Looking for advice on hatches

MarkD · Post by **MarkD** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:52 pm

Hi,

I originally posted this in the Materials, Sources, and Innovations forum, but it is really more of a question.

This is my first post to the board, but I have read, enjoyed and learned from this forum since I discovered Tim?s Site describing the restoration of Glissando over a year ago. My project is a Tartan 37, vintage 1979.

Last year when the boat yard was removing the mid cabin hatch to fix a leak, the cast aluminum frame cracked and I need to find a replacement. I hope to learn from the Forums collective experience and opinions on hatches.

My Tartan originally came with forward and mid cabin Atkins and Hoyle hatches.

Any experience or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

Post by **Tim** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:15 am

Hi Mark--welcome to the forum!

For hatches, there are of course the obvious choices of Bomar/Nibco and the Lewmar series. Within each brand are several gradiations of durability and quality, with pricing to match. My experience with the less expensive hatches is that they are not that great, and that the higher-end versions tend to be much stronger and work better for a much longer time. Somethere in there is a reasonable combination of price vs. quality.

Another source for very nice hatches is Mariner's Hardware--they look like high-end stainless steel hatches, including custom sizes, which could be handy given the size of the hatch you want to replace. In addition, they have great looking ports and other hardware.

Link: Hatches at Mariner's Hardware

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:09 am

Tin,

At the risk of drifting into the area of "Boat Nerdery", what does

CE Approved. According to ISO/DIS 12216 Deck Hatches are approved for Area II, III, and IV, designs for craft type "any".

mean?

Post by **Tim** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:39 pm

I have no idea.

It must not be important, then. ;<)

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:05 pm

Last summer I had the opportunity to see how Hood Yacht Systems hatches are made when I was at the plant in Tampa, FL. I was very impressed with the quality of these S/S hatches. I do not know how they stack up value wise compared to other hatches.

You can see one of them at: http://www.pompanette.com/pompweb.nsf/5 ... enDocument

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:13 pm

ISO probably stands for '"International Standards Organization". But last I knew they oversaw standards for manufacturing practices and not products themselves.

martin · Post by **martin** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:25 am

I just scrapped the plastic Bomar I installed in June. It leaked like seive from day one around the seal and the latches went weak within a very short time.

I broke down and bought a Lewmar Ocean Series from the folks at Florida Rigging.

The price was better than anyone else and I am VERY happy with the hatch.

It was a little larger than the old one which allowed me to more precisely fit it.

It has a feature which allows you to open the hatch about an inch and latch it allowing ventilation without letting in any rain. Very handy for the sweltering summer here in Texas.

The "glass" is almost 1/2" thick and you could(but I won't) stand on it without fear of falling through.

The flange around the opening is about 3/4" high and the seal is large and fits well.

I have no financial interest in Lewmar or Florida rigging beyond my recent contribution for the hatch........martin