Perhaps a gentler angle, such as a 3/12 pitch (14.04 degrees) would be a good compromise. Steve Tyree, P-15 In a message dated 6/30/2004 10:04:40 AM Central Standard Time, JazzYachts@aol.com writes: My recollection is this: the M-15 companionway dropboards can be no thicker than 1/2" to slide in the grooves. A half-inch is a pretty narrow "land" where the dropboards meet. When I tried the traditional 45 degree miter between the dropboards, the inclined planes slid down one upon the other and gave the companionway an unpleasant shingled appearance. I backed up and did the finicky rabbets instead. The alignment was improved and it looked better.