Removing the companionway slide is fairly easy.  Once modified it can be removed and replaced in 15 minutes.  Basically 3 steps are required – (1) cut and remove the slide stop  (2) Make a wood plate to match the forward slide facing (toward the mast) and replace the cut off piece of slide.

Pic #1 This is the opening with the slide removed.  I taped the top of the forward wood piece which is actually the slide stop. With the slide fully closed I ran my FEIN Multi-Master over the top of the stop piece and cut the section of slider which hits the slide. (This can also be accomplished by running a long, thin drill over the top and through the slider to give a marking point on the other side of the slide. This will give you a reference point so you can make the cut with a sawzal  from the forward side of the slide. You will be cutting a 36mm piece off the bottom of the slide). Once this cut is made the slide is easily removed aft. 

See pic #2 of what the forward end of the slide looks like. 

You now will make a doubler  forward end piece as shown in pic #3. This will be what the stop piece you cut off will be mounted to. 

Pic #4 shows the piece you cut off glued and screwed to the doubler you just made. 

Pic #5 is a top view of the doubler/new stop. (The blue tape is only to show the connection  point). 

Pic #6 shows the doubler /stop piece being fitted to the slider. (Drilled/screwed/ and then removed). We’re ready for final assembly. 

Pics # 7.8.9 show the slider coming back to meet the doubler which is not connected to anything.  

Pic#10 shows the doubler screwed back on the slider. Slider will open and shut normally and the doubler will move with it. To remove the hatch any time,  you  just remove the hatch cover, back out 6 screws and Viola’ , the hatch slide is out. 

Email me if you have any further questions.

Bill Reynolds – Baidarka Tashiba 40 #149

sail23692@gmail.com