[Public-List] Access hatch for cockpit

[Jay Davenport]

Winslow,
Another option for access to the area behind the engine is to put a hatch in the cockpit locker bulkhead between the engine area and the port cockpit locker.  
I installed a removable 2' x 4' hatch there on my boat, # 526. Cutting that vertical bulkhead, and adding hardware to allow it to be removed when necessary, provides good access to the rear of the engine, the rudder packing gland, and the shaft, as well as hoses and wiring in the area. At the same time, it does not interfere with usability of the cockpit locker. 
I have seen no indication that it has compromised the rigidity or structural integrity of the cockpit. If you are planning on doing long distance blue water cruising, you might want to have a professional confirm that. It seems to me that having significant access is itself something that a long range cruiser would value. 
After 10 years, the modification I made has proven worthwhile to me, and has allowed maintenance and adjustments that were previously being delayed or undone.
Jay Davenport
Revolution, A30 #526


 

    On Saturday, June 27, 2020, 01:49:20 PM EDT, Winslow Ayer via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:  
 
 Thanks Don, good info. I didn’t know that the access was for a pedestal. I’m a big guy and getting over the engine, while not too terrible, is rather uncomfortable. Being able to get leverage is the real problem.

Thanks again and enjoy the summer,

Winslow

> On Jun 27, 2020, at 11:29 AM, Don Campbell via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> It is not just about watertight. It is also about the design for watertight if the boat is hit by a wave and the cockpit filled with water. That includes significant weight in the cockpit and in the boat. It will change the buoyancy of the hull and if that mass leaks into the hull, it will significantly hinder the ability to recover and manoever that waterlogged hull.  The round access fitting  is to allow for a wheel pedestal and access for those cable controls. Sometimes what you would like and what is safe in all circustances is not the same thing.  For the number of times one accesses the stuffing box and drive shaft, one can go over the motor, or if things require major work, take the motor out. It takes me about an hour and a half to remove the motor and about 2 1/2 hours to put it back in and realign it. Safety is the main thing here and if the boat is compromised by adding access hatches, then the resale value is much less.  There are times when one needs to appreciate the expertise involved in design and then respect that the designer has done things with reason and for safety in all conditions.
> Don Campbell
> 
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Winslow Ayer via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
> Cc: "Winslow Ayer" <135sleddinghill at gmail.com>
> Sent: 2020-06-27 9:51:46 AM
> Subject: [Public-List] Access hatch for cockpit
> 
>> Anyone know of a good watertight access hatch to replace the small one in the sole of the cockpit? Would like easier access to the drive shaft and stuffing box. I can reach but not really do a lot without help from the engine side.
>> 
>> Winslow
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