Age and Mother Nature have exacted a toll on the forward hatch of my 1987 O272 and a replacement seems inevitable. Original hatch made by Gray Enterprises/Tampa, who is now part of Pompanette/Bomar. I searched the archives and found some helpful info, as well as calling Pompanette for guidance, but the various dimensions for hole cutout, flange, lid, etc. seem to be a bit confusing. I suppose there's a certain amount of "leeway" in the dimensions, but I'm trying to zero in on the closest/best fit before I purchase. Anyone here change their 272 hatch with success and might have a part number to pass along?
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I have Rudy's number on file...
...but I'd like to try something other than the original design as a replacement. The original design used flip-down "dogs" that are spun up a threaded shaft and tightened against the bottom of the hatch. Over time, the contact area on the hatch has weakened and cracked, making it impossible to latch and lock the hatch properly. My buddy's Cat 30 has hatches with 1/4 turn handles (Bomar, Lewmar??), are much easier to operate, and appear less likely to suffer damage from overly-eager strongarm teenagers. Since the old design has probably been put out of it's misery, maybe Rudy or someone else knows what replacement fits properly. Thanks!
...but I'd like to try something other than the original design as a replacement. The original design used flip-down "dogs" that are spun up a threaded shaft and tightened against the bottom of the hatch. Over time, the contact area on the hatch has weakened and cracked, making it impossible to latch and lock the hatch properly. My buddy's Cat 30 has hatches with 1/4 turn handles (Bomar, Lewmar??), are much easier to operate, and appear less likely to suffer damage from overly-eager strongarm teenagers. Since the old design has probably been put out of it's misery, maybe Rudy or someone else knows what replacement fits properly. Thanks!
O'Day hatches
are junk. I have the same type of hatch on my 222. Years ago, the lens broke on my hatch and I was lucky to replace the lens and adhere it in place with 5200. Then the dogs froze up and I was able to take the hatch completely apart and free them up and this was after I had driven back to Defender Marine in Connecticut to return a Bomar Hatch that was a shade too small for the opening in my bow. Even the new Bomar Hatch had a broken dog handle when I got it home and opened the carton that it came in. Those things are junk too. So now, the plastic is all broken where the knobs tighten down and the hinges are starting to break. I'm almost tempted to build a hatch out of white oak. At least it will be stronger than the piece of junk that came with my boat. A friend of mine who does cabinet work for a living bought a Pearson 26 and rebuilt everything inside the cabin. He did a lot of reconstruction work on the deck and Awl gripped the boat. He had bought a hatch for the boat that was a little small for the opening so he built an oak frame to mount the hatch on and it came out very well. Of course, everyone knows that oak can turn black if it's not sealed, but likes working with it and has the tools to do it. Whatever type of wood that a guy wants to use is up to that individual, but the hatches on the O'Days also have square flanges on the inside and most hatch replacement don't come with an inside flange. This is what you run up against when you replace your hatch. If you think the hatches are cheap, you should check out the adjusters that they sell on the market. One of the guys in my yacht club just bought two of them for his Mac 26, and he broke it. They're made of chrome plated brass. If you're smart, go to a boat show or a store and check out these hatches before you order one. There's a lot of junk being sold out there and it's well worth paying the extra money for something that will last. As for me, I'm tempted to build my own out of wood and fiberglass. Joe
are junk. I have the same type of hatch on my 222. Years ago, the lens broke on my hatch and I was lucky to replace the lens and adhere it in place with 5200. Then the dogs froze up and I was able to take the hatch completely apart and free them up and this was after I had driven back to Defender Marine in Connecticut to return a Bomar Hatch that was a shade too small for the opening in my bow. Even the new Bomar Hatch had a broken dog handle when I got it home and opened the carton that it came in. Those things are junk too. So now, the plastic is all broken where the knobs tighten down and the hinges are starting to break. I'm almost tempted to build a hatch out of white oak. At least it will be stronger than the piece of junk that came with my boat. A friend of mine who does cabinet work for a living bought a Pearson 26 and rebuilt everything inside the cabin. He did a lot of reconstruction work on the deck and Awl gripped the boat. He had bought a hatch for the boat that was a little small for the opening so he built an oak frame to mount the hatch on and it came out very well. Of course, everyone knows that oak can turn black if it's not sealed, but likes working with it and has the tools to do it. Whatever type of wood that a guy wants to use is up to that individual, but the hatches on the O'Days also have square flanges on the inside and most hatch replacement don't come with an inside flange. This is what you run up against when you replace your hatch. If you think the hatches are cheap, you should check out the adjusters that they sell on the market. One of the guys in my yacht club just bought two of them for his Mac 26, and he broke it. They're made of chrome plated brass. If you're smart, go to a boat show or a store and check out these hatches before you order one. There's a lot of junk being sold out there and it's well worth paying the extra money for something that will last. As for me, I'm tempted to build my own out of wood and fiberglass. Joe
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