Hatch in the cockpit

[Scott]

On the 23 has anyone converted the fixed deck hatch in front of the motor well and behind the fuel deck to a working hatch???. Looks like mine was siliconed in place and than removed frequently. I would prefer to have it more accessible with the bilge pumps being down there.......but I dont like the idea of all the washdown/rain water being able to get down through this hatch (no channel to drain off water and even if there were a channel it would drain to the bilge). This was where my batteries resided with access only through the 8" deck plates. Batteries are going under the console.

Also what have you done with the big hold in the deck in front of the console? In my boat atleast it looks like a wet area, as the hatch is split into two pieces and folds as you lift it up. Anybody change this to make it more "waterproof"??

[SEAFARI]

HI SCOTT,
IN MY 23' I LEAVE THE HATCH NEAR THE MOTOR
WELL AS IS. MOST OF THR RAIN WATER RUN OUT THE SCUPPERS IN THE FLOOR. I PUT A SEA VALVE WITH
A THROUGH HULL STRAINER BELOW ONE OF THE ACCESS
PLATES SO ITS EASY TO OPEN THE SEA VALVE FOR
LIVEWELL USE IN THE AM. THE ONE IN FRONT OF THE
CONSOLE IS FOR THE STRIPERS [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
CHRIS

[Scott]

Chris

I didnt think there were to many options for that hatch. And the front hold/well... I really like your Idea for the one YEAH BABY!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Do you have a macerator pump in that well to get rid of striper juice?? I know my well drains to ....yes the bilge. On Silverhawks I think they have a macerator pump and an access plate in that well.

Scott

[Capt Skip]

I have the same dilema on that front fish box. Mine has no drain and gets scooped out as I try to limit any water in the bilge due to the inboard. Bilge water Kills inboard starters.
I have been thinking of adding a Water Puppy and strainer to drain the rear bilge lower then the standard bilge pumps can. I then thought to add a Marelon valve which could be hooked up to the fishbox and pump it overboard as well.
Do you think the fish guts would clog the pump? Maybe I should use a macerator?

[Scott]

Capt. Skip

Well my hold/well drains right to the bilge...So no fish for that box unless its plugged. As far as the macerator it would be the nice way to go but its also something more to fail. Back in the days when I worked on some of the big sportfishers our wells had no mechanical meaans of draining (and money was no object). I usually had to do it by hand. At times it seems like stuff like this is more hassle than its worth.....now that just my opinion...If its not easy to fix its not worth it. There were items on these boats that would need to be fixed every time we did an overnight to the canyons, I would spend a couple of days putting the boat back together, fixing stupid stuff like this. If you want to go with the pump I would start with a strainer on what you have and see how that works ......I mean as long as your not trying to chum with it [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Scott

[mjpay]

I replaced my inspection hatch with a Bomar hinged inspection hatch, same size and color as the original. Go to www.pompanette.com look for the Bomar heading, they come in white,offwhite, and black. Part # G8711
I have a 1985 23' cc in mint shape and wanted to keep the original hardware. the hatch is hinged so you can inspect your bilge pump etc. It will never leak if installed properly. they give you instructions with the hatch.