Hatch for a flush deck

[Gordonmc]

I am looking for a cunning design for a hatch which will be compatible with an elderly lady with flush decks.
At the moment the boat has a Lewmar type aluminium hatch on a (failing) 30mm mahogany mount which takes the convex shape of the deck. The deck itself is canvas on ply. I have water ingress in the joint between the mahogany and deck.
I considered building a traditional peaked hatch as the ali looks plain wrong. But I have to say the low profile of the existing set up gives a handy space for dinghy inflating or just sitting around on.
Yes, I want my cake and to eat it.
Any ideas?


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peterduck]

Maurice Griffiths designed a waterproof hatch [for a hatch should be above all, waterproof] which has yet to be improved upon for a classic wooden yacht. It has a double coaming. I can't give you a particular reference, but I'm sure that it must have been featured in CB's practical section at some time, it's just such an obvious choice. If it has not, then it's overdue. [This last bit's for Houston's benefit].
Peter.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[chippie]

My trimaran has two flush hatches, one forward, and one aft of the cockpit. The hatch cover is plywood over a frame made to the same camber as the deck. This framing is about 65mm smaller all around than the opening.

Underneath there is a square U shaped glassed ply channel around the perimeter of the opening that takes up most of the 65mm, the top of which is the thickness of the ply below the top of the deck, 10mm in my case. The edge of the ply hatch cover rests on this. There is a drain that is piped to the anchor locker , which in turn has a drain overboard. in the bottom corner of the channel . Since I have owned my boat I have replaced these hatch covers as the originals were a bit tired after 30 years. They are relatively simple to make with ply and epoxy.

If made carefully with minimal clearances you probably wont need a gasket as mine doesnt have one and no water gets inside as long as I check that the drain is clear.

If you want any further info or sketches send me a private message with an email address.

If done carefully the ply - epoxy - glass shouldnt be too obtrusive on the old girl.
Cheers.






<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Gunfleet]

There is a drawing and description of it in Hiscock's book Cruising under sail ;-)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[petercrook]

The Pardeies have a completely flush hatch on Taliesin. It's featured in their videos and possibly in their books. They claim the secret is to use refridgerator gasket as the seal, compressed by 'dogs' holding down the hatch.

<hr width=100% size=1>