It was a factory option. *Something like $750.00 in 82 if I recall what I read. *I have seen pictures of a 34 LRC with the door on YW. *I have been collecting pictures, *It was on the starboard side. *My boat is in Kentucky at the moment and I'm in Iowa, so I am seeing this by memory. * And, I have only been on the boat three days, having just bought it. * From the pictures the bottom of the opening is 3 to 4 inches above the cockpit floor. *The cockpit floor is fairly shallow relative to the sides, so I doubt the door is over 18 inches high. *From an engineering perspective, I don't see the opening weakening anything to a significant level, assuming that one does a good and proper job of glassing the opening jams. *payng attention that the jamb surfaces are tied well to the transom glass and the cockpit liner. *I anticipate I would fill the void between the transom and the cockpit liner with spray foam. *I think it would be smart to mount the hinges before cutting the door out to assure good alignment afterwards. * The jams look to be 'square' to the transom (that is perpendicular to the tangent to the transom radius) on the hinge (outboard) side. *slightly downhill inside to outside at the bottom. *And at roughly a 60 deg angle on the opening (inboard) side. This allows the door to swing clear.I haven't figured out the tool of choice for cutting the opening, but getting it straight, and matching the inner and outer cuts will be critical. * Something on the order of a 2 inch radius in the lower corners will be needed. *The good news is that the actual cuts will need th be roughly 3/8" wide or more to allow for jam glass attachment, so they can be straightened after cutting some if need be.
I just wish I could find some close-up pictures. *I haven't yet tried to contact anyone from Marshall. *I have heard they are helpful.
If I take this on this summer, I am planning to, I will document the process with pictures.
