Securing Hatch to Hull - ?

[Salty]

Hi Guys,
I am hoping one of you can point me in the direction of what I need or suggest the best way for me to go about this.
I am building a 35" mono for use in surf. I am trying to work out the safest, simplest and most secure way to secure my top hatch (11"x4") to my hull.
I need it to be locked down in some way, it cannot just be held there by using hatch tape.
I was thinking I would epoxy in 6-8 threaded stainless bolt threads around the circumference of the hull opening that would protrude through holes drilled in the hatch cover. These would then be used with wing nuts (or similar) to screw down the cover and hold it tightly in place against the rubber hatch seal. It would be strong but time consuming to change out batteries etc.....
Is there a better option???
Thanks, Salty.

[ED66677]

correct me if I'm wrong but you want to hold the hatch so that it is watertight with a seal all around the opening?

[Salty]

yeah, that's it but not only make it water tight - also hold it down securely during wipeouts in the surf.

[ED66677]

that is impossible!!! the pressure you need to compress the seal between hull and hatch is enormous, that's why most FE guys use tape to make it water tight, you can add a screw or a wing nut, a spring or a piece of rubber can do it as well!

[video200]

i would sugest a sub hatch taped down propparly and then something like this to hold the hatch down http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-duty-alumi...item45eeaf01b2

klaus

[Salty]

It isn't impossible guys do it all the time with their radio control surfers.
I am just after ideas for a good way to do it, whilst also being quick and easy to remove for changing batteries etc.
Thanks Klaus, they could be a possibility. They look like the could quickly be locked down finger tight.
Are there fasteners the can be locked down with half a turn to hold hatches in place?
Or some sort of locking clips like are used on watertight tupperware containers????

[RIPFENCE]

i agree with the cowl lock/tape idea..high speed crashes will rip your tape right off and then you are screwed and doomed..my boat fortunately landed right side up at a 60mph crash and my hatch was hanging off the side of my boat by a strand of renfrew hockey tape..cowl locks are a good backup plan..i have not seen a real good solution for a water tight hatch without tape though..i am sure someone here will be crafty/inventive enough to solve the problem

[exotica]

...I have been playing with some fridge/freezer seals over the last few months trying to develop a relatively water tight seal. The problem I keep facing is that I cant find a seal thin enough so it doesnt place to much strain on the hatch location pins or the top of the hull once it is locked down. It does seem to work quite well. If I could find some thin enough with a self adhesive backing this would do the trick.

[domwilson]

...I have been playing with some fridge/freezer seals over the last few months trying to develop a relatively water tight seal. The problem I keep facing is that I cant find a seal thin enough so it doesnt place to much strain on the hatch location pins or the top of the hull once it is locked down. It does seem to work quite well. If I could find some thin enough with a self adhesive backing this would do the trick.

Foam window seal works great on your hull.

[exotica]

...tried the foam as well Dom as it comes with the self adhesive backing but found it didnt create a water tight seal, but a good insulator. It thinner foam with less density also held water which is what I was trying to avoid. The thicker more dense foam placed to much stress on the hull, hatch and locating pins.

[BHChieftain]

See my thread: Hatch "gasket"

Some good ideas there,

-Chief

[Salty]

Read that too Chief.
It isn't so much the seal that I have a problem with, it more the quick lock down clip device......