Forward hatch for Centaur

I think you can cut a hole in the orignal hatch and insert a window, I remember seeing a nice example on a web site
 
I think you can cut a hole in the orignal hatch and insert a window, I remember seeing a nice example on a web site

I had a small Westerly with a rounded ended GRP forehatch. One of my schemes, which I never got round to, was to cut the GRP back to a 1" flange all the way round and bond a transparent top on instead. Mine was even darker than normal, as it had white gel coat. I think that's the because the boat had the deluxe interior, with forecabin portholes.
 
Late model Centaurs have a low profile, modern looking forehatch, I think Lewmar - ( and either a perspex or low profile wooden main hatch too ) - SeaTeach chandlery at Emsworth, Hants do a lot of replacement hatches of various makes but be careful to pin them down on accurate dimensions including bolt spacing.
 
An early model forehatch with a new low profile job on top, so doesn't apply to later models; it depends what the OP is looking for, my Dad had a 1979 Centaur - sail no. 2187 with modern style fore and main hatches.
 
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Mine is a 1979 boat, 2391, and has the same hatch as that modified one, before the mods. I think they only did one fore hatch but later boats had a plastic (nylon or polythene, not acrylic AFAIK) hatch in a garage.

I have seen pix of one which looked to be glassed down and a modern hatch fitted in the top of the old hatch. You would have to measure up and find an opening hatch to fit.
 
Mine is a 1979 boat, 2391, and has the same hatch as that modified one, before the mods. I think they only did one fore hatch but later boats had a plastic (nylon or polythene, not acrylic AFAIK) hatch in a garage.

I have seen pix of one which looked to be glassed down and a modern hatch fitted in the top of the old hatch. You would have to measure up and find an opening hatch to fit.

Dad's 1989 Centaur had a lower profile grp hatch - sorry, looking at the photo I was wrong thinking it was a Lewmar job, but a much lower profile than earlier versions - I think standard by then - and a companionway sliding top hatch of perspex, I remember this as sadly she was broken into, destroying the hatch; not so sadly, the scroat left a lot of blood on the remaining hatch bits !

A chum I sail with now has a 1989 Centaur, she has the modern low profile forehatch but a low profile wooden sliding top on the main hatch, I assume pespex or wood was an option ?


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It was 1980 the year after mine, but we aren't to 9 years here and there.

There is one on Apolloduck with a modern hatch mounted in a wooden frame where the original hatch was. That boat has several interesting mods, I like the cave lockers and gas locker.
 
Thanks all - mine is a tatty 'new style' hatch - the Houdini 50 is probably about right. Just a couple of mill wrong can make an easy job horrible - what I really need is for a chandler to lend me one for a day or so.... Cheers, T
 
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