Installing access hatch in cockpit sole

[chuck yahrling]

Have to redo the cockpit sole on CD-27 this fall, and want to add an access hatch. I looked through the archives and found a few posts, but ask anybody else who has tried this to share their results. In particular, I'm interested in any evidence of fore/aft flexing in a chop. Thanks in advance.



yahrling@cybertours.com

[Don Sargeant]

Have to redo the cockpit sole on CD-27 this fall, and want to add an access hatch. I looked through the archives and found a few posts, but ask anybody else who has tried this to share their results. In particular, I'm interested in any evidence of fore/aft flexing in a chop. Thanks in advance.

My advice is: DON'T DO IT! You'll never keep it water-tight unless you raise the lip so high you'll be tripping over it.



don@cliggott.com

[Ken Braden]

Have to redo the cockpit sole on CD-27 this fall, and want to add an access hatch. I looked through the archives and found a few posts, but ask anybody else who has tried this to share their results. In particular, I'm interested in any evidence of fore/aft flexing in a chop. Thanks in advance.

HI Chuck. You probably read one of my postings on the same subject. Most of the advice I got was negative. I never did make contact with someone who actually did install a hatch. I still want to put the hatch in so if you run across some info let me know and I will do the same for you.



bradenk@prodigy.com

[Tom Coons]

Have to redo the cockpit sole on CD-27 this fall, and want to add an access hatch. I looked through the archives and found a few posts, but ask anybody else who has tried this to share their results. In particular, I'm interested in any evidence of fore/aft flexing in a chop. Thanks in advance.

I put an access hatch in the cockpit sole of my CD 31. When she was surveryed the surveyor noted stress cracks in the cockpit area and recommended either beams installed athwartships or beefing up the sole. I took the second course and installed a teak sole made of what is called 8 by which is 2 x2 inch teak. The shipwright made a plywood pattern of the sole leaving space around to get your fingers between the new sole and the sides of the cockpit so you can clean it easily. Then he took the plywood back to the shop and constructerd the teak sole right on top of it, caulked the seams and all that and finished it. While he was at it I had him put in a small access hatch, with a stainless rim that dogs down. It's too small to crawl into unlkess you are smaller than I am, but is wonderful for checking the stuffing box, letting in light, air, and handing tools through to the guy working in the bilge. 31"s have a wheel so that had to be re-mounted and a new emergency tiller plate put in. A pretty big job, but worth it in my view. Needless to say it doesn't flex in any direction and the leakage, if any, is minimal. I agree with the other comments. You have to really do it right or you could have problems. I'd be leery of just cutting a hole putting boards along the sides and fitting a hatch over them, unless you make it really beefy and have proper joints at the corners etc. Having said that -- it can be done.



TacCambria@thegrid.net