the benefits of a hatch in the cockpit of my CD33

[m.ritenour]

In response to several inquiries about the installation of a weather proof hatch in my cockpit sole, i offer the following...

I obtained a strong aluminum 4 dog hatch from a company named Baywood out of WA state. This hatch has approx. 24" of access and a single external lever recessed into the hatch itself and 4 strongback dogs underneath, coupled with an o-ringed sealed gasket, it´s totally waterproof.

The company worked with me and provided a backing plate for the installation. The hard part was comitting to cut the hole (the deck is solid fiberglass), located forward of the wheel, it took many measurements to insure it was exactly centered.

I had the hatch, prepared and painted the same color as my deck. The entire hatch only sticks up 1/4" above the deck and after over 12 months of cruising hasn´t proved to be a problem.

The results have to be seen to be believed. No more crawling into the port locker and contorting my 6´1", 230# frame into that tiny space.

Now I have full access to the rear of the engine, stuffing box, steering quadrant, rudder gland,fuel tank, other hose connections and other areas i didn´t even know existed!

This single addition to the boat (i took me 3 months of planning and thinking before i cut the sizeable hole) has proved to be of huge value in maintaining the engine, and the other equipment mentioned.

Any questions, contact me directly.

thanks,
mike



mritenouru@aol.com