It's nice of you to bring up this topic. I'm looking at replacing the wood around the companionway with anodized aluminum strips (not as pretty, but lower maintenance) and while I'm at it I could make the modification to do that if I could be convinced it would be a good thing to do. I had forgotten seeing that feature on Howard's Audasea. Also, in the same vein, does anyone have a slick way to pin the sliding hatch on an M-boat in the closed position? Sometimes it likes to creep forward while beating, when the boards aren't in. Tod -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+htmills=bright.net@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Steve Shenkel Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 9:26 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: M_Boats: Removeable hatch I was crouching in the cabin and quite by accident raised up and the hatch popped up. I had been so preoccupied with getting things fixed up on the boat in the 6 months that I owned her that I never realized that the notches in the hatch slides mated up with like notches in the companionway hatch that would allow it to be completely removed. Now the standing head room I was looking for when I found the boat is there-sort of! Jerry was way ahead of Hunter and Catalina on this one! I see the newer models do not have this feature. Does anyone know when it was discontinued and for what reason? Steve Shenkel <>< _/) M17 #263 Glendale, AZ _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats