Hardware replacement for drawers and cabinets

N

nwboater

New member
We have a Tomcat 255...it has the same cabinetry as most other C-Dory models. On our boat, the drawers and cabinets are held in place with a spring latch that is a PITA to pull open (my wife has given up completely). Has anyone replaced the factory hardware with something more user-friendly?

I ordered a brass finger release (elbow latch) but haven't yet found a way to attach the strike, so I would appreciate any suggestions.
 
I also had trouble getting the tension right with the original ball catches. I even removed one ball from the catch to make them easier to open, but my wife still thought the pull force required was too much. No amount of fiddling could hit the sweet spot of easy to open but not popping open when rolled from wake underway.

I replaced my ball catch latches with what I call a crab latch (Sugatsune MC-37). I thought the push force to open these crab latches was a little too light, so I added an extra compression spring adjacent to the latch to make stiffer. I used an automotive drum brake caliper spring, retainer and pin. Ran the pin through a wood block. Now the force is just right. My wife is very happy with these. Its great to be able to open the doors with a knee push if your hands are full. I do occasionally accidentally open the doors if I bump into them hard enough, but it does not happen often.

-Jeff-
 
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