Water tank access on 1993 Hunter Legend 35.5

[skunther]

On my Hunter I’ve been unable to find any way to access the water tank short of cutting into one of the bulkheads or the top panel. Does anyone have experience accessing their water tank on a like boat?

 

[jssailem]

If you like, I can call my friend. He has always been ready to show up when I needed to modify my boat access.

 

[PAC3142]

On my Hunter 1994 37.5 the water tank is under the V-berth, same as you I think. There is a small access hatch and you can unscrew the whole top panel.
I have made new access hatches using a palm router to cut the hole. I used the router to only cut as deep as the panel material.

 

[skunther]

On my Hunter 1994 37.5 the water tank is under the V-berth, same as you I think. There is a small access hatch and you can unscrew the whole top panel.
I have made new access hatches using a palm router to cut the hole. I used the router to only cut as deep as the panel material.
View attachment 237927

Did you use the cut out bit (plug) as the hatch cover? Or did you cut an entirely separate piece for that? I’d love to make a narrow cut and just use the cut out bit for the hatch cover without having too much of a gap around the perimeter. Is there a good router bit for making such a fine cut?

 

[PAC3142]

Did you use the cut out bit (plug) as the hatch cover? Or did you cut an entirely separate piece for that? I’d love to make a narrow cut and just use the cut out bit for the hatch cover without having too much of a gap around the perimeter. Is there a good router bit for making such a fine cut?

The hatch in my picture is original. I've made new access hatches for the quarter berth in this boat and to access the hot water heater in my old 1990 Hunter 30G. I used a router to make the hole and made a new cover from plywood. I used the router so that I'd have a clean cut, rounded corners, and wouldn't cut anything underneath - that was important for the water heater. I think I used a 1/4" straight bit.