A HUGE STEP UP ⛵️ Ep46 - Companionway Stairs Build - SAILBOAT RESTORATION PROJECT

LAHAKAI SAILING // ⛵️ S1 Ep46 // It turned out to be our favorite build in our boat restoration project so far and that's building a new companionway steps for our salvage sailboat. Our companionway stairs are not just for getting in and out of the boat either! They are also an inspection hatch, a storage unit and beautiful made (we don't mind saying ourselves!). Our talented carpenter, Fernando, really hit it home with this boat interior design build and we couldn't be happier with the results!
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[@lahakai]

What has been your favorite transformation in the Lahakai so far??? This one has to be ours! Out of so many fun projects, the results here really changed the whole interior and looked so clean and professional. A big round of applause for Fernando who might have even surprised himself!

[@klazyy641]

I just hope there is a sturdy latch at the top of the cubby panel so that someone stepping on that particular step doesn't force it forward----resulting in a "boo-boo" 🙂

[@philkakid5617]

This entryway step assembly is by far and away my favorite design feature thus far.

[@lahakai]

@@klazyy641 Yes we are looking into a solution for that like a proper but easy to open lock to secure it closed. But not sure if it’s a tall order to fight gravity for the sake of accessibility. We are open so suggestions and creative solutions!! If you know of anything let us know!

[@wallywombat164]

Terrific skills. Do you hear the drum's Fernando?

[@donnawarmouth9329]

Fernando is such a awesome builder!!!

[@cirezane]

I’m a carpenter & that man is simply amazing. His level of skill & detail are impeccable!😊

[@stevenschapera2888]

This is the artistry of a genius. 🙏

[@alleycat5472]

What an awesome set of stairs. He hired :)

[@lahakai]

Fernando comes highly recommended 😉

[@scottadamson2431]

An amazing job that Fernando did he can be very proud of his work and what a great design.

[@orchidhouse297]

Showroom quality and design standard when it is finished. Well done.

[@lahakai]

Glad you like it!

[@davidcogan9163]

Beautifully executed I Love wooden interiors as they give off a warmth David Australia 🦘

[@marvitube7383]

What a great crafty work that is but i think the only change you should make is the center hatch should be opening from the down side and not from the above as far as safety is concerned when anyone steps on it

[@fortza11]

Are you crazy he is good!!!!

[@steveraleigh100]

Fernando did an amazing job with your wonderful design. The steps look beautiful. It'll look like you built a boat AROUND a work of art.

[@lahakai]

Ah what a compliment! Thank you kindly!

[@RafaelH-e8y]

Gosh! I am late here, but that Fernando guy is something special. I have done a few interiors in camper vans and know a bit or two about the brain work and hand skills that is demanded. Fernando has it all! I am very impressed 😀

[@dandrakenholt5455]

Beautiful.

[@sakuradag4978]

Good idea good job.

[@MrJerobona]

Fernando is a miracle carpenter!

[@artzi67]

I like to have that kind of piece of furniture, even I don't have a boat or second floor.

[@lahakai]

😂😂😂

[@ekavoian]

BRAVO

[@klazyy641]

The man is a maestro when it comes to carpentry! I had my doubts (although it was still a wonder to behold at this point) until he put the triangular braces below each step. Genius design and planning for support and for the 'cubby' behind one of the steps. Once it's wrapped up in its final varnish/paint it'll be a focus point for the beauty of the boat.

[@makeknowhow]

Hi guys, a pretty neat design. I understand your decision with that storagedoor folding down, but it's a step too ! These two tiny snappy holders will not withstand your/Luke's weight/force by stepping on it. For safety reasons you better change that. What about a "take-out-version"? Grabbing the step, sliding it up a bit in place and than take it out from below ? I know, it's not THAT convenient but better as a step where you don't know "is it flipping now when i step on it or will it stay in place this time ?!?" Best regards from Berlin, Germany

[@lahakai]

Yeah, it's a bit of a dilemma. Luke is so tall we wanted it to be from the top but there is that nagging concern. That's a nice idea though about removing it... We'll look into that too! Cheers!!

[@davidnichols147]

Fernando did an amazing job on your companionway ladder.

[@lahakai]

Thanks! We will let him know you said so! Cheers!

[@ZPapaGeek]

Fernando is an artist! As well as a grand carpenter.

