Save-A-Boat - The Forum for Plastic Classic Rebuilds!

I've got a question for which I'm sure the answer will be embarrassingly obvious, but, oh well, everyone else can smugly realize how smart they are as they read my query...

I'd idly wondered this in the past, and again while watching the work progress on Equinox:

How does the top companionway "drop board" work with that rounded hood design on the Contessa? Usually the top board just drops down from above, of course; but can it do that with this arrangement (because there is no companionway slider above to slide back out of the way)? Or do the lower ones drop in and then the top (dome-shaped) one just... well, what does it do?

Thank you,

Rachel

Rachel posting a question concerning physical characteristics and no picture? Sheeesh, can't be answered then :)

The best I could do is this picture of a Sonar sailboat...



Look at the companionway entrance. See the recess in the wood of the top part of the companionway entrance? The top dropboard is attached to the dropboard just below it with hinges. You fit the lower dropboard into the recess then slide it down. The top dropboard hinges up and it is locked with a hasp. This is the way it is done with my uncle's Sonar (not this one).

I'm not sure if the Contessa has this system but its one way to do it without a companionway slide.

- Casey

It's more or less like Case suggests, but without the hinge.

Hirilondë wrote:Rachel posting a question concerning physical characteristics and no picture? Sheeesh, can't be answered then :)

What on earth was I thinking? Hee hee.





Thanks for the explanation. Obviously it works, as Contessas have made it around the world -- I was just curious how! (And I didn't see a hasp-slot, but there must be one there.)

Rachel

Thanks for asking Rachel. I wondered about this as well.