Notched door on the pilothouse

[tomlarkin]

I made a mockup of the pilothouse to get a feel for how it all goes together. The plans call for sliding doors p&s, but I tried out this swinging door. Note the notch to allow the door to open despite the narrow side deck. I went in and out dozens of times. The bumpout in the door frame didn't interfere with that at all. Turns out you're wider at the shoulders than the kneecaps.

I really like this design. Here are my reasons.

• Easier to build and maintain
• Able to use a nice mortice lock with deadbolt
• Easier to seal and make watertight
• Takes up less space than a sliding door in the front, where the deck is narrowest

So, tell me why I shouldn't do this I've never seen a door quite like it.

[rufustr]

Tom,
I've read all of your blog and am following your progress with great interest.
I interpret your photo as showing the door hinged at the rear edge.
With respect I think you will find that in practice a hinged door will be a pain.
Fragile.
Hard to restrain when open unless folded completely back against the cabin.
In the way when open unless as above.
Subject to potentially huge forces from wind and/or wave.
At least as hard to waterproof in this application as a slider would be.
Difficult to secure in a partly open configuration.
I look forward to seeing how your idea develops.
BTW I have the plans for the Godzilla 22 hence the interest in your project.

Rufus.

[kc8pql]

I agree with the above. In rough weather when the boat is pitching and rolling and you need both hands to hang on, the hinged door could be dangerous.

[botebum]

There are reasons why sliders are the most common method used. Many of the reasons for this are stated above. I'd think long and hard before going the hinged route.

Doug

[outofthenorm]

Your notch solution is clever Tom, but hinging the door means you give up one of the most important safety features of a slider - namely that no matter whether you are fore or aft, and no matter what the weather, you can quickly open and pass through the door. Imagine there was more than one person trying to get inside fast when it's really blowing and solid water or spray is coming over the bow. There's a right way and a wrong way. IMO, sliders are the right way.

- Norm

[tomlarkin]

There are reasons why sliders are the most common method used.

Actually, in the dozens of tug pictures (caution, lots of images) I looked at, about half of them have swinging doors. Having the door blow out of your hand in a gale and crash on the house does worry me though. Obviously, there would need to be a way to fasten the door open securely. I'm thinking a hole for the deadbolt to lock the door into in the open position.

As usual, you have poked irrefutable holes in my ideas. Now I need to think some more. Thanks a lot. Really.

[htom]

As yet unmentioned is the corner of the notch you've made in the door, just above the rail. It's going to grab your slicker as you try to go in and out, just enough to trip you someday. If you do a door like that, have there be no protruding corners to grab you.

[outofthenorm]

Great links Tom - I'm a sucker for tugs. I notice a lot of the hinged doors open inwards. Any room for that?

This is one very cool tug!


- Norm

[tomlarkin]

I notice a lot of the hinged doors open inwards. Any room for that?

Norm - No, the space in the pilothouse is really tight. With my 2 junkyard Honda seats, you have to turn sideways to go down the steps to the stern cabin.

This is one very cool tug!

I think some of the disappearing doors in the tugs are pocket doors. I love looking at tug pictures. I've collected almost enough for another page.

[Ian McColgin]

Having sailed pilothouse yachts and, of course, tugs with both hinged and sliding doors, I like sliders best for a pilot house. Lower doors to the house (on tugs) are almost always hinged (hinges forward) two part doors than can be dogged shut.

The slider should close by sliding forward, hung entirely outside to avoide the dirt and water collection of a pocket, and come to a snug full height cove to ensure weatherproofing.

You don't really need wheels or complex tracks, especially if you put a bit of teflon on the bottom.

G'luck

[BETTY-B]

I've recently taken a bunch of pictures of sliders if you are interested. Actually, the best design I have seen so far is Lew's RITA.

DAN

[Tom Robb]

The mock-up has an interesting "measured wrong - haywired aesthetic" going for it. The notch ain't pretty.
If you must do the hinged thing a sweeping curve instead of the sawed off look might be less haywired looking.
What are the tires for? You're doing big ship docking work?
The seats are another interesting choice too.... The barcalounger didn't fit?

[paladin]

Nice work Tom.....I've been sneakin' peaks at your progress......and I would go with a sliding door....

[tomlarkin]

The notch ain't pretty.

My motto: Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, and cut it with an axe!

[rufustr]

Tom,

Thanks for the links to the tug photos.

Some really striking boats there.

Rufus.

[htom]

You could split the door down the center, and hinge each half, one fore and one aft. Sealing the center might be a problem.