Hatch Latch - Save the Leg's

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Aug 24, 2009
444
Catalina 310 Sturgeon Bay, WI
Has anyone ever found a good replacement for the latches used on the cockpit compartments? It seems my wife is forever cutting the heck out of her leg is passing by these things,:cussing: and I have instructions to REMOVE THEM AND THROW THEM OUT... :eek: but what to use in their place and still keep the compartment watertight? :doh:

Thanks
 

gpd955

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Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
Not 1 hour ago I said that as I was headed back to the helm. So on the way back to the dock I was thinking that maybe they could be replaced with the same latching system that the engine compartment covers have....the rubber ones. You'll still be able to seal the cover tight and it won't feel as bad when you brush by them. Probably won't be able to lock them either but I don't lock mine anyway so it wouldn't be too big of a deal for me.
 
Dec 25, 2008
1,580
catalina 310 Elk River
Well if you are referring to the latches on the cockpit storage seat compartments, they have nothing to do with sealing and everything to do with security. The lips formed into the fiberglass under the edges of the hatch doors provide a channel for the water to follow around the opening kepping the water out much the way car doors are designed.
So if your not concerned with someone stealing you dock lines or what ever you keep in there, then take these poorly designed latches off.
 
Aug 24, 2009
444
Catalina 310 Sturgeon Bay, WI
Jack,

Same thing I was thinking, the rubber style. I guess I am lucky because we also never lock the things in our marina or when we travel - a pad lock on there would make it even worst. Now - where to get the rubber latches? (and I wonder if they make them a little smaller?)
 

Tom J

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Sep 30, 2008
2,325
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
Guess we're all in the same boat here, (chuckle). I've had orders from the Admiral for quite some time to at least move the latch on the port side locker, since it is close to the steering wheel, and we're always hitting it. Just recentlly moved the latch to the forward edge of the locker hatch. Much better. I also replaced the latches for the propane lockers and the anchor locker with solid stainless steel latches, since the old ones were corroded and unusable.
 
Aug 24, 2009
444
Catalina 310 Sturgeon Bay, WI
Jack - you inspired me to do some looking. Nothing against our friends at Catalina Direct, just take a look at the attached? A few different sizes and also on that can be locked, all the rubber type.
 

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Jul 1, 2009
221
Catalina 310 Sydney-Pittwater
Has anyone usdethe following or looked at it? It's flush and similar to the Beneteau latches. May need a bit of imagination to install.
 

pk104

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Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
After cutting my leg again about two weeks ago I took the lock hasp off the port locker and installed a simple flush mount handle that has a ring that lifts up to open the hatch. Had in in the pile of boat stuff I have collected over the last 40 years and a hole saw the right size handy for the drill. Took all of five minutes to do. I put where the hasp screw holes were.

I'm glad I did it and not worried about locking it since a thief would do more damage removing the lock any ways. Plan to remove the other two also.
Gary
 
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