CP 27 Cockpit grate

[deisher6]

Hey, do either of the C-27's at Duck Creek have cockpit deck grates? 
If so would you mind if I step aboard and take a few pictures.  I just bought some 2inx2inx8ft teak scraps and am ready to try my hand at making one.

Thanks.

regards charlie

[BobK]

I can take pictures of mine tomorrow if that will help.
BobK

[deisher6]

Hey BobK:
I would appreciate any pictures that you post.
Do you keep your boat at Duck Creek?

Thanks.

regards charlie

[BobK]

I keep my boat on Lake Hartwell in SC.  I missed your reply this am but will take pictures this week when I go sailing again. 

[deisher6]

Thanks Bob.
regards chalrie

[deisher6]

Thanks again to Bob.  He sent several pictures to me of the deck grate in his C-27.  I have made three of grates, the first shown here was for a C-23.  It was also a coffee table top for 16 years now wall art.  



The grate that I made for our C16 was similar to that one.  The teak stock for this project were 4, 2inX2inX 8 ft 'cut offs' from the lumber mill. There was not enough lumber to make this sort of grate although I like their looks a little more.   Here is a picture of one of the left over pieces of the stock.



First cut the 2x2's to 1 inch over the required length, then cut each into 1/2 inch thick slats.  Then eased all four edges with a 3/16 round-over router.  Then cut to exact length.  Using table saw top, rip fence, and oak scrap clamped to the edge for a square jig, glued (Titebond III) and screwed (3/4 #10 ss) the grate together. It is important to stagger the screws in the cross pieces.  One of them split on me.



The actual first step is to make a pattern of some sort, landscaping fabric was what was on hand.  The grate is in two parts to accommodate the steering pedestal and guard.  The aft grate was assembled then the opening cut out with a saber saw, wish that I had a ban saw.



Sanded everything up with 150 gr. Eased some of the edges with the sander then more with bench mounted router round-over.  Radius-ed the four outside corners using the glue bottle for guide abut 2in diameter.  Then cut off a 45° strip on the 4 bottom outside edges.  This gives a tight fit from side to side and allows for the molded corners in the cockpit.



Finished up with sanding and cosmetic stuff.  At the marina this morning to fit.....dropped right in.



Have to show off new drop boards too.  Both projects took up two retiree days and a $350 in teak.



regards charlie

[BobK]

I wish I had your woodworking skills.  Looks great!
BobK

[Harrier]

Aside from cosmetics, is there any functional value to the cockpit grate?  I've always thought it would create more of a hassle.  Just curious about the interest in them.

[Bob23]

My thoughts exactly, Harrier:
   I was gonna make one for my 23 but then I asked the same question: Why? So I could drop my beer bottle caps down in the spaces? They do look very nautical but I think I'll put my efforts into something else.
Bob23

[capt_nemo]

They have a very important FUNCTIONAL VALUE in the Sun Cat cockpit.

Water sometimes spurts up out of the centerboard pennant tube which terminates at the cockpit sole allowing water to accumulate enough to wet the sole, making it slippery and unsafe for bare feet, and also wet the halyards and mainsheet ends which can find themselves on the floor.

A simple, inexpensive, yet effective cockpit grate, keeps everything dry and makes sailing more enjoyable.

This translates to FUNCTIONAL VALUE!

capt_nemo

[Bob23]

I knew there was a reason. Thanks. Of course without a centerboard, thats not a problem with us 23 guys and I rarely get water intruding back in through the scuppers but a grate would solve that problem. One reason I didn't want one was the increased weight at the stern. 23s benefit from a bit of added weight up front so adding any unneccesary weight aft seems to be a negative. But they look cool!
Bob23

[deisher6]

I think that the gratings are like rugs on a floor, look good and cover up the crud that collects on the deck.
regards charlie

[BruceW]

I used to raise my Suncat grate via bed slat type boards so my son could sleep in the cockpit.

I might like to make one for the CP 23 for similar reason.

Made a grate out of cedar fencing  for my Slipper 17; never used it for the bed, since I sold the boat. However, I am thinking those fence pieces were pretty thin for that. I think I'd use cedar again, but thicker lumber.