ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I need to put an access hatch in my cockpit floor to allow access to the stern gear and the back of my engine. I don't want it to be intrusive or stick up too far. What do you recommend?
access hatch
- Thread starter ghostlymoron
- Start date
TradewindSailor
Well-Known Member
What boat do you have? How often do you intend to use the hatch?
I ask because placing a hatch in the cockpit floor is a rather problematic solution. The problems:
Watertight integrity when the cockpit is full
Corrosion of anything beneath the hatch as few hatches will actually remain watertight.
Structural integrity : you need to be able to stand on the hatch so you need to provide a structural combing either above or below the deck .... usually above to stop any standing water in the cockpit from entering the space below.
Tripping up or slipping on the hatch.
If the hatch is only going to be opened once in a blue moon and only in harbour you may get away with a soft patch ..... ie the cut out from the cockpit sole reset in the space with additional supporting structure beneath, screwed down on a soft rubber seal.
There are lots of off the shelf inspection hatches available, but it depends on how big an entry you require and how you cope with the problems above.
I ask because placing a hatch in the cockpit floor is a rather problematic solution. The problems:
Watertight integrity when the cockpit is full
Corrosion of anything beneath the hatch as few hatches will actually remain watertight.
Structural integrity : you need to be able to stand on the hatch so you need to provide a structural combing either above or below the deck .... usually above to stop any standing water in the cockpit from entering the space below.
Tripping up or slipping on the hatch.
If the hatch is only going to be opened once in a blue moon and only in harbour you may get away with a soft patch ..... ie the cut out from the cockpit sole reset in the space with additional supporting structure beneath, screwed down on a soft rubber seal.
There are lots of off the shelf inspection hatches available, but it depends on how big an entry you require and how you cope with the problems above.
VicS
Well-Known Member
A moulded cover that fits over, and seals on to, a raised lip or coaming is the ideal solution perhaps. You then need a cockpit grating over the top to make a level surface with no obstructions in the cockpit. For that the cockpit must be reasonably deep in the first place.
Rigger Mortice
N/A
I prefer to have a hatch in the "wall" of my cockpit locker. It's not quite so accessible but it solves all the problems which have been mentioned.
Ru88ell
Well-Known Member
I did just what you are suggesting:
http://cornishyawl.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/new-cockpit-sole-hatch/
http://cornishyawl.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/new-cockpit-sole-hatch/
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I think I'll use one like this http://www.force4.co.uk/1441/Force-...---Cutout--386x442mm--Opening--380x436mm.html . I don't need to get through it, just reach in for maintenance. The boat is a Mirror Offshore motor yacht. The disadvantage is that it will be a slight obstruction in the cockpit but I can't see how else I can easily get at the water pump, stern gland and throttle cables although the previous owners over 40 years must have managed it! Similar to Russel's solution but without the wooden cover.
Seajet
...
Ghostlmoron,
I don't think you'll find that hatch a problem in practice, they're as low profile as possible.
Bainbridge marine do quite a wide range of similar hatches.
I don't think you'll find that hatch a problem in practice, they're as low profile as possible.
Bainbridge marine do quite a wide range of similar hatches.
