Article by Joshua Wheeler
Have you ever been tucked cozily below and wished you could see astern? Or had more daylight shining below decks? Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, had three companionway dropboards made from 3/4-inch solid teak. They stood the test of time but made the cold, dark winters darker. What if there were transparent dropboards as an alternative? This installment of The Resourceful Sailor explores what he came up with for Sampaguita.
I knew I wanted to make at least one clear plastic dropboard. After reviewing a few design and material ideas, I decided that the best approach was mimicking the dimensions of one of the upper two of three factory boards. The criteria were low weight and cost, water resistance on par with the factory boards, no rattling, and, of course, see-through. The intention was not to permanently replace the present dropboards but to offer options depending on the weather and situation.
