Summary
(please click on any of the pictures for a larger one - use the BACK button to come back)
I wanted to have some of those really cool, "yachty" looking companionway steps instead of a "ladder". This would also allow me to stagger the steps as they went down and allow for a larger swinging area for the head door.
This is what I started with - an over-engineered, over-complicated jig. I had no idea whether it would work or not.
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And here is the big mess I made. I used 5 layers of 1/8" teak ply and basswood. I was VERY optimistic when making the curves in the jig.
There was NO WAY all of this wood was going to bend at that radius (without cracking as I found out!) Good thing I bought some extra pieces.....
I ended up shimming the jig with additional pieces of wood to allow for a more gentle curve. This turned out better. |
Here is one of the "raw" steps as it came out of the jig. I rounded off the corners with the bandsaw then sanded and dressed up the edges.
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Next, I taped off a section in the center of each step and did my "too thick epoxy" trick to make some non-skid on them.
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Here are the installed steps on the face of the engine bulkhead. I made some teak supports to go underneath each step.
They are staggered to starboard to allow the head door (non visible to the right of the picture) as much opening range as possible.
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Another picture of the steps installed. I made the supports have a 1" space away from the bulkhead to give them a better look.
I used some of the same non-skid treatment on the top of the engine compartment.
There is still a bunch of unfinished stuff all around - please ignore. |
Lessons Learned
If you add 20% of everything to your supplies list, you are much more comfortable screwing up, and there is less stress involved.
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