Forward Hatch Hunter 30'??

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Bob

We have a 1976 Hunter 30. I am plodding away at the repairs. The forward Hatch looks like its been through a war or two. I am curious if anyone knows if it may be an original hatch. It is made out of teak, the corners are screwed together but not with woods screws interestingly enough. Its seems that they must have put threaded inserts in the side rails before the put the frame together. Its is screwed fron to back, and back to fron into the side rails with machine screws. It is trapezoidal. The front is 25 1/2" port to starboard, 29" front to back, and 28 3/4" port to starboard on the rear side. The glass (plexi) was held in with screws, bedding material, and finishing washers. The screws holes were drilled at an angle, equal to the slant of the frame. The measurements above may not be exact, simply because of wear. There is a crown in the roof of the boat and the hatch cover is milled to fit the crown. It looks like the crown (in the center)is about 1 1/4" higher than the sides. I know JC II was looking for an original but I am not sure for what boat. I have looked all over the place for something that is similar in size, and won't require a second mortgage. If I cant find a reasonable replacment I think I am just going to fill all the holes, resin the whole thing, glass the corners, gel coat it and put in a new piece of glass (lexan). I am usually up for a challenge, but reproducing this hatch would take an awful lot of time to cut all the angles and crowns. I think it would have to be done by hand, maybe with a spoke shaver, and my to-do list is a mile long already..
 
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royce

original

Bob, I have a 76 h30 that had a one piece 1/4" molded pexiglass front hatch. Mine was badly cracked and I used it to make a mold from which I molded a new hatch from 1/2" thick pexiglass. It's been on the boat for 10 years and still looks great, and you can jump up and down on it - no problem. Good luck Royce
 
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Bob

Hatch?

Royce do you think that was an original hatch? The one I have may be a product of someone imagination, but it looks like it was mass produced. Not sure a ships carpenter or even a backyard shipbuilder would use threaded inserts in teak wood rails, but maybe. I was hoping to take JC II up on his offer, but Maybe I will just go with the resin and gel coat. Finding a replacement that size just doesnt look like its going to happen. Thanks!
 
Jun 2, 2004
425
- - Sandusky Harbor Marina, Lake Erie
A solution

Measure the size of the hole in the deck for the hatch. Buy the trapeziodal hatch (Bomar from pompanette.com) that is larger than the hole in all dimensions. Remove all of the previous hatch assembly to get down to the deck. Enlarge the hole in the deck to just fit the insert of the hatch. Seal the edge of the hole with epoxy. Mount the hatch in the hole/on the deck, using a good, filling sealant (5200 for instance) and secure the hatch per its design. This is the approach described to me by the fiberglass expert at South Shore Yachts on the Chagrin River where we had our hatch replaced (and mast step bebuilt.) This approach makes good sense, and we are still very happy with the results. The photo essay on the 75-84 h27 page shows how this was done on another h27. David Lady Lillie
 
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Royce

Original

Yes, I believe that the molded one was original. It had molded in ribs to strengthen the 1/4" to make it strong. My new one I made from 1/2" I left out the ribs and it looks more like a clam shell in shape. My spinnaker pole has dropped on this one as well as a number of people jumping on it. It has held up great. Good luck, Royce
 
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