Wood hatches, rebuild or replace?
- Thread starter cdh4088
- Start date
People have been successful both ways.
I had an adventure replacing mine. Now that it’s done, I’m glad I did it.
It has a much better seal. Lower profile so jib sheets don’t hang up on it. Love the “vent” mode of the Lewmar hatch that locks just slightly open.
I had an adventure replacing mine. Now that it’s done, I’m glad I did it.
It has a much better seal. Lower profile so jib sheets don’t hang up on it. Love the “vent” mode of the Lewmar hatch that locks just slightly open.
Can you add the link to the subsequent posts? I couldn't easily find them.
(Nice description of my entire boating life: The complexity of this fiasco probably cannot be conveyed adequately in the three-photo limit.)
(Nice description of my entire boating life: The complexity of this fiasco probably cannot be conveyed adequately in the three-photo limit.)
For some good commentary and pix, click on the Search icon. Enter "wood hatch' and for the name enter 'Martin King'. Nice list of site links to ponder. That said, I am glad for having alloy hatches, because I am NOT a wood worker at all. 
OK. When I looked it up, they all showed up in a box at the right under “More entries in Glazing - Ports and Windows and Hatches.”
How not to retrofit a hatch: Prelude
How not to retrofit a hatch: Destruction
How not to retrofit a hatch: Installation
kapnkd
kapnkd
The original Teak box styled main salon hatch on our ‘73 E32-II was a pain from the get-go.
The 45 degree corners of both top and bottom halves always worked and leaked regardless of how well maintained and varnished.
We replaced the top with an aluminum framed model and then totally glassed in the new bottom framework.
The results are...no more leaks and a more updated looking lower profile. (We mounted the hatch to open afterward to clear our solid Garhauer Vang System as well.
The 45 degree corners of both top and bottom halves always worked and leaked regardless of how well maintained and varnished.
We replaced the top with an aluminum framed model and then totally glassed in the new bottom framework.
The results are...no more leaks and a more updated looking lower profile. (We mounted the hatch to open afterward to clear our solid Garhauer Vang System as well.
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peaman
Sustaining Member
Any regrets on ventilation? I'm considering a rigid vang, but I'm concerned about reduction in ventilation at anchor.
Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
We also reversed our main hatch due to our Garhauer rigid boom vang on our 1984 E30+. With the main hatch, v berth hatch, head window and companionway hatch boards we have lots of options for ventilation, which has never been a problem.
Frank
Frank
kapnkd
kapnkd
Not really, although the old hatch’s larger size and facing forward DID funnel air volume at an amazing rate by itself. With the smaller V-berth hatch open, it then still allows an excellent cabin flow between the two hatches.
We found, for ourselves, the benefits of a solid vang for a sailing advantage are well worth the change of our hatch opening direction.
FWIW, I reversed our cabin vent hatch also when I replaced it. Lots less chance of spray coming in when under way, too.
At anchor, the size 70 Lewmar forward hatch provides all of the ventilation we would ever need.
At anchor, the size 70 Lewmar forward hatch provides all of the ventilation we would ever need.
Re: ventilation and air flow. I also installed an opening port between the quarterberth and the cockpit footwell. With the V-berth open or in "vent position" and the Q-berth port open, there is nice airflow from end-to-end of the cabin. And the Q-berth is now a much more pleasant place. Lesson learned though - if one does this, one should select a port that has no sharp edges on the spigot, which lurks at ankle level in the cockpit.
Small aliquots of progress: Light and Air to the Qberth
Small aliquots of progress: Light and Air to the Qberth
I've had both on my Ericsons and both have plus and minus, so for me it's a dead heat.
I think what this means is that if you have a solid vang and need to turn it, there's no great loss. Neither orientation will keep spray out going to windward in lively air, since the water comes in either way and the hatch has to be dogged closed, no matter how stifling that can be (thank goodness for the twin dorades on the E38s)..
Forward-facing is probably better at anchor in Florida or Annapolis in summer, when vast volume of air is needed.
Yeah, but wait a minute--if the forward hatch is open, maybe with a wind scoop, a reversed main hatch would probably draw the air out better than forward-facing.
I am arguing with myself. But trust me, I am right.
I think what this means is that if you have a solid vang and need to turn it, there's no great loss. Neither orientation will keep spray out going to windward in lively air, since the water comes in either way and the hatch has to be dogged closed, no matter how stifling that can be (thank goodness for the twin dorades on the E38s)..
Forward-facing is probably better at anchor in Florida or Annapolis in summer, when vast volume of air is needed.
Yeah, but wait a minute--if the forward hatch is open, maybe with a wind scoop, a reversed main hatch would probably draw the air out better than forward-facing.
I am arguing with myself. But trust me, I am right.