Hatch attachment methods

Intlwaters

Help Support Intlwaters:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

VinceRados

Active Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
25
How do you guys attach the hatch to the hull? I've seen the o ring method but it would be a shame to use it on boats that look this nice. I would like a "cleaner" look.
 
Some people use those rare earth magnets to hold everything down. Works great for some. I personally use the o ring method.
 
For both of those methods do you use pins to align it? Also I take it that lexan or carbon fiber sheets are used to seal the hull openings with tape and keep water out?
 
The magnets would be fastened to any mounting points you install on the inside of the hatch as well as a mounting points you install in the boat itself. These would be, preferably, installed at the front and rear of the hatch and, if possible, someplace close to a corner. If you want a gap between the hatch and deck, you could use shims made from appropriately thick plywood to give you the desired spacing. Something else you could do is use cabinet roller latches. The are self aligning and a well proven method. My boat uses them at the rear of the hatch
 
When using maginets, you should use alignment pins. I make mine out of 1/16 piano wire. The cowl will slide L and R and pop off. Maginets are good at attracting but not side load.
 
When using maginets, you should use alignment pins. I make mine out of 1/16 piano wire. The cowl will slide L and R and pop off. Maginets are good at attracting but not side load.
I agree - the first 7 heats on my new Backlash the cowl came off 4 times causing a DNF each time. I am back using O rings
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I use cabinet latches from Home Depot on my scale boats. 89 cents a piece and I've never had a cowl come off.
 
Since mounting brackets have to be used. Has anyone ever used nylon screws? Or is that a bad idea?
I use nylon screws to hold all the wings together.
My 2000 Elam is the same way, nylon screws hold the tails to the mounts and the wing to the tails. As far as using nylon screws to hold on a cowl or hatch, it's not practical unless you're running an electric boat as nitro and gas only have 2.5 minutes to be started and on the water so you don't have time to start the motor, install and screw down the hatch/cowl. This is even more of an issue if the motor is being stubborn and hard to start. It could also be an issue if the screw head strips or the screw breaks
 
Since we're on the topic of rear wings. Do you guys use nylon screws for the top portion of the aluminum tube brace that runs from the transom up to the top inside of the wings? And stainless screws to attach the aluminum tubes to the transom?
 
I use Nylon for everything except attaching the Horizontal to the Verticals. It makes it one big piece that comes off instead of 3 separate pieces.

I get the glass filled Nylon bolts. There a little bit stronger.
 
Since we're on the topic of rear wings. Do you guys use nylon screws for the top portion of the aluminum tube brace that runs from the transom up to the top inside of the wings? And stainless screws to attach the aluminum tubes to the transom?
Mine has a metal screw through the inner face of each upright, just below the wing, which goes through a tie down and is fastened to a clevis at the top and a ball link at the transom. The ball link allows the brace to break free in the event of blow over or collision.
 
Back
Top