Cockpit Decking

[Late2sail]

Reaching out to the forum for some more mod advice. I really like the wood deck pictured in the mod section that eliminates the need to step around the steering when boarding. I sent an email to the author but have not received a response. Has anyone else added this mod? From the pictures ,he is obviously skilled in woodworking and the deck really dresses up the floor of the cockpit. As a school teacher, It would be difficult to afford Teak. Does anyone have any plans, suggestions for alternative wood species they would be willing to share? Any down side to adding this feature? How hard is it to remove for cleaning? Any help would be much appreciated. 1999

[NiceAft]

For those of us who have no idea of what you are referring to, a photo or an address to the site would help.

Ray

[Hamin' X]

I think that he is referring to this mod:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1668

~Rich

[NiceAft]

If indeed this is the mod being referenced, it is made out of cedar, not teak.

I’m not sure of how the mod eliminates the obstruction of the pedestal ( assuming that is the “steering referred to).

If built in two section, one starboard, one port, it should be easy enough to remove. All you would need are the muscles to lift the possibly wet wood.

Ray

[K9Kampers]

...( assuming that is the “steering referred to)

The steering referred to is the rudder yoke and cable end in the area of the motorwell of the .

A few days ago, here in Gig Harbor, I was talking to a (new to him) owner who has the same mod done by the P.O.

A few years ago, when I was considering that mod, I bought a fiberglass sleeve for a mailbox post -about 1/4" wall thickness by 6'. The intent was / is to cut that lengthwise to create a couple of C-channel joists on which to mount a wood or Starboard slatted deck.

[Late2sail]

Rich, thanks for filling in the gap;) Yes, that is the mod I was referring to, and the ‘steering’ refers to the linkage around the engine/drain Well area. The deck design shown eliminates the transition step. I keep my boat backed into a slip and it’s a pain to board because you have to step around the linkage.

[NiceAft]

Having an , I’m now aware of the different configuration back there.

I back into a slip as my normal means of docking. Can’t you just step into the cockpit? Or get something like this to enable you to step into the cockpit? It seems a lot easier, and cheaper.

Maybe I just don’t see the problem as you do. My mistake then.


Ray

[K9Kampers]

The has more room to enter thru the transom than the . The challenge can be tip-toeing around the potential trip hazards of the rudder linkage bar, steering cable, engine control cables, hence a deck over all that stuff would make it a bit easier. For thirteen years, I've managed fine on mine but do occaisionally trip up.

[NiceAft]

I know the transom is wider on the , but I still don’t understand not just steppping into the cockpit. I’m late sixties, and don’t have a problem.

It just strikes me as a more convoluted way of boarding by trying to step from a dock into the transom. Is that how most owners board their Mac’s?

Ray

[Late2sail]

[/https://photos.app.goo.gl/2oi7LqyidD4dzo5X8img]
I don’t know if this link will work to my pic, but I can only access the transom area of my boat for boarding from my slip. The floating dock can get very active (up and down from wave action) and I have to keep the boat tied a safe distance to prevent the motor from hitting the dock. To compound matters, my wife is 5’ tall and struggles with making the ‘giant’ step and landing on the relatively small area around the rudder linkage.

Hope that makes sense, Ray

If my link doesn’t work, could someone provide guidance- pics help a lot.

[NiceAft]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2oi7LqyidD4dzo5X8

I believe if you click either on “image”, or the address below, the photo will appear.

Thanks for the clarity. My understanding of a slip is the dock alongside the boat. I have never seen your type of slip.

By the way, my wife is five foot and three quarters. I know the challenges.

Ray