Large Rectangle Hatches

[BjornTheMenace]

Howdy,

I am looking to replace an old solid hatch with a more modern acrylic windowed style. Currently the opening is 18"x24" and I can't find a hatch in that size by the common hatch manufacturers.
I have to either resize the opening to fit a square (cut the hole larger or build up the deck), which I would like to avoid to keep the current structure as it or find a hatch that is the correct size.

Anyone here knows if someone makes larger rectangular acrylic hatches? Or would that only be done as a custom job?

Cheers,
Bjorn

 

[Tally Ho]

These guys have some rectangle units….

Rectangular Deck Hatch - Aluminum and Tempered Glass

The Galamarine rectangular deck hatch is made from anodized aluminum and tempered glass. It provides durable and weather-resistant protection. Get yours today!

galamarine.us

Here is their sizing chart….

 

[BjornTheMenace]

Thx Tally Ho!
So very close, just missing the right combination for what I need

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Hatchmasters might be able to fix your current hatch if you cant find a replacement

 

[dLj]

Can you post pictures of your current hatch(s) that you are looking to replace? That might help the more inventive minds on here to come up with innovative answers...

dj

 

[BjornTheMenace]

Here are some photos of the opening and of the current hatch.

Mr. Mayhem, I would be able to fix up the old hatch but would love to be able to have some light in our forecabin.

Basically just need a hatch that is 18x24 inches and it be pretty easy to install. But finding that size of a hatch is proving difficult.

 

[Calif. Ted]

How about leaving the existing hatch and cutting it out for a hatch or put a couple fixed light portlights in it?

 

[BjornTheMenace]

Considered that as a back up in case my hunt for a hatch fails, that I cut a hole in the current hatch and place some heavy duty acrylic or plexi overtop. Downsides would be the weakening of the hatch by having to cut a hole in the middle and another would be the size of the window wouldn't be as great as having the whole opening being a see-thru hatch.
Other option would be to cut the hole 6 inches larger, build up the newly cut edge and installing a 24"x24" hatch. More labor and possibly weakening the strength of the deck structure.

Anybody know of companies that make custom sized hatches?

 

[jssailem]

What are the measurements of the opening? Not the hatch. The opening is your rough opening. A hatch will fit inside of that and sit on top of the opening.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

That is a custom fiberglass hatch specific to your boat. Standard hatches have much larger radius in the corners so those are out unless you want to spend some big money to have one custom fabricated. You can install a hatch on your existing hatch but it looks like it has a bit of a curve to it. Most off the shelf hatches are made for flat surface installations and finding one with just the right curve might be difficult.

I think the most practical approach would be polycarbonate or plexiglass. You will be able to use most or all of your same hardware. If the think plexi is too tall for the hinge, raise the hinge with washers or a custom shim/block. I'd recommend 3/8-1/2" material. You can cut it yourself or have a local plastic supplier/fabricator do the work. Many S2 boats have a similar design so look at those for examples.

 

[BjornTheMenace]

What are the measurements of the opening? Not the hatch. The opening is your rough opening. A hatch will fit inside of that and sit on top of the opening.

The opening is still 18"x24", the current hatch is about 21"x27".

That is a custom fiberglass hatch specific to your boat. Standard hatches have much larger radius in the corners so those are out unless you want to spend some big money to have one custom fabricated. You can install a hatch on your existing hatch but it looks like it has a bit of a curve to it. Most off the shelf hatches are made for flat surface installations and finding one with just the right curve might be difficult.

I think the most practical approach would be polycarbonate or plexiglass. You will be able to use most or all of your same hardware. If the think plexi is too tall for the hinge, raise the hinge with washers or a custom shim/block. I'd recommend 3/8-1/2" material. You can cut it yourself or have a local plastic supplier/fabricator do the work. Many S2 boats have a similar design so look at those for examples.

Neat idea making a Plexi lid as a DIY hatch. Could easily add a riser arm and a twist handle to lock it.
Just need to make the seal watertight.
Might be the way to go with the limited rectangle hatch size options.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Neat idea making a Plexi lid as a DIY hatch. Could easily add a riser arm and a twist handle to lock it.
Just need to make the seal watertight.
Might be the way to go with the limited rectangle hatch size options

Use the same style of weatherstripping that's on your current hatch? There's plenty of options for different self adhesive strips depending on height. I have one window who's hardware store weather stripping gets replaced every year or two because the original part is no longer available

 

[dLj]

The opening is still 18"x24", the current hatch is about 21"x27".



Neat idea making a Plexi lid as a DIY hatch. Could easily add a riser arm and a twist handle to lock it.
Just need to make the seal watertight.
Might be the way to go with the limited rectangle hatch size options.

That's where I was going when I asked for pictures. Be mindful of the lip on that original hatch. You will want something like that on your replacement. Those seals don't withstand water coming from the side with force.

I'm a fan of modern UV and scratch resistant polycarbonate. But acrylic will also work. I like the added strength of the polycarbonate and the modern formulations don't suffer from the UV degradation that the earlier formulations used to. Acrylic is still more UV resistant, but I don't think you will notice the difference. You will feel the cost difference...

If you do decide to go with acrylic, be sure to use cast acrylic....

dj