Problems with sliding door....

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:15 pm

It seems to me this issue was being discussed a couple of years ago when I first stumbled into this sandbox... The sliding door main cabin on "Phoenix" has always been a problem.. the lower track is well worn, and occasionally the door gets off the track and binds up. I suppose I could ask Danny about replacement parts, but I am sure they will be expensive, and I really don't like that style door anyway, mainly because it is so heavy. I have to confess to those of you who are purists that I am not trying to restore "Phoenix" to as new Bertram condition, rather I am trying to repair her and fix things on her so they function properly, are well designed, and look good. I am therefore considering scrapping the sliding door in favor of a traditional hinged version, similar to what the sportfishes have. I have even seen another mfg boat with narrow double doors, which did not look too bad. What do you all have to say? Is there a source of reasonably priced slider system parts? Has anyone rebuilt a sliding door? Has anyone replaced the door? If so, with what style, and can you offer details, pics, etc? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 12:35 pm

I hear what you're saying, but the sliding door on the FBC's is one of those compromises that had to be made for a larger cabin. A hinged door will take up a lot of room in an already tight cockpit. Its not a problem in the SF's as the door sits between the engine boxes. Also, the door would always need to be closed as there's not enough room to swing it back and attach it to the bulkhead (the bridge ladder would get in the way). Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:33 pm

I had to replace my slider hardware last year and I took Tim's advice and got it at Home Depot.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:04 pm

Ed.. Can't access the search function, so I can't go back and see what you guys discussed. (It goes about half way and just stops). Did you use standard hardware? How about corrosion? Did you have to make any modifications to the door, or was it sort of a bolt on replacement? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:51 pm

I removed door and roller hardware and took it HD, they had the very same items for just a few dollars. It just popped out and we popped in the new one. It was easy except we had to remove the tackle station to remove the door.

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:24 am

Guess nobody ever reads my threads! I've hated that door since I bought the boat. I had a custom door built by AGR Windows in B.C. It is one piece slider built within it's own frame. I can't tell you how heavy duty this thing is. Sorry I haven't posted any pics yet. I do have them but not on this computer. I threw the old door , tracks and all in the dumpster down the steet. Other than the repower..another happy day in owning this boat! Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:47 am

Gene, If it makes you feel any better, I read your threads! Didn't the door have to be sent back to the factory? What was the cost? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:04 am

Gene... I recalled some discussion about you replacing your door, but for some reason when I did a search before I posted the first msg above I could not get the search function to respond, so I went ahead and posted again. I am getting ready to start a cabin rebuild, will be removing the (original?) cabinets the previous owner had hacked up, but need to do some major reconstruction of the aft cabin bulkhead fairly soon. I was on the boat this AM and looked carefully, the bulkhead to the port side of the door is delaminated all the way from the bottom edge to the bottom of the window frame! I did not know it was that bad, but I never looked as closely as I did today! So, if I am going to do major work on the bulkhead, I suppose I should do the door now rather than later. So.. here is my dilemma.. the door is in rough but serviceable shape.. there are a few screw holes in it that were probably for handles or other things that are no longer around. The latch works but the strike plate has been replaced with a smaller one and there is a hole in the frame that the old one filled.. the lower track is pretty well worn, due apparently to constant use after an oversized screw was replaced in it. The screw head forced the door to bind on the track, and over the years this caused the aluminum track to wear unevenly, so occasionally the rollers run off it, binding the door up tight immediately. I can probably switch the lower track and the upper one, but that still leaves me with the crappy door, and old worn hardware which might give me future problems anyway. At this point I am wondering if I should not waste any time dicking around with the existing door and just install a new one, as you did, track, rollers and all! I can build one myself, I have a full woodworking shop and I can get teak locally, and I suppose I can find a marine hardware place online where I can get the rollers and other hardware. I really would like to see some pics of your door.. overall and closeups of the hardware if possible. I have been looking at the doors on the local charter boat fleet, but they are pretty crude compared to what I want for "Phoenix". If you can't post them here pls email them to me! I am not in a super rush, but this AM after seeing just how much work I will need to do to bring the aft bulkhead back I have moved the door project up in my priority list! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:47 am

Ok..my mission is to get the door pics posted. I wasted a lot of time and $ on the old door. Still have a set of brand new rollers from High Tide bty. I too had to replace the Stb bulkhead. I had to remove it to get the engines out. I had a guy replace it for about $250. Pretty much the same white laminated marine ply and he put new vineer on the inside. The Port side is still in pretty good shape. Project for another day I guess. Doug...yeah the door was scratched up when it showed up. They had to re powdercoat it and ship it back (air) that cost them. I think I paid about $1700 for the door inclusing shipping from Vancouver. Money well spent...we really like it. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:07 am

As far as posting pics is concerned, I think the functionality is still on the fritz. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]