Hatches: commercial vs. handmade

[acreew]

would love to hear opinions of those with experience with using cs17 hatches as designed and commercial hatches regarding

1. Ease of installation

2. Ease in stowing gear

3. Watertightness

4. Any other thoughts

I am dreading building the hatches, but the price tag of commercial ones is also painful.

For the designed hatches I cannot see or understand how they are attached to the seat frame....would also appreciate the steps involved in installing them. Have read plans.... Looked at pictures... Just not clicking for some reason.

TIA

Will

[Scott Dunsworth]

I used Bomar hatches on my Belhaven and hated them from the first time it rained. Build them as designed, they work well. Beckson does make some now that are better, if I were going to use factory made hatches. They look very water resistant. The lid top covers over the groove where the gasket is.

[Scott Dufour]

It was a bit of a pain to build the hatches, but I like them now. 

 

Attached with hinges on top.

 

 

[Dale Niemann]

I have both a commercial hatch and Graham's hatches in my 'Lively' CS 17 plus a smooth kayak type hatch on the forward deck.

 

I like my forward hatch because it does not stick up at all so is not obvious. Looks great. It does leak a small amount but that is because I used window seal and have not worried much about it because I never put anything up there anyway. My personal opinion is that Graham's forward hatch sticks up too much and looks like a big hatch that should be on a 30 footer not a 17 footer..

 

Graham's hatches are by far the best for seats and I have one on each side.  I love them.  Next boat I will definitely use them. 

 

The commercial hatch is on the aft seat under the tiller to starboard side.  I do not like it much.  It gets water in the sealing cracks and then when you open it the water leaks or drips inside. Next time I will use Graham's in the aft compartment also.

 

Dale