My wife wants me to replace the plastic track for the sliding companionway hatch. It has broken in several places and is rather sharp. (Personally, I like it that way! It lets people know not to put their weight on the tracks when going above/below! ;-)
TPI apparently still sells it in 5 foot lengths.
Now I have some guesses about how to go about doing this. From what I can see, there's a large cover that screws down into the deck, then the hatch track in question screws sideways into the deck. But I have no idea what to do with the sliding hatch itself. Also, are those wood screws (If my memory serves, it can't be through-bolted) and do the cover and track screw into balsa core? Before I buy parts and rip open the companionway, I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into. ;-) Could someone who has already done it please provide a step-by-step guide?
Assuming I don't find water damage, is this something I can reasonably do in a day at the boatyard? Is a 5 foot length of track long enough for one side?
Thanks,
Ryan Pierce, #337
[This message has been edited by rdpierce (edited 04-04-2004).]
