Front deck hatch with vent

[SKYCHENEY]

Like most of the MY's, I have that forward hatch that has the integrated vent. I really don't like having that thing stick up on the front deck. If I need ventilation, I can open it. I don't need a vent. It's just in the way. It would be better to replace it with a hatch that was solid and would let in more light. Mine doesn't leak, but I have talked to others who have had problems in heavy seas.

Has anyone replaced that hatch? It would seem that the flat convertible hatches are a better alternative.

 

[ThirdHatt]

GREAT idea, Sky. I agree! Maybe we can get up a group buy from Sam's? This would be the perfect time for me during the re-paint.

 

[Boss Lady]

I am putting in a glass and stainless hatch. It is supposed to show up next week. I will get Paul to put some pictures up when it gets here.

 

[StratPlan61]

I have thought about that same issue Sky because the factory hatch looks so ugly. However, I do actually like the vent for when I am NOT at the boat. It allows some air movement/heat escape with the hatch still secured.
When you open this monster, it sure does let in a ton of appreciated light down below. Maybe your idea is better? I would like something more flat to wash and step around when topside.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[Angela]

I agree that they are not the prettiest things on the boat, but what I do like about the built-in vent is that I can still have the "windows open" when it's raining. On more occasions than I care to admit to all of you, I've left the forward hatch open for ventilation purposes, and woke up to a pouring rain and a flooded crew cabin floor; sometimes I was on the boat doing other things during a down pour and simply forgot it was open.

Everything on a boat is a trade-off, I suppose. Until someone comes up with a self-closing hatch that sensors rain , I think I'll keep my ventilated one, even as ugly as it is. Now, if you want to talk about something really ugly that Hatt did......whose idea was it to put in a sliding glass door, to the aft deck, like you'd find on the balcony of someone's condo? Yes, that was Hatteras thing on some 58s, not something with which someone replaced the pretty french doors.

 

[Starman]

I have ordered a new stainless hatch from my window company for Boss Lady. It is being shipped tomorrow ( wed ) along with the new comapnion way door I designed.

I think the hatch openings are all going to be the same.

It is a "custom size" hatch for sure.

I should have this hatch by tuesday/wed of next week ( comming by truck with the door way )

Will post pics soon as I get it.


Just realized Chris already spoke about the hatch, sorry for the repeat !!

 

[luckydave215]

In my 51 years of boating experience, I've learned that hatches are that part of the boat that's specifically designed to let rain, spray, and bugs in while keeping fresh air out.

 

[Bertramp]

call Slane .......... I just replaced the "scoop" bow hatch and the opaque middle pieces with glass inserts from slane ... much more light ... more contemporary look and a lot nicer.

 

[Starman]

The Cats Meow

CE Approved. According to ISO/DIS Deck Hatches are approved for Area II, III, and IV, designs for craft type "any".

Polished 316 stainless steel Hatches, Low profile.

Will get pricing wed.

 

[doc g]

I cut out the dorade box in mine and put lexan in where the stainless vent was in the front of the scoop,painted the inside and outside and put all new hardware on. It allows alot more lite in and looks alot better also. I was going to cut out the entire scoop and decided against it because the hardware would not work properly,specifically the hold downs in the front. I think you could cut the entire center out and use lexan (3/8") and mount all the hardware on the lexan using the Hatt fiberglass perimeter as a frame. I kinda like the scoop design and decided to keep it albeit with the mods.......Pat

 

[Pascal]

i agree about the sliding doors !!! I love my teak doors tothe aft deck.

about the hatch, i think it's part of the boat, i don't think a modern hatch would look good there on that foredeck. The vent is nice to get a little air in but i dont' like the orangy semi transparent material on the forward half, I've been thinking about replacing it with lexan...

about the weight, how about adding some gas struts ? that shoudl work...

 

[Liquid Asset]

I have been looking to do this since we bought our boat. My front hatch on my sportfish leaks when we get in a heavy sea, and I keep the a/c on, so I dont want the hot Florida air getting in. I put duct tape on the back side of the vent and ti has been there for 2 years, but it is ugly. I would love to find a glass hatch that fit, but I dont know how you could install it and make it look good since the fiberglass ones are designed to go over a lip that is molded in.

I would just like to have a flat hatch up there like the rest of my hatches. No vent.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have thought about cutting out the center and adding a piece of Lexan, but how do you hold it in there? It would need some sort of frame and it has to be strong. People will be stepping on this. I'd be happy with just an original Hatteras hatch like we had on the 43DC.

Angela,
I find it hard to believe that the sliding door on your boat is original. How do you know this? Even if you saw it on more than one 58, it could still have been a mod that was just popular at some yard. I don't recall seeing any brochures from that era with a slider.

 

[Angela]

Sky,

Every 58MY I saw had it. And if you look on the archived brochure on Sam's website, second page of the brochure, there it is!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky,

Every 58MY I saw had it. And if you look on the archived brochure on Sam's website, second page of the brochure, there it is!

Wow, that's crazy. I wonder why all of the other MY's had the double doors and the 58MY had that. I guess I just learned something new.

 

[doc g]

Sky, I think that if you went to 1/2" Lexan it would be fine with people walking on it. That's another reason I did not cut the sccop totally of mine,as it is no one seems to step on it....................................Pat

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky, I think that if you went to 1/2" Lexan it would be fine with people walking on it. That's another reason I did not cut the sccop totally of mine,as it is no one seems to step on it....................................Pat

Pat,
I wasn't questioning the integrity of the Lexan, but rather the way it would be attached to the remaining part of the hatch.

 

[garyd]

Do not use lexan! Wrong application. You would have to get a solar grade which is hard to come by in 1/2" or it will yellow fast. Second it is great for impact by terrible for scratching it would be so scratched up in a year you would hate it.

Use acrylic a good quality at least 1/2 inch thick install it by conventional means but allow space around any fasteners fill the space with acrylic adhesive caulk. If you clean it carfefully it will look good for years. It is also uv stable. It comes in several different colors or tints as well.

We are in the top five users of lexan in the state of Florida and use acrylic as well.

garyd

 

[Angela]

Wow, that's crazy. I wonder why all of the other MY's had the double doors and the 58MY had that. I guess I just learned something new.

I do want the double doors like the other Hatts have. That sliding door is just butt-ugly on a boat. This will be a future project for Starman one day.

 

[doc g]

I was going to cut out the center of the existing hatch and leave a flange about 1.5-2" around the perimeter ie., the horizontal flat part where the seal is and then bed the Lexan/Acrylic to it using 4200. So no screws to leak..........Pat