forward hatch logic

[Manny]

So... it seems like every sailboat i've seen with a hinged hatch above the v-berth has the hatch opening towards the bow. Other than to "scoop" air into the boat while moving or anchored, is there any other reason for this configuration? Could it be a safety issue? I think I'm going to finally get around to building hatches this winter an I am planning on having the v-berth hatch open the opposite way. One of the main reasons is the genny sheets get hung up on the open hatch while tacking :cussing:, the other is that I can keep it open on a choppy day and not have to worry as much about scooping water into the boat.
Any thoughts?

Manny

 

[Joe]

Yeah... what about sail handling? How does your foredeck crew get sails in and out. The hatch is supposed to provide access, not just ventilation. If you need more ventilation, install some extra vents. If you have problems with your genny hanging up... keep the hatch closed while your sailing, that's what most people do. If you must have it open, open it just a few inches or all the way up so it rests against the maist... but not at 45 degrees. Anyway, if you leave it open it will interfere with the genny no matter what the configuration.

If you don't race... I suppose sail handling would not be too much of an issue... but I still think it would make it too difficult to use as an accesses hatch for other activities. Besides......... it'll look funny.

 

[RAD88]

If you run a line from the bow to the mast on a slight angle just above the hatch the sheets and sail cannot foul on the open hatch. I have done this on a few nice sailing days. On rougher days the hatch stays tightly closer. I do not like to sleep in a wet bunk.

 

[higgs]

It will look pretty weird. Where will the lid rest when you open the hatch all the way?

 

[Ron20324]

I recall that some company makes a hatch that can be opened in either direction.

 

[Blitz]

Bomar

I recall that some company makes a hatch that can be opened in either direction.

I believe it is bomar - but they don't recommend keeping any or their hatches open while underway.

 

[BobM]

Keep it closed. If you need ventilation punch a solar vent through it. Otherwise you risk sleeping with the fishes, or at least a water bed.

During the move of Triple Play from her old home in CT to Boston we were motoring across the RI coast. It was an almost breathless day and I had cracked the forward hatch an inch and was sitting above it enjoying the apparent wind. The Captain I had hired had the helm. A boat came by. Not very close but the Captain caught the wake wrong throwing about thirty or so gallons of water up on deck down the hatch and into the berth below where I had to sleep that night. It also wet my legs pretty good.

From then on the hatch has stayed closed and dogged under way.

 

[Don12364]

In the UK all charter boats, i.e. coded, have to have all hatches ahead of the mast aft facing for water ingress safety reasons.
FWIW my last boat had its forehatch aft facing but on a part of the coachroof (deckhouse) which was sloping at 45°. When propped open at night the rain came in. I turned it to forward facing - problem solved.

 

[Benny]

I think a more practical solution to your problem would be to sail with the forward hatch closed when underway. The hatch opens forward to help air circulation at anchor. We use it sometimes to load supplies into the boat and to store the headsail when we take it down. We don't require cross ventilation when underway as the cabin hatch and portholes suffice for our needs.

 

[zeehag]

forward hatch open while sailing in deep watewr oceans can be a potential problem--with water coming over the bows--is how some of the boat disasters happen----an open fwd hatch will scoop water into the boat and sink her---always dog that hatch down when ocean sailing.......cruisers wont be changing sails in mid ocean unless there is a big problem---racers change sails all the time---they may need that hatch access during ocean sailing---cruisers lose boats that way--

 

[Bob S]

I always keep it closed under way. It tends to catch the jib sheets if opened. I love the forward opening hatch when sleeping. It really catches a breeze after a day of sunburn/windburn. Makes sleeping on those hot night bearable.

 

[sailingdog]

Another point about aft facing hatches on the forward part of the cabintop is that when they are open, it is much more difficult to get in and out of them than if the hatch opens with the lid going aft. If the lid opens and swings aft, you can pull yourself up and sit on the lower forward portion fairly easily. If it swings forward, getting out is a PITA. It also makes stuffing the sails down below much more difficult.

As for whether hatches should be open underway or not, I generally recommend that all hatches be closed and dogged when underway. Not only can a hatch let a lot of water below, it could also be damaged by water washing across the cabintop.

Yes, a hatch that opens with the lid forward will close if it is hit by water in many cases, but I'd point out that having it setup that way can also cause injury should you be near said hatch and have water wash across the cabintop.

 

[Manny]

Some replies:

"Yeah... what about sail handling? How does your foredeck crew get sails in and out."

No foredeck crew, I singlehand most of the time (or do all the work). Genny is on furler. No racing.

"If you run a line from the bow to the mast on a slight angle just above the hatch the sheets and sail cannot foul on the open hatch."

Would you have to run two lines? My sheets catch at the corners.

"Where will the lid rest when you open the hatch all the way?"

My current hatch only goes to about 90 degrees, I was thinking of the same amount of travel for the new one.

"I believe it is bomar - but they don't recommend keeping any or their hatches open while underway."

Do most hatch manufacturers recommend the same?

"If you need ventilation punch a solar vent through it."

Have one on the current hatch, will probably mount it on the new one.

"I think a more practical solution to your problem would be to sail with the forward hatch closed when underway. "

So far that's all i've been able to do.

"Another point about aft facing hatches on the forward part of the cabintop is that when they are open, it is much more difficult to get in and out of them than if the hatch opens with the lid going aft."

How often do you climb out of your forward hatch?? I think the only reason I would climb out of mine would be an emergency, an event that would block exiting the companionway

Thanks,

Manny

 

[Joe]

Hey manny, if you want to reverse your hatch so you can sail with it open on choppy days....... go for it. But it's still a bad idea.

 

[dserrell]

1

 

[Maine Sail]

Manny

Manny, no problems with reversing it. I actually prefer it to open backwards for a number of reasons. Goiot makes dual opening hatches...

Still not a good idea to sail with it open though...

 

[dserrell]

1

 

[Maine Sail]

Mainsail,

Great picture! In Maine you may not need a Down-the-Hatch wind scoop, but here in the South many sailors use Down-the-Hatch wind scoops for cabin ventilation when we're on the hook. When the foredeck hatch opens forward the Down-the-Hatch works better.

David

In Maine we generally use Bora fan's by Caframo but a Wind Scoop also works well even with the hatch reversed. For the amount of rain and fog we get it is nice to have the hatch cracked backwards and not get the cabin wet or be a fog collector. It tends to keep our cabin drier. For the Chess or areas South I would probably flip it.

The worst is when it is humid and rainy and you can't open the forward hatch because the rain will come in. We can keep both of ours about 2" to 3" open, even in the rain, and still have ventilation, but not get wet, unless it starts down pouring..

No right or wrong way for a hatch to open though if you race and store a chute or head sails in the v-berth opening forward is easier..