers and definitely condensation monsters. They aren’t used in the winter due to harsh winters, so no wood burners or diesel stoves onboard. I think talking to Graham and having him do the job, or at the least film him telling you how to do it, so you have something to refer to. You are doing a lot of work and it is coming together. Keep it up James! 😊🤗 Kathy
It's significantly higher than it needs to be though - looks like the doors might have been bought second hand and then the frame was built to fit them.
Can’t completely understand your need to reinforce the front doors, they were about to fill in on them selves. At least it is now weather tight and secure enough to allow yourself enough time to get some nice metal doors made up, that will be so much more safe and secure than a wooden alternative. You are really making progress and it’s great to see, at this rate you could be fully moved in to the new boat by summer 🤞🏻 Keep going James you have got this 🤗
I love the wooden doors - but - Especially when the kids are aboard - SECURITY is your #1 concern. And the bigger opening is a MAJOR bonus! Having better access to the bow is just a big Plus, too! Steel doors might be the better idea - and you can trim them with wood, or however you'd like.
