What on earth is this hatch?

Rivers & creeks

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Messages
10,925
Location
Norfolk
Visit site
Forehatch on the boat has failing hinges. Might be repairable but the yard's opinion is not. A direct replacement would be ideal but I can't work out what on earth size it is! Cut out is about 57cm and it is square and all aluminium. Outside flange edge to edge is 61cm. I've compared sizes on Seateach who lots of sizes and this doesn't match any. Does it look familiar to anyone and is it a standard size?

Thanks.

View attachment 52533
 
I'd looked on the Houdini site and it doesn't match any of their sizes and the Kipper was built in Scotland bless her; in the aft cabin their's a whisky cabinet with bottle holes cut for the various shapes of whisky bottles, holds a dozen :o
 
I'd looked on the Houdini site and it doesn't match any of their sizes and the Kipper was built in Scotland bless her; in the aft cabin their's a whisky cabinet with bottle holes cut for the various shapes of whisky bottles, holds a dozen :o

Only a dozen? Short range vessel then?
 
Definately looks like a Houdini Hatch.
I have bought replacement hinges for a Houdini Hatch before from the makers although they weren't keen to sell direct until I said I was trade.
Later on I replaced it with a Gebo Hatch. The Gebo had sharper corners so no problem modifying the hole slightly for it to fit.
Personally, if you are going for a new hatch I would not go for another Houdini unless the deck moulding was such that it couldn't take the slight modification.
In addition, if the hatch is likely to be walked upon I would avoid low profile hatches.
 
+1 for not going for another Houdini. The issue with them is the "open it with water on it, get drenched" one... The modern hatches (such as the Gebo replacement mentioned in the other thread) are of the "angled edge variety, so that the hinge side gap is protected from run off, and water sits on the hatch less, tempting leaks less...
 
Yes looks like a Houdini. They do custom hatches for manufacturers... perhaps they did for Colvic!

I e-mailed them the other day and got a really helpful response the next day. I'd suggest doing the same and including your photo and measurements - the email is on their website!
 
Forehatch on the boat has failing hinges. Might be repairable but the yard's opinion is not. A direct replacement would be ideal but I can't work out what on earth size it is! Cut out is about 57cm and it is square and all aluminium. Outside flange edge to edge is 61cm. I've compared sizes on Seateach who lots of sizes and this doesn't match any. Does it look familiar to anyone and is it a standard size?

Thanks.

View attachment 52533

Looks like mine?? standard Houdini escape hatch

Mike

View attachment 52594
 
Top