Hatch Boards Storage

[Sailavie1]

Hello, I am looking for ideas for storing my companion way boards. I purchased a 2008 Hunter 25 and the previous owner made a box that is attached to the head compartment wall beside the steps. It's a good location but looks ugly. Also, my hatch boards have eye straps on the inside which I assume are for safety lines (photo attached). Is that what they are for and are they really needed?
Andre

 

[Steve Dion]

The make canvas bags to store them in! SBO Store sells them as I remember.

 

[Bill Roosa]

In the event of a roll over those pad eyes keep the hatch boards from coming off and letting in a lot of water. There should be a pad eye on the companionway bulkhead to attach a line to.

 

[Big Windy]

My last boat had deeply tinted plexiglass cabin doors. I could see out but nobody could see in. Since I was on an inland lake, the hatch boards stayed in the garage at home.

 

[seadaddler]

Canvas

I have mesh bag screwed to a wall in my cockpit compartment and think you should make a bag to store them in where ever they would be a good location.
Nick

 

[MrBill_FLL]

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/P1000516.jpg

I bungy/tie it to the inside of the hatch.

 

[FourPoints]

I built / installed a set of holders on the bulkhead. they fit flat against it and take up very little room. I'm quite pleased. The pics are from before I refinished the teak, it is no longer grey.


http://sailingit.com/blog/boat-projects/companionway-slat-holders

EDIT: here are some recent pics showing everything installed and varnished.

 

[Dougo]

My last boat had deeply tinted plexiglass cabin doors. I could see out but nobody could see in. Since I was on an inland lake, the hatch boards stayed in the garage at home.

Not to be a pain, but I would advise anyone to keep the boards on the boat. If you go over, that may be the only chance you have of keeping your boat afloat (enough to get her back upright).

My 2 cents

 

[Bad Obsession]

I sewed a bag for mine that snaps under my companionway steps. It gets them out of the way and works well.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I have a rack in the cockpit locker that holds them.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I have 4 boards which I roll in a fluffy trowel in alternating layers which then fits nicely in a shelf above radio station. Keeps then dry and scratch free. KISS principle.

 

[Tim D.]

A simple sectioned bag attached in the cockpit of my Typhoon;

 

[Pegfrayne]

i was told by experienced sailors to always keep the bottom hatch in place while sailing. It is a pain to go over it to get into the cabin, but if you get a wash over of water into the cockpit it wont run into the cabin.

 

[Stargazer3]

Hatch Boards! ARRRGH! I hate the things! They always seem to be in the way and my guests always put them where I don't want them i.e. on top of the sliding hatch (where they are sure to slide off!) or inside on the settee (where they are sure to get sat on!) I do have a canvas bag for storage - and put them in the cockpit locker when i can get to them before someone else does. Next year - DOORS! Capt Bill on STARGAZER

 

[william24424]

Milberg

"I have 4 boards which I roll in a fluffy towel in alternating layers which then fits nicely in a shelf above radio station. Keeps then dry and scratch free. KISS principle."

Thank you. Sounds silly but for 9 years I've let the boards bang together in the shelf down below. Not this year.

 

[Robert red]

Sleep on them, no

Put them under the v-berth cushions!

 

[Jackdaw]

A change of pace....

Unless we are racing or sailing offshore, we stow the boards and put in some custom made doors, that mount just outside the board tracks. They lock securely, stay closed in a knockdown, and the ease of going in and out is night and day.

 

[Jon4399]

I bought my Hunter 37.5 Legend used, and the PO had installed a teak holder between the companionway stairs and the head wall to starboard. The open frame has a foam rubber placed at the bottom to cushion them when dropped in. It works well, keeps them handy and out of the way. I have two plexiglass boards. Don't know if this was standard on this model or if the PO made it. It looks professionally installed.

 

[boatertwo]

Hatch board storage

On my San Juan 23, the boards go right under the settee cushions by the companionway where the stay secure and not forgotten!!

 

[dbecker68]

On our 1982 Hunter 30, the hatch boards go in the port cockpit locker. The top (largest) fits perfectly (length-wise), and the three of them fit perfectly (depth-wise) so they do not slide or bang around.
I have also heard to keep the lower board in place to avoid splashing into the cabin, but if it gets that rough, we are usually anchored, and in the cabin anyway.