[Christian Williams]

The one-piece plywood hatch board, replacing four pieces of teak, is a big improvement. But it might be even better in plastic. You just need a handy place to put it. If it fits in the seat locker, home free.

One-Piece Hatch Board; Tides SailTrack; HX gaskets - Blogs - EY.o Information Exchange

 

[capta]

I also hate hatch boards and went a slightly different way, using Starboard. It just slides in the hatch board slots and is held in place by two brass angles. It is very strong, yet removes in just a few seconds.
It took less than a day to build and if memory serves only about a c-note in materials.

 

[chuck53]

Even better...doors on lift off hinges. When I want to keep the boat closed up, it's easy in and out and if I want to keep the boat open, I take off the doors and stow them below.

 

[CaptainForce]

We still keep our original crib boards for heavy weather, but we normally keep a more decorative one piece crib board.



We find it easy to enter and leave our companionway without removing this piece of stained glass sandwiched in polycarbonate sheets, though it easily stows in a slot next to the steps to our main cabin when we remove it.

 

[tdw]

We have a one piece board and am relatively happy with it but I would like to somehow come up with a hinged insect screen. Variation on CaptA's idea but with a netting insert would seemingly be the answer.

 

[aloof]

Don't most of us need two piece hatch boards so we can climb in and out in rough weather? Looks vital with the cockpit in the photo.

 

[tdw]

Don't most of us need two piece hatch boards so we can climb in and out in rough weather? Looks vital with the cockpit in the photo.

Doesn't the hinged board answer that question ? Presuming of course you have a reasonable bridge deck or lip.

Somewhat scrappy pic but as you can see the lip on our girl is a good height.

 

[miatapaul]

I was on a Lancer 36 and one of the things I liked was it had 3 part hatch boards. There was a 6 inch hatch board that was hinged on the bottom so it swung down and above that two doors that swung out. So you could lower the lower board and have it out of the way, but if it was just a bit snotty out you could flip it up and it had barrel latches to keep it closed but could still get over it easily. then if it got worse close the doors. Only thing was the doors did not seem very secure. If it were my boat I would likely make a single panel to slide in to close it off more securely. But it is not like it was an offshore boat. I thought it was a pretty good compromise.

 

[PaulinVictoria]

I have a one-piece that stores neatly in two little brackets in the lazaratte.

 

[DonScribner]

Our Lancer 25 came with three pieces of plastic (poly or acrylic, not sure) that were cut at a bias so when stacked in place, water would always shed outward. But being old, crazed and brittle, I needed to replace. I settled on three pieces of 1/4" bronze acrylic, again cut at a bias. I used 3M VHB tape to attach PVC "living hinge" to the inside. The assembly is watertight and smooth. Since the Admiral may need to change inside while I entertain, I sanded the inside surface (before assembly) with an orbital sander. If you press your face (or other body part) against the surface, you can see it. But 5 inches away, it's just a blur at best. And when I have to stow it, I pull up, fold towards the middle and stuff it below, neatly tucker beside the companionway stairs. BEst of all it looks "wick'd pissah!"

 

[tdw]

I have a one-piece that stores neatly in two little brackets in the lazaratte.

..... and that is one of those boat oddities. I know a lot of very modern boats are well equipped in this regard but even though ours is only ten years old she has no provision whatsoever for securely stowing the hatchboard.

It is an issue I need to address.

 

[Barquito]

I like my three part hatch board. I can leave one in if I want a little more security in rough weather. I can have one out at the top in rain at anchor, and not get any water inside. I am making a board with a lexan window to let in light and ventilation. If I take them out in order, I can put them back in order every time (and they are all the same size).

 

[dinosdad]

I have a one piece smoked lexan ( or similar material) and I'm making a three piece wood hatchboard for it this winter. There just isn't a good spot to store the one piece unit and when were're weekending on the mooring its a all or nothing
Situation, if it's a little chilly , all open or closed up, if it's raining , same deal,
Although the see through hatchboard does let light in . As usual its about compromises and what works best for how you use your boat.

 

[danvon]

check out the weight of your materials before you make a one-piece. Our Catalina 27 came with a one-piece plexiglas board that weighed a TON. Admittedly our companionway is big for the size of the boat but it was a huge pain to put this one in or take it out from inside the boat (never mind storing it on a smallish boat). I wound up cutting it in half.

 

[Bene505]

Been thinking about getting a louvered hatch board with a screen on the inside. That would really add ventilation, while keeping the rain out.

Regards,
Brad

 

[rdw]

screen depending on the mesh cuts out a lot of ventilation, might want to consider Velcro attached screen.
rdw