Poll: Seafari door opening in or out?
 

Hello, Folks:

I am about to start installing a door for my Seafari, and we are debating the merits of it opening into the cabin, or out of the cabin.
After using Ciao Bella without a door, it is pretty convenient for the mates to duck into the cabin to grab something while we ride.

I'd like to take a poll: Do you prefer in swing or out swing for the door, and which side should the hinges be on?

I am debating using hinges with easily removable pins so I can take the door off if not needed. Here is the door I am installing (photo is before refinishing)

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

I installed a bi-fold door that swings out and mounts on the passenger (port) side. So far I like it and am happy with the placement.

door should open out, otherwise if something falls off the bunk it wll jam the door shut
hinged on the left so not in drivers way if stowed open

Seafari Door
 

The non-bifold door on my '76 was factory installed on the right. Preference for stowed open may depend on the size of the driver. I am not large and although it is a little inconvenient to walk past it or release it from its stop, I am probably more careful about it than my passengers would be, some of which are larger than me. When the kids were infants I put a net about half way up so when we were trolling with the door open, we could see them, but they couldn't roll out if we were distracted.

Thanks guys -

I am not a small guy (5'11"" and 250lbs) so I can imagine having difficulty reaching to the floor on my left to unlatch the hook holding it open. That would indicate running with it closed or hinged left. I think mine was hinged right from the factory, based on the divot in the gelcoat about where a latch would go.

I did not think of the issue of gear falling off the bunk and jamming the door. That is a strong point in favor of opening out. Good insight!

Interesting and well made point about the Door opening outward ! That's a common sense observation that makes this site so valuable

I prefer no door...but that's just me :-), gets in the way of large cooler storage in the dropdown when we have one there...and if you fab up the floor flush and all the way to the door opening someone can stand there and you can stow all sorts of anchor rope under there.

Actually, my 5'3" wife likes to stand in the well so she is out of the wind completely. But I will be going with the lift off hinges so that I can remove the door wen warranted.

I have a question. The Blank Canvas, 1976 20 Seafari opens out, hinges on right. Same with 1977. The pic of the door of OP looks to have opened out but hinged on left. Unless pic is "backwards"?.? On my finished '77, hinged right, opens to me, operator, 5'10", 160 lbs. works perfect.

Main Point? There is a stud on outside base of door. Receiving magnet screwed into top right side of step down well. Minimal effort to release and no bending!!!

Vezo, Part II

I would mount it on right like Potter did. Reason is if you need to open door to get something out of cabin, you can't get it anyway when driving, so passenger has to do it and door won't be in their way if it's hinged on right. I have done that myself when going slow however. It's ok to leave the wheel then for a few seconds, since it's hydraulic steering so it doesn't move when released.

As far as a cooler in the stepdown, that's a cool feature of the '72 and earlier models with the big stepdown, which is big enough to hold a 70 qt Coleman cooler with the door in place. I've personally never found a need for a larger cooler, and I've stayed on the boat for as long as 3 nights at a time. My 65 qt Engle cooler will keep ice for 5 days in the S. Fl. summer! Putting cooler in stepdown improves the ride noticeably when it's rough.

I believe the early Moesly models used double doors with half mounted on each side and latching in the center (see pics below from '69 brochure) but it's not clear if they open in or out. Seems to be a clever arrangement, but if they opened inward, you would not be able to mount a board between door and lid over the head to hold 4 scuba tanks like I did.

Opening out. Numerous reasons previously noted, and harder for hoodlums to open by kicking in. I stuck with the hinge on the right. I like the magnetic open position latch that Vezo described. Removable hinges is an interesting idea.

Cabin Door Magnet
 

I like Vezo's magnet idea too. Have one on a bedroom door but would want a stubbier one on the Seafari

Hey Michael where did you get it?

The only problem with using a magnet is that any metal with enough steel in it to be magnetic will rust! Maybe ok in a fresh water area, but not good in the salt! I've used a small nylon cabinet latch with a ball attached to door and a tubular catch screwed to deck at edge of step down. Has worked great for over 30 years!

Unfortunately it was broken during some mods by my mechanic, soon to be family, but knows where to get the replacement. I will have to get back to you.

Vezo.

Good point on the magnet Denny, an adequate nylon ball catch is a good idea. I have original hook, but not the best for quick response if surfin Seafari alone. Rust and breakage = no es bueno. Maybe something like this?
http://www.tashcosystems.com.au/uplo...Ball_Catch.jpg

Gents:

Nice discussion on the magnet/ball catch latching mechanism. That has been a very good addition to the topic, and I think that will be my hold open system instead of a hook.

In my original post, I included a picture of the door - but it is not original to the Seafari. I scrounged it from a barn from a guy that had parted out a bunch of old boats. From the hardware I took off it, I believe it is at least from the 30's or 40's and mahogany, from a classic runabout.

I sanded it down this weekend, but have not added the finish yet - and the grain is nice and tight, clear and has a lot of character. I ordered hinges that lift off for convenience. I can install it either direction, hinge left or right, but am leaning towards left because the door is already drilled for latch on the right. It is designed with an outer screen and folding inner panel for ventilation. Here are a couple of shots of the inside of it before sanding.

John

Now that's some cool old stuff!!! Now I understand the upper portion screened. Very cool. Keep sanding and then when you thought finished, rub a wet cloth over the surface. Instantly you will view possible true finish, simultaneously raising grain enough for a quick hand sand again with 220 or higher! You have a shit ton of potential with that door.

Michael.

Thanks, Michael - I will try to post some next stage photos later in the week after some of the finish goes on. In the meantime, dodge Irma!

John

Poll Seafari door opening in or out
 

Anyone have the lub for the door hinge leaking onto the outside part of the car. Meaning black goo around where the fender meets the door?

I am not sure what you are referring to - do you have a photo?

Koolade anyone?

After a bit of hiatus, and some beautiful October days on the water instead of working on her, I got back to the installation of the door. Removed the old hardware, screen, trim and sanded, trimmed and sanded. Then a few coats of Cetol stain, then sanding, then trimming.

Epoxied in the door frame, and installed the door for a test fit, then trimmed and sanded some more. The door is now functional, and lifts off nicely from the lift-off hinges. Here are a couple of shots of the door closed and opened with the screen open and closed.

As I put the boat away for the season, I will have to wait for the Spring to install the knob hardware, and then finish the stain and then Cetol gloss coatings for both the frame and door. I had the boat cover partially on and the sky was very gray, so the beauty of the outside of the door did not show in the photos so well, but the inside grain showed better in the photos.

Very interesting door. Nice job on the refurb.

Very nice! I love the door within a door feature.

Nice !
May I suggest some air louvers with "NoSeeUm" screen backing in the solid bottom piece ;)

Very cool dammit .... Now you have me brain storming a door mod.....

Thanks, Guys.

Chuck: I would have to separate the stiles of the door in order to slide out the lower solid panel, so I think I will keep the lower part solid for now. I think the upper screen is enough ventilation for me - it stays cooler in Jersey anyway.

They opened to the inside.

Hell was just looking at that great door and thinking with a lil work you could make a inside table out of the top section

Interesting. But then the first mate would not have the ability to close it when she uses the Loo.