Comment

Comment by Jim Rubino on April 15, 2009 at 6:47am

The lip-landings for the covers are made of ash and have a recessed area on the inside edge for weather-stripping. They're epoxied and then painted same color as the deck. Unlike my Briggs, I did not cut a drainage path for any of the hatches, so I expect none of em to be completely water-proof, just kind of water-resistant. The hatch latches do put a fair amount of tension on the weatherstripping, but I'm sure some water will get inside from a rainstorm or wave. But...that's how my brother ordered his boat so that's how I built it for him. He's taking it to Moab this weekend and I'll post some photos and get a report then. Happy boating, Jim

Comment by lhedrick on April 14, 2009 at 3:54pm

Jim,

Just took a look at the images of the red boat you posted.

The inside finish is very clean. I have 3 questions about your hatch cover system. I see you used the cut outs for the hatch covers which are installed flush with the deck surface. That would mean you installed a lip under the deck for the plywood cut out.

Here are my questions.

1) How did you finish the end grain of the cutout.?

2) What wood did you use underneath?

3) Now the big one. With a flush mount ,water is going to run into the seam. Does the lip under the deck have a channel or something to catch the water and drain it out through a hose some how?

I am at this point on the boat I am currently working on. I have cut out the holes and set them aside. I am not far from having to complete the hatch design.

Larry