interior access ports

[Allen Townsend]

I am considering replacing the two access ports (inside the cabin just forward of the keel) with larger ones.  Does anyone have any experience or comments on what a good hatch and or hatch size would be?

I am looking at increasing the diameter of the hatch, to about 10 inches, but I am concerned about structural integrity of the decking in this area.

thanks for any thoughts you might have.

Allen
U20#7

[Bob Abelin]

I wouldn’t be too worried about it.  The loading there can’t ever be very high since you can’t walk on it. Fiberglass is tough stuff, especially if you have no square corners. If you are really concerned you could put a rigid backing plate under the deck before you installed the large port but it’s probably not necessary.  Good luck. 

Bob

[Allen Townsend]

Tom,  thanks for your reply.  I am planning to replace the stringer in the water tight compartment this May.  This would be a good time to install a larger hatch.   I am now thinking of the Tempress 11x13 hatch which is bigger than I was thinking about.  It is rectangular with rounded corners.  Does this larger size cause concern?

thanks,
Allen

[Bob Abelin]

Square corners can be a concern (think the de Havilland Comet square windows), but if you round them enough it should be ok.  I'm going to replace my cockpit hatch with a Tempress hatch yet this spring.  I may put together a post about the process since the Tempress isn't an exact fit for that leaky Bomar.  I say just do it.  Unless you plan on doing MMA wrestling in the v-birth it should be fine.

Bob

[Glenn VanHeel]

I've installed larger rectangled hatches years ago. No worries.

[Bob Abelin]

Those look great!