Bilge Hatch latch?

[freeheelbillie]

Anyone have any clever ideas for locking down your floor hatches? Short of screwing them down that is...
I have a 2 year old that is keen to opening the hatch covers every time I turn my back. Nice to have them more secure regardless of his new found game.

Thanks

 

[rgranger]

Maybe use a small hasp and a luggage lock.

Maybe something like this?

Then just hang the keys above his reach.

 

[freeheelbillie]

Maybe use a small hasp and a luggage lock.

Maybe something like this?

Then just hang the keys above his reach.

I like the idea. I was hoping for something flush to floor though.

 

[rgranger]

What about a cabinet lock? You would have to drill a hole in the hatch cover but ....

 

[Ron20324]

[QUOTE="freeheelbillie, ...I have a 2 year old that is keen to opening the hatch covers every time I turn my back. [/QUOTE]

You DID tell him that's where the baby alligators are stowed, didn't you?

 

[Doug4bass]

[QUOTE="freeheelbillie, ...I have a 2 year old that is keen to opening the hatch covers every time I turn my back.

You DID tell him that's where the baby alligators are stowed, didn't you?[/QUOTE]
You CAN buy plastic snakes or alligators..

 

[Squidd]

That would just make it more appealing...

Sometimes you gotta throw stuff down there to get them to come out...

Banana peels, car keys, half a sandwich, maybe a frog.,.

 

[freeheelbillie]

You DID tell him that's where the baby alligators are stowed, didn't you?

You CAN buy plastic snakes or alligators..[/QUOTE]
Damn, I knew I could count on you guys! I have been telling him pulling the hatch off will sink the boat. "Look! There's already water down in there! Hurry put it back on!!"
I'll throw in a big rubber snake and a cabinet lock for good measure.

 

[whatfiero]

A hard wood wedge or popsicle stick drive into crack not too hard as you could pull out but tap enough child can't pull up boards

 

[Dalliance]

Cabinet door catches might work and would not require drilling holes in the finish face of your hatch boards.

 

[Skipper]

Remove the pull pegs and cork the holes. It's only for awhile till he loses interest. You can still open the hatches with a pry tool.
This way, no permanent mods needed.

 

[Jackdaw]

Small cleats on the grid or sub-deck, with loops of bungee cord fastened on the underside of the boards. Make the loop just big enough so you can pull up the board and flick it off the cleat.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Small cleats on the grid or sub-deck, with loops of bungee cord fastened on the underside of the boards. Make the loop just big enough so you can pull up the board and flick it off the cleat.

Voice of experience with 5 and 2 year olds - if you use a bungee they'll pull the board against the force of the bungee until it snaps back. Endless entertainment (sort of). YMMV

 

[agprice22]

Put a small rug over it! The kid won't even see the hatch.