Sea Hood

[tartansailor]

Both my sliding companion way hatch and sea hood are covered in mahogany. When I attempted to lower the mast the mast touched the wood and still had a long way to go before being fully lowered.

So the question is:

Has anyone modified their sea hood by making it capable of sliding astern?

Or is this unrealistic?

Dick

[Ron M.]

How would you seal it from leaking ?
________
Vaaapp

[tartansailor]

Hi Ron,
In theory it would be nice to access the mast area while still standing upright in the companion way.

I do not have an answer to your question, hence my initial inquiry.

Perhaps a very narrow sea hood that would seal off the forward edge and corners of the "big" hood?? and easily removable come mast lowering time?

Or just pay the yard to raise and lower it with a crane.

Dick

[Ben Coombs]

I have been thinking that a removable sea hood and hatch would be excellent for hot summer weekends. Two part hinges and some creative fiberglass work on the hood = instant head room and ventilation for lazy days with light winds and cocktails on the hook.

Anybody ever thought about/tried this?

[joelcunningham]

Funny you should bring this up Dick. I had thought about modifying the entire hood and sliding hatch assembly so it could pop up like a pop top camper with soft sides. I have a CD25 also. It would be nice to create six feet or more of headroom when anchored or on mooring, or even for working on the boat in the off season. Seems like there is plenty of room beneath the boom. A sliding hood is an interesting idea. You would just need to design the slide and locking mechanism and sealing strategy. Keeping out rain and spray doesn't require sophisticated sealing.
I would suggest mounting teak slides, like the hatch slides, right on top of the existing mounting. This would raise your hood profile by an inch or less. Of course you would need to modify the hatch and drop boards accordingly.
I assume you are hinging the mast up at this point. I plan to use Bly Hartley's suggestion for constructing a simple 2 by 4 crane. It's here on the board if you do a search for her posts, or my posts. Use of this method will allow you to get some angle on the mast before sliding the pin in and it won't pinch down on the hood.

Joel

[Ben Coombs]

I see this thread is old... and my seahood is still the original. But now it’s off and at the very least will be rebuilt in strip planked wood and with a hatch in the top. The sliding hatch will become removeable. Storage of the hatch once removed will be the big issue, but we can figure that out.

Anybody out there made a new seahood out of wood? Problems? Unexpected hurdles? The new one will stand about 4-5” higher than the original. Should allow my wife to stand up anytime and me to stand with the hatch open.

Happy thanksgiving!

[Steve Laume]

IF you raise the sea hood are you still going to have a low rear edge to keep the water from getting to the closed hatch? It seems like the lower rear edge would be a head banger when you are not expecting it.

I like those observation bubbles you see on some offshore boats. They would mess up some pretty valuable lashing area on top of the sea hood. Still nice to be able to stand inside a dry area and see what is going on around you.

Increasing head room is a difficult problem to solve unless you buy a bigger boat, Steve.

[Gary H]

When I bought my boat (22D), I noted that the mast step was set up in a way that only permitted raising and lowering with the top of the mast facing the bow - for the reason mentioned (interference with the sea hood). I raise and lower the mast each year pivoting on the front pin of the mast step (top of the mast over the bow). I have learned to find this easier than the traditional method of dropping the mast towards the stern.

[Ben Coombs]

IF you raise the sea hood are you still going to have a low rear edge to keep the water from getting to the closed hatch? It seems like the lower rear edge would be a head banger when you are not expecting it.

I like those observation bubbles you see on some offshore boats. They would mess up some pretty valuable lashing area on top of the sea hood. Still nice to be able to stand inside a dry area and see what is going on around you.

Increasing head room is a difficult problem to solve unless you buy a bigger boat, Steve.

Hmmm. I’m not sure what rear edge you speak of... but there wouldn’t be anything that wasn’t here before for head banging. If you mean the aft end of the hood where the sliding hatch, um, slides, then yes, weather tight.

Raising the mast shouldn’t be affected, we have a good system that gets a nice angle for attaching the aft pin.

We are a few years away from a bigger boat. A weekend aboard would be much nicer if I could just stand up all the way to change. Also light and air in the main cabin would be lovely.

If anyone knows where to get a used hatch, please let me know. I’ve been on eBay, but the hatches are out of my budget, or in need of too many parts. I may start with an inspection/access hatch and add a nice bomar later.

[Nebe]

IF you raise the sea hood are you still going to have a low rear edge to keep the water from getting to the closed hatch? It seems like the lower rear edge would be a head banger when you are not expecting it.

I like those observation bubbles you see on some offshore boats. They would mess up some pretty valuable lashing area on top of the sea hood. Still nice to be able to stand inside a dry area and see what is going on around you.

Increasing head room is a difficult problem to solve unless you buy a bigger boat, Steve.

Hmmm. I’m not sure what rear edge you speak of... but there wouldn’t be anything that wasn’t here before for head banging. If you mean the aft end of the hood where the sliding hatch, um, slides, then yes, weather tight.

Raising the mast shouldn’t be affected, we have a good system that gets a nice angle for attaching the aft pin.

We are a few years away from a bigger boat. A weekend aboard would be much nicer if I could just stand up all the way to change. Also light and air in the main cabin would be lovely.

If anyone knows where to get a used hatch, please let me know. I’ve been on eBay, but the hatches are out of my budget, or in need of too many parts. I may start with an inspection/access hatch and add a nice bomar later.

Ben, what you really need is a spiffy Cape Dory 27 with ample head room.. I have just the one for you!- Eben

[Ben Coombs]

Hahaha.... Well played, Sir.

I did check our your boat, it's beautiful! But the family of four needs a larger upgrade than 2'

Our boat is the (seemingly) rare dinette version and despite the size, we love it.

I do hope yours sells quickly and painlessly.

Happy glassing!

[Nebe]

Hahaha.... Well played, Sir.

I did check our your boat, it's beautiful! But the family of four needs a larger upgrade than 2'

Our boat is the (seemingly) rare dinette version and despite the size, we love it.

I do hope yours sells quickly and painlessly.

Happy glassing!

I think you need a CD36!!!