Cabin Door

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:01 am

New to your group, I welcome the dialogue going. There aren't many 33FBC here in New Orleans and I've seen none fishing the South Pass area so I have little opportunity to see improvements. I'm curious to hear what some have done for repair/improvements to the cabin door. Corrosion and wear have taken their toll and the door won't make next year's fishing season without some extensive repairs. The scope as of now is to install new rollers, track and door latch and possibly a bottom window instead of the blank panel. If anyone has had to rebuild or replace the cabin door, what improvements were incorporated?

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Sep 10, 2003 6:57 am

I took my door to a window place. They took the bottom off & freed up the rollers & adjusters. Had them replace bottom panel with a white pebbled surface aluminum panel. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 4:52 am

I have a 1989 Convertable. First thing I have to say is the door is a piece of you know what. I think that is about the only bad thing I can say about this boat. I rebuilt the door withall new parts obtained from Richard Bertram in Miami. My goal is still to put a "Hatteras" type door on this Boat. Glastech , Miami will build you one to install for a measly $3,500. Basically they take a wood door and epoxy it. I think I can have one custom made a bunch cheaper. E.W. Dugan

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 5:14 am

Curious about the Hatteras door - does it slide or swing? If swinging, on the '89, is the door mid-ship or farther off to starboard? If swinging, would you have it swing in or out? I'm not wild about the sliding door, but you can't beat it for staying out of the way of the cockpit or salon. I find the door to be a very critical (dangerous) component on a sportfisher given the quickness which the crew exits when we get a knockdown and I'm waiting for the incident to happen. Curious what other 33FBC fishing boats are doing. As far as cocktail cruises, it really doesn't matter.

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 5:49 am

Fish Stix, The Hatteras doors swing outward. The 89 convertable door is on the Stb side. When it is working, it works well, but what happens on my boat, is my kids never get it open or closed to the point of latching. So when the boat does it "Bertram roll" it flys off the track or breaks a latch or a roller. I'm just tired of fixing it. I paid $80 for just the rollers. The door latch is shot, the latch to hold the door open is broken for the 100th time. The tracks are about worn out. The door stopper thing is broken (again). Now you can see how much I like this door. E.W. Dugan

will newton · Post by **will newton** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:52 am

I'll agree with E.W. The door issue is a problem with her roll and I've had people get almost cut in half when the door decides to roll shut...the breaks don't work for long. Children can never figure the thing out and we always have tears when sombody gets "run over by the monster door". The swing "Hatteras" style door opening out swinging to the port with a big hook on the bulkhead to keep it open on fishing trips (on the 1989 fbc) would be perfect in my book. Huckins here in Jax will build me one for about $2000 but then one has to reconstruct the jam opening and secure properly...big job and big money I'm sure. If anybody has done it let us know.... Will newton 331989fbc