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Hi everyone. Just wondering if any Mark 1 owners can help me with a door lock issue. I have an old lockwood tongue type latch at the top of the upper door section and combined with the flexibility of the door itself, I find it's not as secure as I would like.

Has anybody fitted a new locking system they would recommend or have an existing one they are happy with? Any photo's, suggestions appreciated.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I believe that my lock would be the same as yours and I have only had two probelms. The first was replacing a broken spring, but I managed to obtain an old spring of similar dimensions from a locksmith's junk box. The other problem that was similar to your description was the lock becoming loose over time due to use of the key for opening and closing. I removed the lock and tightened up the internal screws, then replaced it. No more trouble!
I overcame any looseness in the fit of the fibreglass upper panel too, it is quite solid once it is in position and locked.

Sean

AZZURA
Classic Mark I

Many boat owners never lock their boats.

Because if someone wants to get in they will.

For example:
I asked a shipwright to do some work and forgot to leave them the keys.
They rang me and asked if they could use the 'universal' key. i.e. bolt cutters.

Does not take much to get in if someone really wants to.

Besides... your boat is only held onto the mooring with a loop of line.
Not even knotted!!!!!

How secure is that!!

By locking you are only keeping out the honest people or people without a set of bolt cutters in their pocket.

Interesting sentiment Dianna,
I keep our boat locked, because if ours is locked and the one next door isn't, they'll go over there instead. Plus, only the newer looking boats have good gear in 'em.....

You should think of tying a half hitch with your mooring bouy tail around the cleat over the top of your main mooring line. I've seen boats slip their moorings in very calm conditions, just by coming up on line line and the mooring loop simply lifts off. Especially if you have a plastic chaff protector.
Just sayin'

Felicite got broken into just after we moved here (Belmont) and, your right, there was more damage done to the lock and the door frame than anything else . All they stole was the biscuits (they were probably stale anyway). They were looking for alcohol more than valuables.
I wonder if a snake would have detered them?

I close the loop onto the samson post with a light line. It can't come off.
Also tie up the furler around the clew on the sail if you have one. I've seen the furling line come loose on a catamaran that took mooring and all to a better location further up the bay.

Thanks for the comments.

I am not aware of anyone having their boats broken into, but I was just trying to stay one step ahead. I have worked out how to break into my own boat, so I'm sure someone else could too.

Maybe a rubber funnel web spider hanging in front of the door?

Bruce

Hi Bruce

I find that the lower board of the Mk1 door is good because the toggles and gasket arrangement makes it water tight, but the upper board is a bit awkward. So one thing I have contemplated doing is to cut the upper board in half (horizontally), then to join the two pieces with piano hinge. The cut edges would be reinforced so that when closed pressure on the door would be on the gaketed edge and not on the hinge. The mid section would be held in place with a slide bolt or toggles on each side.

At sea, in rough weather, the door could be closed but upper section could be opened as needed for access to the VHF and instruments but without the entire top section of the door falling out. Because of the reduced size of the folding top section, getting in and out of the cabin would be less awkward as would storage of the door. At anchor in wet weather the top section could be left folded down to provide improved light and ventilation.

Because of the reduced distance between the cilinder lock and the additional slide bolts the door rigidity should be much improved. Just an idea that I might get around to doing one day.

Cheers
Keith