Hatch design?

[Dick Hoffman]

I'm a little confused. I'm not sure of the year of the 26 I looked closely at, but the aft section of the hatch slid forward into a hinged section. The hinged section was supposed to be able to tip up and be sailed that way. The "94" I have been dealing with on the net talks about pop top covers. Does it have a pop top and can it be sailed in an up position to provide better head room? How about a "95"? Was there any change?

 

[Tim Paul]

I Wouldn't

I have a '97 h26 which I believe is quite similar to the 94, 95 versions. The stainless support posts for holding the hatch in the upright position are not sturdy or stable enough to sail in the upright position. The hatch is quite heavy and would cause damage if it came down. The design was clearly for the upright ("poptop"?) position to be used only when at anchor. Even then I'm considering adding a supplemental support. You get headroom when sailing by sliding the plexiglass portion of the hatch forward.

 

[Dick]

Thanks

Thanks for help clearing things up. I was wondering whether one of the models had hatch that went strait up and attached to the mast like my old Spirit 23.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Dick, We have a 95 H26 with the same hatch.

You really only want to raise it at anchor as it could collapse in rough conditions. I though about buying the "camper top" or whatever it is called but instead we simple used a boom awning. With about $15 worth of bungee's and a nice $15 tarp (10X10 or 10X12)you can make a boom tent that works in 100 degree summer temps and makes the boat cabin very comfortable. A $20 fan makes this ever MUCH better.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Michael Bell]

Dodger

The dodger is what people are refering to as the camper top. Most reasons not to have it up under sail were covered. Only in very moderate wind with little other boat traffic have we sailed our '98 H26 with it up. It causes a lot of windage, and the hunter doesn't need any more windage than what it has anyway. The dodger that came with the boat was made by AmeriSeam.