Seahoods

Dear Fellow Ericson Sailors.

I am in the process of rebuilding, epoxying, glassing and painting, yes painting, my main sliding hatch.

I would love to install a seahood. I have a main hatch from an Ensenada 20 that I salvaged. It is strong, cored, and was build to be walked on.

After I make it prettier and stronger, the $64,000 question is, "How do I attach it?" What does the Ericson community think?

Either a. Fillet to the cabin top with 10 oz. cloth and epoxy.
Pros: strong and solid
Cons: If I have to get to the main sliding hatch, major surgery. To install, I have to grind away the gelcoat on the cabin top...messy to start, but worth it in the long run.

b. Create a wood flange, glassed for strength and water tight,then screw it down to the cabin top with 6" centers and polysulfide sealant.

Pros: maintainable. No messy gel coat grinding.
Cons: the flange is more comlex, maybe weaker?

So...which is the better choice?

Included is a photo of the Ensenada hatch...has nearly identical curve to the cabin top as my E-29 and is nearly a perfect fit for sliding hatch clearance.

Good Old Boat had a couple of nice articles in a recent publication about this very topic.

Thanks,

Sproption
s/v Tranquility

I think there is a thread on this already.
The Jan/Feb, issue 70 of Good Old Boat has a article on making a sea hood.

If the part you have has the clearance it may save you some expense by filling in the slots with glass and resin.

Might be easier (time) to start from scratch.
FWIW

ml