Berth Locker Lid fasteners

[muzzaman]

I am looking for inspiration here.

I want to find a sort of turning fastener/ latch to secure my flat wooden berth locker lids in place. I have lockers under the various berth cushions on a Sadler 32 and I want to be able to secure them into place in a low cost way. At the moment the lids just lie flat onto the GRP berth in a slight recess.

If the fasteners are too large on the top it will protrude into the berth cushion with the possibility of ripping the cloth so I want to avoid this.

I have searched for some time but have not found the ideal solution. If anyone has any info on what they have done or have any creative solutions that would be really useful!

Many thanks.

 

[Tranona]

Not sure why you would want to do that. The access arrangements you have are pretty standard. However if you want to secure them down then a finger hole to a birdsmouth catch on one side and either hinge or a locating batten the other would work. Two turnbuckle catches on opposite sides would also work and don't think the small protrusion would be noticeable through the bunk cushions.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

There might be something here, but I don't know where you would get it from.......http://www.southco.com/en-gb/product/hierarchy.html?hid=7514

 

[cliff]

http://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?STAINLESS-HATCH-FINGER-PULLS--DECK-CATCHES-&l=0000000283 - Stainless and expensive

http://www.southco.com/en-gb/e5 - cheap and cheerful - chrome plated

http://www.southco.com/en-gb/e5 - low profile ones

 

[vyv_cox]

Dzus fasteners will do what you want http://www.southco.com/en-gb/product/hierarchy.html?hid=7345. I see Cliff has linked to the same company but a different page.

I assume your lids are the same as mine on a Sadler 34? In 20 years not one of mine has ever lost it position, either retained by the cushions above them in the forecabin, or cushions plus Velcro in the saloon.

 

[RupertW]

I've just bought 30 x 50mm turnbuttons off Amazon to do just that.

Like Vyv I have never seen them come off in any weather in any boat but I've always been a bit worried about cans, glass bottles and tools flying around the cabin if there was a complete knockdown or capsize - making a very bad situation far worse.

Seeing the crash test boat article just confirmed that, so 2 years on its finally near the top of the "to do" list.

 

[muzzaman]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks - very useful indeed.

 

[muzzaman]

I've just bought 30 x 50mm turnbuttons off Amazon to do just that.

Like Vyv I have never seen them come off in any weather in any boat but I've always been a bit worried about cans, glass bottles and tools flying around the cabin if there was a complete knockdown or capsize - making a very bad situation far worse.

Seeing the crash test boat article just confirmed that, so 2 years on its finally near the top of the "to do" list.

Rupert, do you have a link to the ones you purchased?

 

[RupertW]

Rupert, do you have a link to the ones you purchased?

2 packets of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DUFMVJK/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PIKE PRO.TOOL XDV1180PPT TURNBUTTONS, 2", ZINC (Pack of 15)

 

[Martin_J]

I've have used the simple turnbuttons like RupertW has just posted.. Cheap, simple and just a few minutes to fit (so you might actually get around to fitting them!)

As you say - I was worried about damage to cushions... They do appear to make a small indent in the bottom of the cushions but I have not noticed them doing anything near tearing the fabric.

One option if there is still a worry could be to stick a small circular patch of a more durable material at those points in the cushion.

I'm not sure how you'd get most of those other posted latches to work in a simple way to just hold locker lids down - especially as you'd need a few on each locker lid (or a hinge as well).

If others are wondering how necessary these are then perhaps take a read of the ISAF Offshore regulations where they say that lockers containing heavy items (e.g. tool kits) must be able to be latched closed.

 

[muzzaman]

I've have used the simple turnbuttons like RupertW has just posted.. Cheap, simple and just a few minutes to fit (so you might actually get around to fitting them!)

As you say - I was worried about damage to cushions... They do appear to make a small indent in the bottom of the cushions but I have not noticed them doing anything near tearing the fabric.

One option if there is still a worry could be to stick a small circular patch of a more durable material at those points in the cushion.

I'm not sure how you'd get most of those other posted latches to work in a simple way to just hold locker lids down - especially as you'd need a few on each locker lid (or a hinge as well).

If others are wondering how necessary these are then perhaps take a read of the ISAF Offshore regulations where they say that lockers containing heavy items (e.g. tool kits) must be able to be latched closed.

Rupert / Martin

My brain is taking some time to kick in tonight........did you have to fit these to the underside of the locker lid and, if so, how do you access them to secure the lid.

 

[RupertW]

Rupert / Martin

My brain is taking some time to kick in tonight........did you have to fit these to the underside of the locker lid and, if so, how do you access them to secure the lid.

No, on upper side of the surround

 

[Martin_J]

As per RupertW

On the upper side of the surround in two places.

When installed on the two opposite sides of a locker lid it was enough to keep the lid in place.

 

[Graham_Wright]

There might be something here, but I don't know where you would get it from.......http://www.southco.com/en-gb/product/hierarchy.html?hid=7514

Best of luck!!

I spotted some recessed door handles on their site. I asked for a source and received a reply, I think, from Sweden. The language was impenetrable and the currency unknown.

Contacting Southco themselves they referred me to Zygology. They quoted £10.50 each against a quantity of 100 and a lead time of 75 weeks! I only asked for two.

 

[timmygobang]

These look very interesting

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/21-2689?gclid=CKSbyO-6sL4CFcPMtAod3WMACQ

They look like they're adjustable to me