[@juergenzenner4219]

With all DIY Chanel’s here in the internet, it’s so good to see how professional work in refitting a boat! Love your Chanel really!

[@gmoose777]

I think you need two nice brass shot bolts at the top of that stowage door, the snap clips will work fine while ever you are calmly entering or exiting but add a little stress to your climbing and the uneven force on the stairs will pop them open and broken ankle or worse. they are a thing of beauty though cheers

[@lahakai]

Ah that’s an interesting idea! Even the spring loaded ones, not sure if it’s called the same thing. We will look into that! Thanks!!

[@dfhepner]

Make the stairs swing up to close the hatch like some small airplanes

[@marcelobraz4259]

Great time seeing Lahakai new episode. Congrats for results and have a great father’s day to everybody in the channel.

[@lahakai]

Much appreciated!! 🙏

[@roadhun]

brilliant design work and workmanship

[@bdphourde]

Kudos to Fernando! That is a nicely designed, and beautifully constructed companionway! I really like that! I guess it will become the defacto go-to design for all the DIY boat renovators! Perhaps a spring-loaded beveled rod could be slid into a latch behind the cubby door to secure it closed, and an electrically operated (solenoid) switch, conveniently located, could retract it when you need to open it. When you close it again, the bevel on the end of the rod would be slid to the side as the latch passed by it to move to it to the side and relatch it as the step was lowered. It would operate just like the latch on a door knob.

[@TheOldGuy]

Wow! Great job on the stairs! When you first started I thought you were going to add pullout drawers under the steps for storage. I see you have a few issues with the fold down middle step and maybe you can switch it to drawers instead? Keep At it!

[@lahakai]

Oh we would have loved drawers! We ended up on this design because the supports for the steps left little room between the strips because of the structure. We may switch the side the door opens if we can find a good locking solution. But love the feedback! Keep it comin! Cheers!!

[@gillesgomez3091]

Wow, these stairs are a piece of art. Congratulations to Fernando, he was the right person to achieve this project. He's definitely a talented man and it's great to watch him at work. Like some other viewers, I have some concerns about the 2nd and 3rd steps that could move forward in some conditions, but only you can determine if it could really be an issue or not. I guess you will make many tests before you leave.

[@lahakai]

Thanks! We will pass your kind words on to Fernando! For the step on the cubby we are going to do some tests on that to see what works best, and safest. Ideally we could find a lock that would secure it and keep it opening from above. Worse case we can flip it around. But we totally hear the concerns. Let’s see what we can do!

[@wallywombat164]

❤❤❤❤

[@lahakai]

😄🙌⛵️

[@robertzapatka1082]

That shipwright is absolutely incredible!!!!

[@wallacemairink7688]

Parabéns. Ficou mto bonito,serviço fino de qualidade

[@lahakai]

Obrigado! Avisaremos Fernando! 🙌🙏

[@26tomabb]

I love the whole boat project and the adventures along the way. These steps will certainly be a highlight of the completed yacht. Well done.

[@jjt999]

❤

[@marcoruis]

What a beautiful piece of ‘art’

[@XITAMail]

The centre step should have the hinge at the top of the lid and the clasps at ehe bottom. Over time the current design has the potential to fail as the clasps will weaken - the hinge will however remain strong because the weight of the person using the stairs will pressure the hine and make it stronger.

[@kevinmartin3859]

That is a very nice companion way steps functional and looking great well done with the design

[@gaz-gemw5801]

These guys really amaze me every time I watch them, take care you two😊😊😊😊🇬🇧👍🏻

[@somadevo]

Beautiful. He has great confidence and momentum that keeps refining his gifts to life doing what he Loves. A lots to admire. Highest Blessings

[@lahakai]

Well said! We admire him as well and all the work they do there 🙏 Cheers!

[@somadevo]

After special challenges comes obvious Graca@@lahakai

[@koulamarkidis2145]

Nice work, he is a true carpenter! One tiny thing: the music on the vid is too loud!

[@russellneville7145]

Wow, Fernando is the man. I would absolutely love to do to our boat what you have done to your's. & then have someone like Fernando come along with his amazing work ethic & put his skills to work... Amazing. Keep up the good work 💪 SV Kiwi Lady Opua Bay of islands New Zealand 👍🏿

[@lahakai]

He is pretty amazing huh! Maybe one day he can head over to New Zealand 😉 Cheers!

