Advice on Hatch in Transom?

[Bill Ebling]

I just replaced the quarter berth "carpet liner", made new slip-covers for the cushions, added a Hella fan, and removed 17 years of mold build up in the "quarter berth cave" of my 1985 H31. I would like to improve the light and ventilation in this deep recess and generally make it more "livable". I was thinking that a 12" x 12" opening deck hatch could be placed on the transom's upper port side allowing cross ventilation and lighten up the berth when the boats not locked up. Would this create a problem with boats structural integrity?Will it be impossible to prevent the hatch from leaking when it rains given the steep angle of the transom? Am I just asking for trouble with leaks? The berth has never leaked.Bill EblingYesterday's DreamCrab Alley BayKent Island MD1985 h31

 

[Chuck]

Ventilation

I am also trying to improve the ventilation but I am not ready to start cutting into the transom. I am looking at installing an opening hatch under the port side cockpit seat. Reasoning is that I want additional ventilation at night for sleeping. I will just prop open the cockpit seat, open the hatch and presto ventilation. I think the cockpit seat can be opened a small amount in the event of rain & I will still have better ventilation. Like I said just thinking about it for now.Chuck DickhutS/V Kililani h31 1983

 

[Debra B]

12V Fan

Does a lot for circulation in my quarterberth. Stay away from Hella - I have this only because I didn't know better. See link My H37 has a portlight that opens (or is supposed to open - will be replaced soon!) into the cockpit below the port cockpit locker. (A very shallow locker.)You might also consider a mushroom vent with or without a fan.

 

[John Blakely]

transom hatch

Bill, I also have a l985 H31 which I put a hatch into the trasom last year. Really helps with ventilation. My hatch is 12"x5" or so and lets light and air through. No problems noticed with structual degradation. No problems with water unless I leave hatch opened in rain or trailing seas. John Blakely

 

[Bill Ebling]

John: Did you install a hatch

or an opening port? The 5X12 size sounds like a port.Bil Ebling