Keeping things in place

[Parsons]

I like Quint's shock cord idea. It meets several important criteria - cheap, rust resistant, doesn't rattle, relatively secure without being a pain to open quickly. and relatively flat on top. It also is not much of an investment in time or modifications, if it doesn't work out well.

 

[Dalliance]

When budgeting for boat projects, I use the "rule of three":
How much will it cost? About three times what you estimate.
How long will take? At least three times as long as you think it could possibly take.
You think it's just one project? No, it's three or more. You'll uncover issues you didn't anticipate and/or you'll go into "while we're at it" mode.
As for those hatch covers that won't stay in place. The Velcro tabs and 1 inch diameter finger holes sound like a good low cost solution in lieu of replacing the missing cushions. You'll need three times as many as you think.

 

[Dalliance]

Duplicate post deleted. Hey, at least it wasn't triple.

 

[SFS]

For those 1 inch finger holes: How do you create the "bevel" or "countersink" effect on both sides of the board? Is that a router application?

 

[justsomeguy]

Is that a router application?

Yes, that's one method, a small roundover with a pilot bearing.

 

[centerline]

Or you could attach like a 1/2 strip of wood on the bottom side of each cover that just fits inside the hatch opening towards the inside of the boat.

This is exactly how we solved the problem on our 25... because its not only when heeled that they can slip.
Before we fixed our cushions so they would stay in place better, the covers would slip when someone was sutting on the cushion and shift around where it would move the cusion and pull the hatch cover out of position... or in your case, where there is no cushion, im sure you experience the same thing.

I used oak trim on the underside of the covers and it works great... i thought strongly about the hinge thing, but as hard as i looked, I could see no advantage to the extra work and expense of using hinges rather the wood trim.. although i did foresee some potential problems with it.

 

[Jacktar]

They are called compartment lids, try a towel over them, out of sight out of mind.

 

[croatan fan]

I had one settee cover that would bounce out of place constantly, out of despairation I used a piece of that clear sticky strip, (that is suppose to pull off clean leaving no reside) from a shipping box I stuck it to the inner rail (rabbet) and now the cover stays in place. I don't have any idea where you can purchase this sticky clear strip, I just repurpose what comes in a package or display pack.

 

[pateco]

These might work as well

Magnetic catch for inset doors

If they are inset/recessed hatches just one of these per hatch should keep them from bouncing out on their own. I would paint with epoxy first to prevent rust. and use stainless mounting screws.