[@kptbillburkett8735]

Thank You for this week's video. Can't wait to see the Boat under sail. And ya'll sailing the World. Ok until next time, Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii!🌋🍹

[@lahakai]

Thanks so much! We can't wait either!! Hawaii has been in the news a lot. Hope you and loved ones are doing well and our hearts go out to those on Maui 💙💙

[@kptbillburkett8735]

@@lahakai Yes Maui needs our prayers and help. 89 dead and over a thousand unaccounted for. The Entire town is gone. It is so said. The day the fires hit the wind was blowing 40 to 80 knots here on the Big Island. And on Maui, 30 to 60 knots. It just turned the fire in a Inferno. There is just nothing left.

[@lahakai]

Very sad indeed! I've been there as a child on a family vacation and have so many wonderful memories of how beautiful it is there. We hope that everyone gets the help and support needed at a time like this. You are all in our thoughts!! 🙏🙏

[@lahakai]

If there is any particular relief fund that you see is the most effective for helping people there, do let us know! 🙏

[@daveross3491]

Very creative and thoughtful work. I love it.

[@lahakai]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Orion2023.]

That middle step seems problematic. All it would take was a quick step with outward pressure to have it pop open id consider some type of locking mechanism that is more secure than press latches.

[@saufpau]

I love the stairs but I have one concern. I think that the hinges that support the stairs as they go up and down should be of a much heavier grade. I think that you mentioned that the hinges shown were temporary. Hopfully that is the case.

[@philkakid5617]

Are you going to use some type of piston setup to hold the step/engine access assembly in the "up" position? You might find that tremendously helpful!

[@jabirucru6970]

Especially as to the weight. Serious overbuild on the steps thickness.

[@barimedic]

I think I would rather have it overbuilt for the force, weight and amount of use.@@jabirucru6970

[@rogerdinnis3816]

The support brackets under the steps would have looked better if the grain had been run up the face and the edges champhered or rounded, but I am being a tad picky!

[@DonFarmer-hq5sw]

That may be the most complex and well thought out companion way I’ve ever seen ❤ One question… are all the screws made of stainless steel ?

[@lahakai]

They are indeed! 🙌🔩

[@boatlifepassion1823]

👍

[@william6526]

I'm not sure I'd put that much faith in the locking mechanism for the second stair. The only way you will know if it fails is when you take a very nasty fall. I would of figured out a way to install a dead bolt that must be removed before the stair can move or the cabinet to be opened. I would always be very nervous every time I put my weight on that second step.

[@lahakai]

A deadbolt is a nice idea! We are a bit nervous too so we wont finalize this till we come up with a safe solution. Worse case we put the hinge on the top but we wanted to give it a try first. Thanks for the feedback!

[@ShinLeeChan]

The small door on the 2nd step isn't good at all. I understand the need to have an easy access for extra storage, but that opening can fail with extra weight. Being creative it's great, but don't forget: a sailboat must be safe first. Instead to let the door open from top to bottom, would be more safe if it opens from bottom up, in this way when you step on it you don't put too much pressure on the door hinge. Think about it, the force you put on it with all the weight goes always down, the hinge open in the same direction where the pressure comes, in fact if it fails the step will just open up.

[@mickmccrohon]

the hinge is on the wrong end

[@Nasalies1969]

a single hinge on your middle step seems inadequate

[@russellsteedman3293]

Top job, but the furniture and step assembly look very heavy.

[@davidmedley9652]

How much weight are they adding ?

[@lahakai]

These stairs are replacing the original step that was a large heavy box constructed with thicker plywood that was covering a diesel engine. So it’s roughly a 1:1 exchange.

[@kenyonhawk6418]

Why all the wasted space on the sides? It looks like a head knocker with the steps up to work on anything behind the steps.

[@lahakai]

The machine room is just a crawl space under the cockpit so you’ll have to duck down and crawl inside either way.

[@maeilive]

💸💸💸💸💸💸

[@geoffgold6773]

Why wouldn’t you have put the engine in while the access is easy not much between the ears

[@lahakai]

Because we have an electric pod drive motor and it’s external 😉

[@Pattern-Recognition]

The risk is being overambitious and too complicated as a result. These stairs will go through a lot of use and abuse - for days, for months, for years, during storms and rough seas. To me, there are too many moving parts and too many delicate joints, don't you think?