Hatchboard Replacements

[Alan FitzPatrick]

I am looking to replace the hatchboards on my '87 Hunter 23. Question #1: Are they available as replacement parts and where? Question #2: If I were looking for the Teak marine grade plywood, does anyone know of a supplier located in Central New York? Question #3: Would anyone recommend some other type of material that may be more readily available that could be used? Any help will be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve Dion]

I wouldn't use plywood....

Alan:I personally would not use plywood of any type. I would opt for polyboard, solid teak, or plexiglass. The problem with plexiglass or polyboard (Starboard or Kingboard) is that it is quite heavy. Our Hunter 31 came with 5 slats (2 teak, 1 plexiglass and 2 more teak). This give you light below and still maintains privacy (if you care). I would prefer the plexiglass if it was not so heavy. It is good to use a synthetic material on the bottom to prevent rot. If you have any tools, you can probably make these yourself. Just use the old ones as a pattern.

 

[John Baumgartner]

Here is what I did

On my 260 I got rid of the hatch boards all together, made passageway doors. If you care to look.... photo form under "my new 260 improvements" not great pictures but you'll get the idea

 

[Kevin Keen]

Hey, I used plywood...

My teak hatchway boards are too precious for everyday use. So when not using the boat on the weekend, I have a single piece of plywood (I couldn't find any marine plywood in Cleveland, Ohio) with 5 coats of spar varnish which get replaced (outside face only, the inside face doesn't require revarnishing) once per year. My wife made slip covers to protect the teak boards when not in the hatch. The plywood hatch board serves as a spare hatch cover on long distances cruises. - Kevin

 

[Wanderer138]

Call the factory

I got a set of replacement boards from the factory about a year ago for about $35. They were made from some kind of teak plywood. I added four coats of Cetol and two inches of epoxy along the bottom of the lower board and called it a day.PeterH23 "Raven"