14 replies to this topic

[12 metre]

My old Lewmar Super Hatch (circa 1980) is leaking and they don`t sell the seals any more. It is a small hatch (about 13 in x 18 in) about equivalent to their Size 30. I don`t use it for spinnaker douses since we launch and dowse fom the companionway, and even if we wanted to, it is too small in my opinion.

So, my question is, can anyone think of a reason to stay with such a bow hatch, other than for ventilation or perhaps lighting purposes. I`m considering glassing over the opening with glass and core cell. It will give the boat a slightly improved aesthetic, eliminate a hangup point for things like jib sheets and eliminate the potential for future leaks. Any downside to glassing it over. I mean other than the labour involved.

[casc27]

Other than the loss of ventilation I can't think of any downside to eliminating the hatch opening. Or you could enlarge it to fit a new hatch and use it to launch the kite.

[12 metre]

Other than the loss of ventilation I can't think of any downside to eliminating the hatch opening. Or you could enlarge it to fit a new hatch and use it to launch the kite.

That is my thought as well with regards to ventilation. Actually, I much prefer the companionway launch/douse (with pole stored on the boom) since it is pretty much foolproof as it eliminates bow spaghetti.

[tommays]

I think you might be a bit surprised at how much of a dark cave it turns the bow into

[Moonduster]

Might want to check ISAF Cat 1 and Cat 2 rules about how many person-sized hatches are required to race the boat offshore. I'm not certain, but I seem to remember something about requiring two.

[vmg]

Consider a galley fire onboard and means of escape

[Rail Meat]

Might want to check ISAF Cat 1 and Cat 2 rules about how many person-sized hatches are required to race the boat offshore. I'm not certain, but I seem to remember something about requiring two.

Cat 1 absolutely required a forward hatch. Not certain about Cat 2.

[tenders]

I'm certain that the hatch can be resealed if you want to keep it and not replace it with a newer, perhaps larger, one. Try these guys:
http://www.selectpla...x.php/Home.html
I would not close off that hatch either. Ventilation and access are critical design concerns.

[12 metre]

Might want to check ISAF Cat 1 and Cat 2 rules about how many person-sized hatches are required to race the boat offshore. I'm not certain, but I seem to remember something about requiring two.

Cat 1 absolutely required a forward hatch. Not certain about Cat 2.

Good point. I doubt I'll do anything above Cat 4 though. Besides, I doubt that a 13" x 18" hatch would qualify as an escape hatch - who could fit through that? I wonder if the insurance company would have an issue with it as well? I noticed the Martin 242's don't have a forward hatch. Nevertheless, the more I think about it, the more likely it is that I will just replace the forward hatch. As far as sending it out for a rebuild, it would likely cost almost as much as a new one. I can get a similar sized polycarbonate 900 Series Bomar for $270.

Any opinions on the Bomar polycarbonate hatches?

[Throatwarbler-Mangrove]

Any opinions on the Bomar polycarbonate hatches?

Buy a lifetime supply of spare parts. I had to replace a 12-year old Bowmar hatch once because parts were no longer available.

[voodoochile]

I'm for a larger hatch. Companionway retrievals are a mess at roundings and necessitate repacking the kite...or do you have a basket that slides out of the way in the cabin ceiling? Otherwise, hatch launch/retrieve into a forward basket is a lot easier, cleaner and faster (in my opinion!) Oh, and I'm 200 lb. but I'm pretty sure I could get out of a 13 x 18" hatch if my ass was on fire.

[Christian]

Might want to check ISAF Cat 1 and Cat 2 rules about how many person-sized hatches are required to race the boat offshore. I'm not certain, but I seem to remember something about requiring two.

Cat 1 absolutely required a forward hatch. Not certain about Cat 2.

All boats built after 1995 and over 28 feet must have 2 exits for cat 4,3,2,1 and 0 - forward exit must be forward of the mast unless structure prohibits it.




3.06 Exits - Monohulls





Mo0,1,2,3,4

3.06.1 Yachts of LOA of 8.5 m (28 ft) and over with age or

series date after January 1995 and after shall have at

least two exits. At least one exit shall be located

forward of the foremost mast except where structural

features prevent its installation.

Mo0,1,2,3,4

3.06.2



Yachts first launched on or after January 2014 have a

hatch with the following minimum clear openings in

compliance with ISO 9094:

Mo0,1,2,3,4

- Circular shape: diameter 450mm;

- Any other shape: minimum dimension of 380mm

and minimum area of 0.18m2. The dimension

must be large enough to allow for a 380mmdiameter circle to be inscribed.

The measurement of the minimum clear opening is

illustrated in Figure 1.

3.06.3



when first launched prior to January 2014, if possible

have each escape hatch in compliance with the

dimensions in OSR 3.07.2(a)(ii);

[12 metre]

I'm for a larger hatch. Companionway retrievals are a mess at roundings and necessitate repacking the kite...or do you have a basket that slides out of the way in the cabin ceiling? Otherwise, hatch launch/retrieve into a forward basket is a lot easier, cleaner and faster (in my opinion!) Oh, and I'm 200 lb. but I'm pretty sure I could get out of a 13 x 18" hatch if my ass was on fire.

Yes, it is launched/doused from a basket, so no repacking, and with the pole stowed on the boom, no need to worry about the genoa sheets being clear. So easy, although the launches/douses themselves are a little bit less clean than with a bow setup sue to the friction of the spin draggin across the foresail

The boat was launched in 1981, but I haven't checked out the regs for boats built then. A bigger hatch would be a pain since the existing cutout is on a raised molding and the deck is solid glass in the area of the existing cutout. To enlarge would entail cutting into the foam cored (Klegecell)part of the deck, which I would really rather avoid doing if possible. If it helps, I've included a photo

Attached Files

•  2009-05-18 003a.jpg   283.76K   62 downloads

[Ocean View]

You'll need to grab your local racing rules book but I think the same will apply.

In OZ it's pretty clear that ANY boat of ANY AGE - that is greater than 5.5M LOA - for categories 1 through to 7 inclusive - Must have an exit forward of the mast - IF liquified fuel or gas is carried below decks while racing.


Which is noted in in 3.06.1 b )

This rule then refers back to 3.06.1 a ) specifying 2 x exits must exist with 1 exit forward of the mast.

Then it goes into 3.07 to specify the hatch sizes etc.

This link might also be of interest.

http://www.nsw.yacht...2F23296%2F0%2F0

Personally - I think it's just not safe to NOT have a forward hatch. - regardless of the regs.

[voodoochile]

Try these guys HATCHMASTERS - My link They advertise reconditioning hatches. email contact is tony@selectplastics.com