Are canvas winch covers a bit naff

[pvb]

Looks smart - like the winch covers ;-)

but does have some practical advantages.

- stops any scratching and hazing which all hatches are susceptible, especially when the acrylic is brand new!

I'm not convinced that hatch covers look "smart", especially after a year or two. My last boat was 24 years old when I sold it, and the hatches were fine, no scratches, no hazing, despite never having been covered. I guess it all depends on how many decades you plan to keep a boat.

 

[Sea-Fever]

And don't forget the MOB kit.

That one's serious. I've just had to throw away a horseshoe buoy because UV's destroyed the cover. The next one will have a cover, as will the throwing line bag, which used to be dayglo red and is now RYS trouser pink.

Now that's funny.

 

[TernVI]

I'm not convinced that hatch covers look "smart", especially after a year or two. My last boat was 24 years old when I sold it, and the hatches were fine, no scratches, no hazing, despite never having been covered. I guess it all depends on how many decades you plan to keep a boat.

I think the point of hatch covers is to reduce the UV fading the interior?

 

[ip485]

I think hatch acrylic may block UV.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Cut a small fender in half. Won't blow off, goes on or off in a second with one hand, toss them in the sink for the day.

Great idea but there’s a slight problem. Firstly we’ve got eight winches round our cockpit and the sinks not big enough. Secondly, even when we go out for a day sail we like to use the sinks. (Make cups of tea, wash up etc).
As someone said, it’s a first world problem.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I think the point of hatch covers is to reduce the UV fading the interior?

We close the hatch blinds in the cabin.

 

[Dan Tribe]

Those crinoline lady toilet roll covers would be ideal and add a bit of class.

 

[[2574]]

I'm not convinced that hatch covers look "smart", especially after a year or two. My last boat was 24 years old when I sold it, and the hatches were fine, no scratches, no hazing, despite never having been covered. I guess it all depends on how many decades you plan to keep a boat.

Surely it's about where a yacht has been? We've been boat buyers very recently, having viewed several yachts it was evident that those that had spent any extended period of time where the sun shines (Caribbean/Mediterranean) had deck hatches and portlights that were completely shot. Badly crazed to an such an extent that visibility through was badly impaired. I guess also bad crazing would weaken the hatch/portlight?

We were fortunate to eventually find a boat of the preferred type that had been from Holland to Ipswich to Scotland - more chance of being dissolved than crazed!

 

[pvb]

Surely it's about where a yacht has been? We've been boat buyers very recently, having viewed several yachts it was evident that those that had spent any extended period of time where the sun shines (Caribbean/Mediterranean) had deck hatches and portlights that were completely shot. Badly crazed to an such an extent that visibility through was badly impaired. I guess also bad crazing would weaken the hatch/portlight?

Depends, I suppose. My old boat had spent 6 years in the Spanish sunshine, but the hatches were fine. As I recall, though, the hatches were glass.