Sheet line Hatch/Solar vent protection??

[Boomer2it]

Thinking of installing stainless steel rails on either side of forward hatch and solar vent above head. Install rails on either side of hatch and vent running forward to aft to try and keep line from jamming when tacking. It doesn't happen often but when it does it's usually at the worst possible time and blowing very hard. The hatch is always dogged down and not afraid of it being torn off, but the vent can easily be ripped off.
I was looking at "grab rails" that I saw might work. Any other ideas?? And yes taking up the slack helps prior to tacking, but things happen......
*edit (boat type) 1980 Hunter 30

 

[dmax]

Those grab rails should work but before you drill holes in your boat see if you can rig up a line or two over the area that allows the sheet to move across freely, won't cost much/anything. Permanent solution can be a more elegant version. A nylon cover would make it slippery.

 

[jssailem]

I am with @dmax . build a mock up and test your theory. The nylon line would be good. You might also try a PVC pipe construction. Do your tests at the dock on a calm day when you could make multiple test runs to tweak your model.

 

[Dalliance]

I have another solution. I had the same issue with genoa sheets occasionally snagging under the forward corners of the v-berth hatch, so I installed small blocks on top of the flange to fill the gap between the flange and the hatch at the forward corners.

I backed out the two lag bolts at the forward corners of the flange and bought two new bolts about 3/4” longer. Then I used a hole saw, I think it was about 1.25” outside diameter, to cut out round discs from a 1/4” thick sheet of black Starboard I had on hand and screwed down stacks of three layers of black discs with butyl sealant. You could use wood also and paint or seal it. 3/4” material would be best. I just used what I had on hand and built up to the desired height.

I did this five or six years ago and it really works. It keeps the genoa sheets, and any other line, from getting under the front edge of the hatch. It’s very discreet and doesn’t create a new trip hazard like I think rails could be. It solves your issue with the hatch. Maybe you could do something similar with the solar vent(?). If not, I can imagine some kind of rails or protective “cage” over the vent too. I have no solar vents, so that one’s not a problem I’ve had to solve.

Sorry, I don’t have any good close up photos of that specific detail, but I did find one I could zoom in on and took a screen shot. Pretty grainy, but you get the idea. The round blocks line up with the edge of the flange. The photo also reminds me that getting a new coat of black paint on my hatches remains on my “to do” list.

 

[jssailem]

I like your idea of building a filler for the exposed gap.

If the desire is a vent the perhaps a dorade would work. I saw these low profile dorades some years ago.
a low profile dorade

Find BLACK LOW PROFILE BOAT DECK VENTILATOR WITH BUILD-IN AIR-ONLY VENT VENTS MARINE in Ta'Xbiex, Malta

Find BLACK LOW PROFILE BOAT DECK VENTILATOR WITH BUILD-IN AIR-ONLY VENT VENTS MARINE in Ta'Xbiex, Malta

www.2040-parts.com

 

[Joe]

A length of bungee with hooks on either end is all you need. Attach the back end a few feet up the mast,(you could just tie it around the mast if you want) then run the cord forward end to a place on deck ahead of the hatch. There might already be some good attachment points that would save you from drilling more holes. If not, you just need a small stamped eye strap with a couple self tapping fasteners and some sealant for the forward attachment point. This approach allows you to experiment with different locations... but the single line should be enouogh to keep the sheet off the deck in that area.