Locking the Companionway Hatch

[Stemar]

On Jazzcat, we have a door with a yale lock to go indoors (it isn't below on a Catalac!) and a sliding hatch maybe 1m 20 wide that slides around a metre. Currently, it's locked closed with a small bolt fitted to the saloon roof at the forward end, which is awkward to use and less than totally secure.

I've thought about a bolt on the inside of the aft bulkhead, but those I've seen that aren't too intrusive don't go up far enough, as there's a gap of about 10mm filled with a rubber seal, so the bolt would only bear on the rubber. My other idea is an oversized version of this,

but made of wood, which would be big enough to bear against the whole of the height of the vertical bit of the hatch.

Any suggestions for a better way? I'm not looking for total security, as a determined thief will get in no matter what I do, but I do want sufficient to keep a casual thief out

Sorry if it's difficult to visualise - I tried to make a diagram, but my CAD skills just aren't up to it!

 

[William_H]

Just to point out (and make it more difficult) yacht racing requirements call for the ability to lock the hatch from inside but able to be unlocked from outside. This would probably preclude the lock being used for security. On my little boat the hatch cover has turn downs on all edges. A stainless steel rod aboout 4mm pass es through the outer frame with a bend to make a handle outside and a bend up to catch the sliding hatch cover to stop it sliding forward. So can be unlatched from inside or outside. The drop in wash boards are locked in place by a rope with clam cleat on inside which can be reached from outside with sliding part pushed forward. All rathe rdesirable I would think on cat where you might capsize completely with people on inside and people on outside. (horrible doesn't bear thinking about) ol'will

 

[Stemar]

I don't think I'll be racing a Catalac! In any case, the hatch has enough resistance to sliding that I can't imagine a circumstance when I'd want to lock it at sea. As for the risk of capsize, AFAIK, no one has ever managed to fly a hull on one, never mind tip it over. The designer has been quoted as saying that if anyone ever does, he'd give 'em a new boat.

What I want is something that will be tidy, and secure enough to discourage thieves, without a determined one destroying the door to find there's nothing worth stealing inside.

 

[Boathook]

I've got a sliding bolt on my hatch up by the door. Its reachable from outside when the hatch is shut. It also allows me to lock the hatch open as it has slid before now.

 

[peter gibbs]

I don't think I'll be racing a Catalac! In any case, the hatch has enough resistance to sliding that I can't imagine a circumstance when I'd want to lock it at sea. As for the risk of capsize, AFAIK, no one has ever managed to fly a hull on one, never mind tip it over. The designer has been quoted as saying that if anyone ever does, he'd give 'em a new boat.

What I want is something that will be tidy, and secure enough to discourage thieves, without a determined one destroying the door to find there's nothing worth stealing inside.

Security is one thing. Deterrence is another. As you say, a determined thief will lever himself into most boats. I have a large brass padlock that secures through the leading edge of the sliding hatch when overlapping the drop in wash board, so neither can move.
The original Yale type lock in the top of the washboardl looks elegant but is a push over so no deterrent.

 

[Neeves]

We are on a swing mooring. We have aluminium framed patio doors. A conventional door lock

We have 'U' bolts at either side of the doors, to attach tethers when we exit the saloon. We have a stainless steel tube Yale padlocked across the doors and attached to the 'U' bolts.

They bolt cropped the 'U' bolts and jemmied the doors.

The police took finger prints - rubber gloves. A professional team. Never caught

2 years later entry was through the hatch 350mm x 200mm (to me, 68kg, unbelievable, to one of the water police - quite possible) left ajar for ventilation. We were specifically targeted as the next day we were du to leave for Tasmania. They emptied us of all food and drink.

They were caught, backpackers, in court, on a plane back to Europe within a week.

Discourage but you cannot stop them.

Jonathan

As an aside - when we were installing the tether 'U' bolts either side of the double doored entry to the saloon I also installed 2 'U' bolts in the roof that extends from the saloon over the cockpit and later two ring bolts. The boom and mainsheet are just aft of the roof, with the traveller across the transom. Originally the intention was to allow the door tether to be moved to the 'U' bolt near or at the helm. This is still possible but with 4 attachment points in the cockpit roof we have strung 10mm rope, so it forms a rectangle and makes an ideal handhold when its rough (and laundry line when its fine).

 

[Refueler]

I've seen companionways chainsawed out as well as bolt cropped .. as Stemar says - determined thief will get in .....

My Snapdragon - had the forehatch forced - then internal door kicked through ... they never touched the main companion hatch.

My present boat - the sliding hatch extends about 15cms past the washboards it covers. The vertical face 15cms before end has the U clasp that then passes through a stainless plate in top washboard ..padlock then through the clasp.

I have a magnetic strip alarm inside - caravan / RV / Window unit - that is activated by a small remote I carry ... believe me - you do not want to be in cabin when it goes off !!

Other than that - I do not secure further - having surveyed and written too many sad reports of damage by thieves to boats.

 

[pyrojames]

I use Gravelly catches to secure locker doors at sea. They have a spring so that they rotate and "click" every 90 degrees, so they don't vibrate undone. They might suit your needs. I came across them because my daughter got into horses (then the wife). Seem to be mostly used in horse boxes/trailers.

Gravelly Fastener Swivel Toggle Catch Lock Trailer Number Plate Clip Medium 5056133394207 | eBay

 

[Stemar]

I use Gravelly catches to secure locker doors at sea. They have a spring so that they rotate and "click" every 90 degrees, so they don't vibrate undone. They might suit your needs. I came across them because my daughter got into horses (then the wife). Seem to be mostly used in horse boxes/trailers.

Gravelly Fastener Swivel Toggle Catch Lock Trailer Number Plate Clip Medium 5056133394207 | eBay

Now that looks like a good idea! I found some bigger ones (45mm dia), so I just need to check how they'd fit.

 

[Refueler]

I use Gravelly catches to secure locker doors at sea. They have a spring so that they rotate and "click" every 90 degrees, so they don't vibrate undone. They might suit your needs. I came across them because my daughter got into horses (then the wife). Seem to be mostly used in horse boxes/trailers.

Gravelly Fastener Swivel Toggle Catch Lock Trailer Number Plate Clip Medium 5056133394207 | eBay

I have one that locks my Forehatch down. When the spring eventually weakened - I just put a shim under the standing part to make the latch hold tight again.

you can just see it :

Here's the part with shim :

Photos taken when re-lining the forecabin ..

 

[dgadee]

Security is one thing. Deterrence is another. As you say, a determined thief will lever himself into most boats. I have a large brass padlock that secures through the leading edge of the sliding hatch when overlapping the drop in wash board, so neither can move.
The original Yale type lock in the top of the washboardl looks elegant but is a push over so no deterrent.

That is my approach, too. Squire do a combination lock with a long shackle. Been in use for 6 years and still in good shape.