Companionway Upgrade.

In an earlier post we recorded how the specifications for Freeport interior cabinetry had changed significantly over the years of production and, in most cases, not for the better! Probably one of the biggest changes after 1980 was eliminating the neat and functional, fixed companionway steps with storage under, replacing them with a couple of louvre doors and removable steps. Circe, built in 1982, had the later arrangement and we always envied owners of earlier models for what we felt were their superior companionways.

This is a shot of a Freeport with the early design. A rugged, compact and functional arrangement. The top and middle treads hinge up to access the storage areas below and behind the steps. The bottom step can be folded down when necessary for minimum intrusion into the galley floor space.

Here is the later design. The (smaller) storage area is now closed off by two louvre doors and separate, removable steps are provided. The steps intrude a full 8" into the galley floor space and they must be set aside somewhere in the cabin or cockpit before the storage can be accessed. The space under the steps is not very useful as anything left there tends to migrate out onto the cabin sole when under way plus the area has to be cleared to open the louvre doors.








We are rarely content with the status quo where Circe is concerned so we decided to try and take her back a few years, spec wise, and build a close facsimile of the early companionway. Old Matelot cabinetry skills are non-existant so we enlisted some professional help. We hired Art Kleiner from The Boat Smith to build the new companionway, leaving us to do all the finish work.

Here we are pulling out the central section of the aft cabin bulkhead, behind the steps. This will become the base template for the new companionway construction.

Now you see it.

Now you don't.

Another shot for our 'Horror Gallery'! The bolts on the top retaining brackets for the steps had no backing plates, just small washers! The nuts had been tightened and re-tightened so many times they had crushed deep into the back side of the bulkhead.

Here is the new centre bulkhead section ready for a trial fit.

Looking good. Just needs a little adjustment to fit the out-of-square companionway frame.

Art built us a complete new step assembly at his shop and delivered it ready to install. Here is a front view showing the hinged middle tread and the foldaway bottom step.

This shot from the side of the new assembly shows the 'kick back' of the middle riser to give more foot room on the tread. There will be full length cleats and braces to the cabin sole and the existing port side panel to secure everything in place.

Here is the new assembly temporarily set in place against the template (old bulkhead section) for a trial fit. So far so good, ready for final assembly.

The first step was to re-surface the face of the existing side panel. It was a bit gnarly looking due to age and neglect plus we wanted it to match the new wood that would be right next to it. Art put on a sheet of teak veneer that transformed it completely.

Next the new bulkhead section and the steps were fitted. They were screwed and glued on all sides and to the sole. This will be a very solid arrangement. This shot also shows clearly the galley floor space that has been 'liberated'!

View from above before the top tread was installed. Art put in a new shelf extension to bridge the gap between the old shelf (brown paint) and the back of the new middle step.

Finally the top step was installed and 'Viola'......Back to the Future! A 1979 companionway in our 1982 boat! The Old Matelots will fit new edge molding and finish the new wood while re-finishing the original wood and try to get everything to blend together.