Hey guys, Being a solo overnighter on occasion, I would like to get input on the best way to lock my companionway hatch from the inside. There currently is no system and everything I've thought of or have had suggested seems flimsy at best. What have ya'll done/seen that seems fairly beefy? Pictures would be appreciated. LaDonna
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Inside Hatch Lock
Two suggestions LaDonna: 1. Duplicate hasp on the outside and inside. I assume you have a hasp arrangement as placed by the manuacturer, but I would use a pin with a lanyard inside, so you make a fast emergency exit ie: no padlocks inside. 2. A pole from the inside of the hatch lip to the bow end of the hatch opening ( similar to the bar you put in sliding patio doors)and again a fast method to release. The hatch would have to be placed over the duck boards. On my friend's Beneteau 405, he put a Radio Shack battery operated motion detector on the mast step. Unfortunately, the only intruder it detected was a great big, mooring line walking rat, which prompted his wife to ask for a return airplane ticket home. Proved the detector worked and she did calm down---eventually. Locally, we have a dangerous gang of intruders, they board your boat, attack your body , even genitals, and if you don't defend youself, they'd have no hesitation to leave you dead or dying-- of course I refer to our Provincial Bird--the Mosquito. (They love tourists, especially U.S.) Seriously, I hope my suggestions might help, now if I could solve my stern rail problem.........
Two suggestions LaDonna: 1. Duplicate hasp on the outside and inside. I assume you have a hasp arrangement as placed by the manuacturer, but I would use a pin with a lanyard inside, so you make a fast emergency exit ie: no padlocks inside. 2. A pole from the inside of the hatch lip to the bow end of the hatch opening ( similar to the bar you put in sliding patio doors)and again a fast method to release. The hatch would have to be placed over the duck boards. On my friend's Beneteau 405, he put a Radio Shack battery operated motion detector on the mast step. Unfortunately, the only intruder it detected was a great big, mooring line walking rat, which prompted his wife to ask for a return airplane ticket home. Proved the detector worked and she did calm down---eventually. Locally, we have a dangerous gang of intruders, they board your boat, attack your body , even genitals, and if you don't defend youself, they'd have no hesitation to leave you dead or dying-- of course I refer to our Provincial Bird--the Mosquito. (They love tourists, especially U.S.) Seriously, I hope my suggestions might help, now if I could solve my stern rail problem.........
Perfect AND simple!
Here I was, conjuring all sorts of complicated locking systems and the answer was in front of my face the whole time! I actually like the pole idea better though cuz I could see someone really strong pushing hard enough to yank the screws out of the dropboard. Yea! A weekend project!! Thanks loads (and sorry about the genital suckers)! LaDonna
Here I was, conjuring all sorts of complicated locking systems and the answer was in front of my face the whole time! I actually like the pole idea better though cuz I could see someone really strong pushing hard enough to yank the screws out of the dropboard. Yea! A weekend project!! Thanks loads (and sorry about the genital suckers)! LaDonna
Air Horn....
LaDonna - If I were you, I would also keep an air horn quite close to my person. I'm a relatively big guy (6'4", 200 lbs) but when I sleep at the dock, I always have a Mag Lite and my air horn in close proximity. The Mag Lite will knock just about anyone senseless (I have proof of this), and if it fails, the airhorn will get the attention of anyone in my marina or the neighboring ones. This being said, I have never had the opportunity to use either, which is quite nice. Of course, you can always wait for the next boyfriend to come along as well, but they are not as dependable as the air horns...
Best of Luck -- Rob
LaDonna - If I were you, I would also keep an air horn quite close to my person. I'm a relatively big guy (6'4", 200 lbs) but when I sleep at the dock, I always have a Mag Lite and my air horn in close proximity. The Mag Lite will knock just about anyone senseless (I have proof of this), and if it fails, the airhorn will get the attention of anyone in my marina or the neighboring ones. This being said, I have never had the opportunity to use either, which is quite nice. Of course, you can always wait for the next boyfriend to come along as well, but they are not as dependable as the air horns...
Best of Luck -- RobBoy, you can say THAT again!
I keep the airhorn (AND a bad-a** Myerchin knife up there with me as a last resort) but it wouldn't do much good if I was anchored... I had one friend suggest trading the nozzle head on a canister of mace with one from a WD40 can so I could insert the little tube & squirt it out the slots in the hatch boards! Very inventive!! LaDonna
I keep the airhorn (AND a bad-a** Myerchin knife up there with me as a last resort) but it wouldn't do much good if I was anchored... I had one friend suggest trading the nozzle head on a canister of mace with one from a WD40 can so I could insert the little tube & squirt it out the slots in the hatch boards! Very inventive!! LaDonna
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