Hatch/Acess Door Building

[83mulligan]

I'd like to come up with one design style to use on my boat for floor hatch access covers and side (gunwale) access doors. My floors are plywood covered with Nautilex. The Gunwales will probably be face frames of 3/4 Cypress. I'm looking for something repeatable and nice looking. I have piano hinge material. Not sure if i should use aluminum, plywood or what. Let's see your ideas and what you've done on your projects.

 

[Grandad]

I found that these have worked well for me. I got them and 3 larger ones at a marine surplus store for about $5 each. They have a surrounding bezel, hinge, latch and a rubber gasket. The doors are removable from the frame with a stiff pull. They are designed to fasten to a 3/4" panel, though they worked just as well on my 1/2" plywood. I started to look for a link, but a moderator would likely delete the link anyway, so I gave up. Start with Iboats stock and keep looking if they don't have them. - Grandad

 

[Woodonglass]

Not sure if you've seen this but I think this guy did a Good DIY job...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVvafzPnFaA
They're not hinged though.

I assume you've seen these here on iBoatshttp://www.iboats.com/Sure-Seal-Hatch-T-H-Marine/dm/*******.468436859--**********.392231029--view_id.237693

Are you wanting to make your own?

Here's some LARGER versions of Fiberglass DIY Hatch covers. You could copy the technique in a smaller version...
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/fiberglass-composite-boat-building/hatch-cover-build-44839.html

 

[83mulligan]

Thank you Grandad and Wood. Wood, I watched the video. I like the way he did them. I would need to figure out how to hinge them and I would probably not use wood underneath for the lip. I'm trying to save weight, so extra wood and fiberglass are out, I will probably use aluminum for the lip. I'm debating on whether to even try and seal them on the bow decking side because I don't think I can ever get the deck sealed to the sides of the carpeted hull anyway.

 

[83mulligan]

Grandad, do those stay closed ok when trailering and running in some rougher water? Is the latch pretty good, is what I'm asking.

 

[Grandad]

Grandad, do those stay closed ok when trailering and running in some rougher water? Is the latch pretty good, is what I'm asking.

They've never once opened accidentally on the trailer or on the water and she's been in some pretty rough chop. I'll try to get you some more info tomorrow, maybe some pictures of one I have still in storage. - Grandad

 

[Grandad]

Ok. Here's a couple of pictures of 1 of 3 I still have in storage intended for the boat camping cabinet illustrated in my rebuild thread. They are "new", but manufactured around 2001. I got them for $15 each according to the label on the packing they're still in. They're slightly larger and more robust than the 2 pictured previously above. They protrude about 1/2" from the surrounding surface, but have a frame that's intended to be recessed about 3/4". Easy to install as a complete package. - Grandad