I've read the posts on building a hatch and cutting the opening. Is there anywhere I can buy a pre-assembled and finished hatch? I've posted this here because; I've read that "at some point every Hunter 35.5 will need an access hatch installed to service the holding tank and/or plumbing". I bought a 1993 Hunter 35.5 three weeks ago. There is a foul odor in the aft cabin and especially when I open the starboard lazerette in the cockpit. P-U! The only way for me to service the system is to cut an opening.
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Manufactured hatch
Congratulations on new boat. Hopefully youll enjoy her as mixh as we enjoy ours. You may have already found it but in the event that you havent, Jim Rushing posted a while back step by step process with pictures that walks you through cut out size, location and process. If you havent read that post I would highly recommend that you track it down. In terms of a pre-made solution, I dont think that you will find something off of the shelf that will work. A cabinet wood worker or cabinet maker can easily make on up for you after you know the cover size that you want. I made ours as biege colored formica (matching the rest of the aft cabin surfaces) over marine plywood. I have not added it yet but inted to use a wood trip around the perimeter to improve the aesthitics. We also used a 32 inch stainles steel hunge along the top so that it can be opened easily for access. Good luck and good sailing, Alex
Congratulations on new boat. Hopefully youll enjoy her as mixh as we enjoy ours. You may have already found it but in the event that you havent, Jim Rushing posted a while back step by step process with pictures that walks you through cut out size, location and process. If you havent read that post I would highly recommend that you track it down. In terms of a pre-made solution, I dont think that you will find something off of the shelf that will work. A cabinet wood worker or cabinet maker can easily make on up for you after you know the cover size that you want. I made ours as biege colored formica (matching the rest of the aft cabin surfaces) over marine plywood. I have not added it yet but inted to use a wood trip around the perimeter to improve the aesthitics. We also used a 32 inch stainles steel hunge along the top so that it can be opened easily for access. Good luck and good sailing, Alex
No such luck!!!
Jim's photo essay is your best source of info. on this project. I'm actually in the middle of it myself. If it's the original, I can PROMISE you that your tank IS leaking and has more holes in it than you want to think about. I'd get started sooner than later on this project. Follow the dimensions in his write-up to the inch and then you may need to open the bulkhead up even more once you get a look inside.
Jim's photo essay is your best source of info. on this project. I'm actually in the middle of it myself. If it's the original, I can PROMISE you that your tank IS leaking and has more holes in it than you want to think about. I'd get started sooner than later on this project. Follow the dimensions in his write-up to the inch and then you may need to open the bulkhead up even more once you get a look inside.
Access cover
We have a 92 - 35.5 and when we bought it the access was alraedy there and I assume a repair was made as we have had no issues. The access cover was made from the pieces that were cut out. It you take the care to cut carefully and then cover the joint with teak moulding which equally overlaps it works. The trick is to fasten the teak strips bwith screws both to the cover and the frame to get a good fit. Althogh I do not have one a small handle on the coverwould also be helpfull.
We have a 92 - 35.5 and when we bought it the access was alraedy there and I assume a repair was made as we have had no issues. The access cover was made from the pieces that were cut out. It you take the care to cut carefully and then cover the joint with teak moulding which equally overlaps it works. The trick is to fasten the teak strips bwith screws both to the cover and the frame to get a good fit. Althogh I do not have one a small handle on the coverwould also be helpfull.
How big does the hatch need to be?
There are a lot of pre-built hatches available but I imagine size (and cost $90-150) is an issue.
There are a lot of pre-built hatches available but I imagine size (and cost $90-150) is an issue.
Just Remember
when cutting the opening that the tank is probably against the bulkhead. Set the router where it just cuts the correct depth barely.
when cutting the opening that the tank is probably against the bulkhead. Set the router where it just cuts the correct depth barely.
35.5 aft berth bulkhead access port
The aft bulkhead on our Hunter is 9/16" plywood. As Jim asserted, the aluminum holding tank is mounted against the plywood. The space in the aft berth is tight and a router or similar tool is the best, and most practical, means to remove the existing bulkhead material to gain access. I fabricated a template first, screwed it to the bulkhead, and used it as a guide for the router. Once inside, I decided to enlarge the opening as, unlike Jim, my vessel has an additional exhaust hose for the heater (to starboard) which encumbered holding tank hose access. Finally, like Alex, I found the material used to cover the berth side of the bulkhead plywood is a standard formica laminate with a standard/popular light biege color. The new access hatch looks factory.
The aft bulkhead on our Hunter is 9/16" plywood. As Jim asserted, the aluminum holding tank is mounted against the plywood. The space in the aft berth is tight and a router or similar tool is the best, and most practical, means to remove the existing bulkhead material to gain access. I fabricated a template first, screwed it to the bulkhead, and used it as a guide for the router. Once inside, I decided to enlarge the opening as, unlike Jim, my vessel has an additional exhaust hose for the heater (to starboard) which encumbered holding tank hose access. Finally, like Alex, I found the material used to cover the berth side of the bulkhead plywood is a standard formica laminate with a standard/popular light biege color. The new access hatch looks factory.
cutting an access hatch
I just did this project and will post some pictures soon. The specs that are available in the photo forum were perfect and I would advise following them. I did widen the opening slightly (30") to the starboard side and I found that a circular saw, set to 3/4" depth worked much better than the router I started with. Be very careful at the starboard top edge of the cut -- the exhaust hose is right there. Cut a 10 inches, go inspect from above, cut a few more. One thing about this opening. Once you cut into this aft bulkhead, you have now created the most efficient way to sink your Hunter 35.5 -- a 3-4 square foot hole that is right at and below the waterline. If enough water gets dumpend in through an open lazarette in the cockpit (something plausible if the boat is on its side for a moment) it will be very easy for a poorly-secured hatch cover to stove in. My plan: secure the lazarette hatches with latches or canvas straps with snaps, make the aft bulkhead hatch cover removable but strong. When I figure out how to do this, I'll post about it. Also, I wound up installing a Lectrasan and a very small holding tank. Everything fits well in the space and I wound up with room for twin golf cart batteries on either side.
I just did this project and will post some pictures soon. The specs that are available in the photo forum were perfect and I would advise following them. I did widen the opening slightly (30") to the starboard side and I found that a circular saw, set to 3/4" depth worked much better than the router I started with. Be very careful at the starboard top edge of the cut -- the exhaust hose is right there. Cut a 10 inches, go inspect from above, cut a few more. One thing about this opening. Once you cut into this aft bulkhead, you have now created the most efficient way to sink your Hunter 35.5 -- a 3-4 square foot hole that is right at and below the waterline. If enough water gets dumpend in through an open lazarette in the cockpit (something plausible if the boat is on its side for a moment) it will be very easy for a poorly-secured hatch cover to stove in. My plan: secure the lazarette hatches with latches or canvas straps with snaps, make the aft bulkhead hatch cover removable but strong. When I figure out how to do this, I'll post about it. Also, I wound up installing a Lectrasan and a very small holding tank. Everything fits well in the space and I wound up with room for twin golf cart batteries on either side.
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