oh ok thats the reason? I have been sailing a yacht with hatches hinged at the back for 25 yrs,i just find it strange to see some people fit hatches in the reverse to this.
As well as putting strongest edge towards water shipping green over the bow.
In port or at anchor open to 60deg,two cushions and you've got the perfect reading posn.
All I can say is that anyone who's cruised in hot countries, would damn soon turn their hatches round if they WERE hinged at the forward end!! The difference in ventilation front opening makes is astonishing. Personally I think the idea of forward hinging is a throwback from the days of wooden hatches, which do not appear as strong to me (ok, ok SOME will be!!) and were certainly not as weatherproof.
Like many, many others we've cruised a reasonable amount, and not had the slightest concern over the integrity of this method.
In Australian summer we can expect 30 to 40 degree days while cruising luckily some coastal areas create a beautiful cool afternoon sea breeze, I think it would be hard to direct this free marine aircon into the bow if the hatch was fitted in reverse, after all isn’t the hatch their to air the boat as well as an exit?
That was what i was hopeing to hear. yes each to there own thoughts but i have always been intrested in other peoples thoughts on the matter. i actully think a boat is more atractive with the hatch hinged aft for some reason. just looks right
I would say that for cruising outside 50S- 50N the hinges should be forward to keep spray out, otherwise aft to get breeze in.
A very good arrangement for sleeping in hot climates is to rig a tent-shaped awning over the forehatch from a square of sailcloth. It lets the breeze in but keeps the rain out.
Our greatest asset for hot weather is opening portlights set into the large forward wiindows. When you open them after a trip ashore the temp in the cabin drops 30 degrees in a couple of minutes.
Our Swedish 33 year old boat, of which there were about 1700 built, definitely has hinges to the back. Mind you, the Swedes do have lovely summers, and I'm always glad that they're that way around in the British 'summer'.
I wonder if anyone has given any thought to what difference it would make if you were trapped forward when she sank by the stern, what way would you like the hatch to open??? keeping in mind that many of them do not fully open.
G'day Old Salt
Good Question, how does one know which end will go down first?
or do most yachts go down at the stern first?
Any ways i would be snug in my life raft way before the stern or bow goes down that’s for sure!
[ QUOTE ]
Any ways i would be snug in my life raft way before the stern or bow goes down that’s for sure!
[/ QUOTE ]
Interesting! As a discussion point I would suggest this is the wrong thing to do. Prep the liferaft for sure but stay on your craft until the last possible moment or unless it is obvious that your craft is definitely going down
I'd like my hatch to open quickly ... I don't think it matters which way round it goes ....
It is obvious why coded boats must have the hinges forwards - that way your not relying on the crew remembering to close the hatch ...
If you can remember to close hatches then it doesn't matter so much - until you forget ... then you'll be glad you sleep in the aft cabin!
[ QUOTE ]
G'day Old Salt
Good Question, how does one know which end will go down first?
or do most yachts go down at the stern first?
Any ways i would be snug in my life raft way before the stern or bow goes down that’s for sure!
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes it takes experience to have a controlled sinking, I am quite impressed, will you have a last brew before you go too?
Last brew!!! NO i wouldnt let them go down with the ship i would load the brews into the life raft that way i would have plenty of bottles to send messeges in!
I have also wondered why they hinge at the bow, and was also told it was to keep water out, but who would have it open if it was rough?
I think i am going to turn mine around, as it would let me get at the windless via the hatch, which could be handy getting the anchor back onboard after a days fishing in a bumpy sea.