securing Typhoon hatch covers

[Mike]

I have a '76 Typhoon with the original unsecured hatch covers on the cockpit benches. Looking for suggestions for some kind of "hold down". Not sure I want to go with hinges and hasp. Any suggestions??

Also would like to add some type of reimforcement or brace underneath, as there is a slight give and "crackle" if I sit right anywhere near the middle of the cover.

All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanx.

Fair winds,
Mike



ma56837d@aol.com

[Serge Zimberoff]

Mine had a 2" x 2" stiffener fiberglassed on the full width of the underside of the locker covers. Thought it was original but maybe a previous owner did it. To this I added an eye. Then I mounted a cheek block below on the inside face of the bench as low as possible. The final piece of hardware was a small jam cleat on the back of the bulkhead inside the cabin about midway between the entry hatch and the bunk ledge that goes forward under the locker. I secured a 1/8" line to the eye, ran it through the cheek block and back to the cabin and just up to the jam cleat. I could get enough tension on the line to have the cover pulled down pretty securely. Easy enough to just reach in from the cockpit and free the two lines before a sail and to resecure them at the end of the day.



serge@srtrop.com

[John Danicic]

I have a '76 Typhoon with the original unsecured hatch covers on the cockpit benches. Looking for suggestions for some kind of "hold down". Not sure I want to go with hinges and hasp. Any suggestions??

Also would like to add some type of reimforcement or brace underneath, as there is a slight give and "crackle" if I sit right anywhere near the middle of the cover.

All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanx.

My Typhoon has the same system as Serges, a tie down rope led to the cabin and a jam cleat. I added a water seal that effectivly keeps water from finding its way below. I glued down 2 inch wide by 1/2 inch thick closed cell foam strips to the underside of each hatch. I replaced the hatches and from the inside, traced on the foam the outline of the hatch opening. I removed the hatches. Then, with a router and a 1/2inch wide bit, I cut a grove in the foam so that it fits snuggly in to the seat lip. After one season the seals work real good. Time will tell how they wear.

John Danicic CD Typhoon - Moana - Hull 911




johndanicic@uswest.net