Should I hinge my aft hatch?

Reel Smoker · #1 02-25-2003, 11:52 PM

Billybob, I would'nt put hinges on that deck. You really should have that hatch caulked and sealed if not water will get in there and into the bilge.I, like Briguy put my batteries under the console by doing this you dont need to get in their anymore.I took those round hatch covers out and reglassed the holes matching the non-skid deck. One less thing to worry about.What year is your boat? RS.

Scott · #2 02-26-2003, 12:49 AM

Hey RS how ya doin ??? Boat looks great !!!!

I'm pretty sure BB cant glass those pie plates shut as that is the only real access to the bilge and the pumps....I know I cant do that .... I dont like that hatch either but it is essential for bilge access i.e.thru-hulls, bilge pumps etc The pie plates really limit your ability to do anything down there but to seal that hatch you need them... and on my boat any water on the deck drips down on the aft end of the fuel tank..Like Ed said if anything to improve it might be the larger Bomar hatch.....and the batteries...I like them under the console

Billybob · #3 02-26-2003, 11:59 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions.I've thought of putting the batts in the console, but I hate to use up my limited space because I have the small console (RS, I have a 73 - Bill Sirotnak's in the photo section).Plus, I have a shoot thru transducer down there, the pumps and float switches, and I plan on putting a seacock down there.I would plan on gasketing the hatch as best I could and figure very little water would get down there (perhaps easier said than done).It's a small hatch as it is so putting in a Bomar type wouldn't allow me to pull the batts anyway - but it would give me access to the rest of the stuff.Think I'll try hinging it and see how good the seal works.

Reel Smoker · #4 02-27-2003, 01:03 AM

BB,yeap thats probably what I would do them it will be easier to get in there.Scott was it you that wanted a poster from this bar in Key West?RS.

Scott · #5 02-27-2003, 01:42 AM

Billybob....let us know how it works out. At one point thats what I was thinking .... making that lip that the hatch sits in as "Fair" as possible then gasketing it and putting in two compression latches to aid in "sealing" it. I'm sure not water tight but alot better than it is now. I forgot that you had that console.

RS ..... Ummm depends on the poster [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ...But seriously I dont think I asked you for a poster.