Which way should forehatches open?

[Just_sayin']

Friend of mine is refitting his forehatch.

He can choose which way round it opens.

Looking around a marina doesn’t give a definitive answer.

Obvious pro if the boat is anchored/on a mooring is to have it front opening to aid ventilation but if taking serious water over the deck is there really more chance of it being ripped open, or perhaps it could leak more easily.

Thoughts?

 

[sarabande]

hinges towards the stem. That way, if at a wind-rode mooring the rain will not come in.

 

[MoodySabre]

Rear opening would be my choice - buy a cloth vent thing if ventilation is essential.

 

[NormanS]

This is the Lounge. You certainly won't get sensible answers to boaty questions here. In fact it's not allowed.

 

[Baddox]

Outwards, of course.

 

[Just_sayin']

This is the Lounge. You certainly won't get sensible answers to boaty questions here. In fact it's not allowed.

Reliably informed it's quite ok.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Charter yachts: Marine Guidance Note:
A hatchway with a hinged cover which is located in the forward portion of the vessel should
normally have the hinges fitted to the forward side of the hatch, as protection of the opening
from boarding seas.

Interesting terminology ......should normally....... to me that doesn't mean "must" (but it's only a guidance note.)

Anyone quote what the Blue Code says?

 

[aquaplane]

In the UK the perceived wisdom is to have them hinged at the front edge to minimise rain coming in.

In the med the preferred option is aft hinged to maximise air scoop.

You decide.

 

[jac]

Hinge forward IMHO.

Reduced chance of water coming in if you plough into a wave. Buy a windscoop if you want better ventilation.

 

[webcraft]

Reliably informed it's quite ok.

Apparently not. Fascist forum police have moved all your boaty posts out of the Lounge.

- W

 

[aquaplane]

Hinge forward IMHO.

Reduced chance of water coming in if you plough into a wave. Buy a windscoop if you want better ventilation.

Against that, our pre sailing checklist includes "are all the hatches battened down" so water coming in whilst sailing isn't a consideration.

 

[jac]

Against that, our pre sailing checklist includes "are all the hatches battened down" so water coming in whilst sailing isn't a consideration.

I'm thinking if something goes wrong. Hinge forward means the water acts to push the hatch closed. Hinge aft means the water acts to open the hatch.


In reality I think it makes sod all difference .

 

[aquaplane]

I agree but on my Centaur the hatches hinge aft and I close them.

The Jeneanneau I'm buying the hinges are aft and I will close them down before sailing just the same as the Centaur.

Never had a problem with water making it's way below, can't think why?

 

[macd]

If the hinges are at the wrong end, they can cause echoes:
http://forums.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?268407-Forehatch-opening-which-way

 

[skyflyer]

If the hinges are to the rear and you sail with the hatches open you will only ever do it once, either because you take on so much water you sink or because the effort of drying out everything below that get's soaked will prevent you ever doing it again

 

[Tranona]

If the hinges are to the rear and you sail with the hatches open you will only ever do it once, either because you take on so much water you sink or because the effort of drying out everything below that get's soaked will prevent you ever doing it again

Funny how I managed 14 years with a rear hinged forehatch and never got a drop of water in!

Good air circulation in the Med though with a rear hinged forehatch and forward hinged saloon hatch plus a scoop.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Humm, why not arrange it so that the hatch opens fully to the deck, hinging on one side, that way one can use the hatch as an observation hatch, and see all around your boat when at anchor.

 

[aquaplane]

Funny how I managed 14 years with a rear hinged forehatch and never got a drop of water in!

Good air circulation in the Med though with a rear hinged forehatch and forward hinged saloon hatch plus a scoop.

But did you sail with the fore hatch closed? Considering the amount of time sailing vs at anchor, rear hinged would look like the right option to me.

 

[GrahamM376]

20+ years with 4 boats all fitted with aft hinged fore hatches, never had any water in as closed when sailing. Good ventilation when on anchor pointing into wind.

 

[Tranona]

But did you sail with the fore hatch closed? Considering the amount of time sailing vs at anchor, rear hinged would look like the right option to me.

Not always. Very dry boat and much of Med sailing is in light conditions or motoring so little danger in leaving it open. Of course common sense says close it if any chance of water coming over bows - or dreaded rain!