Cockpit Mezzanine & Tuna Tube Winter Project

[rustybucket]

Ladder will be moved aft to clear mezzanine so entire bench seat is usable. Also bridge will be extended as needed.

[rsmith]

Personally the first thing I’d want to change is the salon door opening into the cockpit

[rustybucket]

Personally the first thing I’d want to change is the salon door opening into the cockpit

What would you change about it?

[rsmith]

What would you change about it?

I’d either make it a slider with a pneumatic opener or have it open inward. If you were ever in the cockpit hit by one of these open out doors you’d know why.

[rustybucket]

I’d either make it a slider with a pneumatic opener or have it open inward. If you were ever in the cockpit hit by one of these open out doors you’d know why.

A pneumatic or automatic would be nice, maybe a down the road project.

[JCG-PR]

On my 45C the door was changed by one of the previous owners from the old sliding design, tha apparently is not very good, to open inward. I don't like it, I'm planning to change it to open outward in the future. In my cockpit, the fly bridge ladder is on the port side and my intention is to have the door open towards that side, so it won't tecnically block anything.

Obviously, an automatic sliding door would be awesome, but pretty expensive as well.

Regards,

JCG

[Texastailboard]

Awesome idea adding the cockpit additions. I have the same boat you do and I have wanted to same additions. One of the reasons I wanted the additions was engine room access. I looked at one of my neighbors newer boats and his was a gull wing design the was in same loaction as ours but when the er door opened it included the seating area and step up from cockpit. Almost made a steps from ER instead of vertical ladder. Our current opening a 5 gallon bucket is a tight fit, but my real challenge has always been batteries. I would rather have access to get in and out easier, Im not a small guy. Just a thought.

[Scott Mather]

I keep hearing that the engine room access is bad on a 52c.
Is it possible that different doors, hatches or ladders were used through the years?
I think access is more than acceptable on our 1989 52c.
A full 5 gallon bucket is easy fit, an 8d battery goes down easy, it does take 2 able bodies but no clearance problems.

On another cockpit note, has anyone hinged the loose cockpit hatches that we all have.
It would be great to access the bilge without picking up a heavy hatch and leaning up against the side of boat.
All new sportfish have hinges and gas shocks, I would like to do the same thing but not use exposed hinges.

[rustybucket]

Ok guys, the deed is done.... my brother and I met at the boat last weekend and took saws and grinders to the ol gal. Was a little more unsettling than I thought it would be lol. We could have gone fishing but instead we took her out of commission for a few months lol.

Snapped this last pic just before we started hacking.


Removing lids, tubs, inserts, hinches and hardware.




Let the games begin!!

[rustybucket]