Best Deck Hatch Available

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

This is our emergency tiller connection deck hatch. It's an an 8 1/2 inch cut out and 10 9/16 inch total in size.

We have had ongoing issues with it. A couple years ago the previous hatch cracked. It is directly under foot when at the helm. This time the gasket is leaking after 2 years.

I am thinking about the Armstrong Deck Plate 8. It seems to have some good reviews and I like the design. I'm having a hard time finding detailed dimensions to confirm it would fit.

Any experience with the Armstrong Deck plates to share? Any other recommended plates to look at?

Thanks,

Jesse

 

[capta]

Why continue to go with plastic? They make SS and bronze ones, which I doubt you could ever break.

 

[jssailem]

@JK_Boston_Catalina310 No experience, but was able to find the brochure. It indicates the size of the 8" unit on the 2nd page of the pdf file.

https://www.armstrongnautical.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-Deck-Plate-Flyer.pdf

Model DP-8
Outside Dimension
10 Inches
Deck Opening Size
8.75 Inches

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

@JK_Boston_Catalina310 No experience, but was able to find the brochure. It indicates the size of the 8" unit on the 2nd page of the pdf file.

https://www.armstrongnautical.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/5-Deck-Plate-Flyer.pdf

Model DP-8
Outside Dimension
10 Inches
Deck Opening Size
8.75 Inches

I found that one too. The key dimensions I need to confirm is over all depth needed, largest deck thickness it can open to fit and thickness of the top plate. The current plate sits in a recessed area and the preference is to try and be close with the new plate.

Thanks

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Why continue to go with plastic? They make SS and bronze ones, which I doubt you could ever break.

I thought about that and quickly rejected it. This is access to the emergency tiller connection. If the plate were to sieze in place I could be shut out and not able to access. If that were to happen with plastic I could always smash or cut it to get access. Not to mention that a 10" SS plate could be awful hot under bear feet.

Strength isn't necessarily the key concern. Water tight, UV stable and always a way to get access are the important aspects to me in this situation.

Thanks

 

[capta]

I thought about that and quickly rejected it. This is access to the emergency tiller connection. If the plate were to sieze in place I could be shut out and not able to access. If that were to happen with plastic I could always smash or cut it to get access. Not to mention that a 10" SS plate could be awful hot under bear feet.

Strength isn't necessarily the key concern. Water tight, UV stable and always a way to get access are the important aspects to me in this situation.

Thanks

I suggest you look into anti-seize products. Never had the problem you describe above even after 7 years or more untouched, even on SS into aluminum. Really, if you just opened a bronze one once a year without any anti-seize products, you should never have a problem.