Replacing wheelhouse hatch with a transparent one

[nevis768]

I sail all winter in my Mascot 28 and like the wheelhouse hatch shut when it's pissing down or Baltic, due to becoming soft in my old age. Problem is, I can't see the windex with it shut, any ideas for a transparent one, and can you stand on them, you can stand on the present one, although I avoid doing so. I haven't measured it yet, apologies for the lack of that vital info.
The other issue is, you can't always open the hatch for a quick look if the boom is in the way, so transparent makes sense for winter sailing in freezing but Bonnie Scotland.
I've seen some advertised by Lewmar, are they good?

 

[Stemar]

The cheap and cheerful way would be to cut a hole in the existing hatch and fit a Perspex cover - screws and sealant will hold it down. Drill oversize holes for the screws in the Perspex to allow for expansion.

If you need to be able to stand on it, just make it thick enough, with bevelled edges so lines don't catch.

 

[Tranona]

Without seeing the details of the existing hatch difficult to give any concrete advice. There are several suppliers of acrylic hatches - Lewmar, Vetus, Gebo, Rutgerson, Houdini as examples but you will need to check if the dimensions fit your hatch opening as changing that is often a big job. The alternative as suggested is to cut out the top of the existing hatch and replace with acrylic (perspex) or polycarbonate. You may find however that you need to strengthen the existing lid. The strength of the perspex or polycarbonate is not an issue as that is what is used (normally 6mm) in ready made hatches, but it needs to be well supported around the perimeter and sealed down.

 

[nevis768]

Thanks for the advice both, I will post some photos when I go back in a couple of weeks. The suggestion to cut the existing hatch might be best, but I will see if there is a good fit off the shelf.

 

[crewman]

Roger Taylor of Jester Challenge fame fitted a clear dome to his hatch. Gave a better view and a bit of increased headroom.

 

[Boathook]

Depending upon the hatch you might be able to remove the tinted perspex and replace with clear.

 

[dansaskip]

Yes transparent hatch gives more light below although limited view unless it is a dome as others suggest. Just beware of the danger of a transparent hatch (a flat one) is that you can forget it is shut and bash your head trying to exit. Been there done that.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a polycarbonate see through hatch on my previous boat that I could jump up and down on.

On my current boat I have a 10 mm perspex hinged hatch in the bomini over my outside steering statin so I can see the sails and windex

I also have 2 Gebo Hatches in the roof of my wheel house that allows me to see the sails and windex from my inside steering station Gebo hatches can we jumped on as well

 

[LittleSister]

Roger Taylor of Jester Challenge fame fitted a clear dome to his hatch. Gave a better view and a bit of increased headroom.

That was fairly common for 'adventure' offshore sailing back in the 60s/70s.

 

[Refueler]

I have a semi transparent hatch .... I can see out and in ... its tinted to reduce sun glare etc.

Its large ... I would not like to test it by standing on it ... I am quite sure it would not last long.... with my 105kgs.

Do I like it ? mmmmmm 50-50 to be honest ... if it wasn't already there when I bought the boat - I don't think I would be measuring up to have it. Because its already there ... it can stay ... but I may create a 'blind' to attach to reduce light shining in at night ...

 

[nevis768]

Thanks for the picture refuel, mine is quite small in the wheelhouse, but I need to be able to see the windex/sail through it. The light coming in for sleeping is not an issue in this location.

 

[Refueler]

Thanks for the picture refuel, mine is quite small in the wheelhouse, but I need to be able to see the windex/sail through it. The light coming in for sleeping is not an issue in this location.

In a protected W/H ... then standard UV resistant Perspex is good enough ...

Most W/H - it would be very difficult to squeeze onto the hatch to stand on it !!

A picture of your W/H and hatch area might help us ??

Is it like this >



Mascot Boats Mascot 28

 

[Tranona]

Here is one with a clear (tinted) hatch Photo No 6
scanboat.com/en/boat-market/boats/sailing-boat-mascot-28-17441563

 

[nevis768]

Thanks for that Tranona, that photo 6 is like mine, and obviously had the replacement done, only 1 hatch on mine above the wheel. I attach a couple of mine now

 

[nevis768]

And
I'll post dimensions after next weekend