Hatches, what make?

[AndrewD]

I am needing a new forehatch and I find suitable ones in both Lewmar (medium-profile) and Vetus (Libero) ranges. Not a lot of difference in price. Anyone care to express a preference one way or the other - or an alternative? (with rational reasons of course)

 

[[3889]]

I've just replaced a Houdini with a Lewmar. I think Lewmar kit is good quality and the hinge mechanism is excellent. My only gripes are:
They have a rim which has to go inside the cutout meaning the cut out must match the hatch exactly. It would have been a lot easier to have bolted a hatch straight onto the flat deck surface and left the cut out "Houdini size".

It costs an extra £80 for internal finishing trim which is a plastic square. Needless to say, beading does the job just as well.

 

[ColinHuggins]

I had Houdini make a forehatch to order incorporating Lewmar features. Fair price and cheaper than the original!

 

[kandoma]

I replaced mine with a Vetus. The aluminium finish of the Vetus hatch is not great. It works, but thats all you can say.


Peter

 

[sailorman]

Lewmar 100% /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[colvic987]

i fitted a gebo hatch in place of an old houdini, ( the old push latch one, which houdini don't make anymore)..

 

[davidbains]

I've replaced a 24" Meteor hatch with an unsuccessful imperial custom hatch.
Have now replaced that one with a Vetus 6262. Quite impressed with the construction. Softest corners available are 55mm radius, compared to 4" on the imperial hatch.
There is a small 4mm lip/flange , sat just outside my 24" cutout, so I added a 5mm strip to raise the "stand" slightly. Worked well.
The Gebos are available without a flange but are significantly more expensive at £430 compared to £255 for the Vetus.