Hatches on a Macgreggor

[skuthorp]

Hatches, whether or not. When I first outfitted my decked Macgreggor for sailing I had in mind to seal up the hatches as designed and fit new ones fore and aft on the deck. I find the inboard ones difficult to make watertight and access and, because they leak, a sgnificant problem if swamped. Deck hatches would be above the 'water line' with the boat on its side. Being naturally conservative I stuck with Ians' design.
Has anyone modified a design in this manner, is there anything other than the obvious I should be aware of, is there a recommendation in the design of hatch most suitable. I'm considering a triangular one forward and square aft. I'd appreciate some feedback please, it goes completely against my instincts to cut a hole in any boat!

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[Tom M.]

I have a MacGregor too. The hatches, as designed, are hard to use when you are out of the boat, but are pretty good while in the cockpit IMHO. Mine don't leak. I used some rubber door gasket material bought at the hardware store. I thought I was lucky that they work as well as they do. I planned to use neoprene gasket material if the cheap stuff didn't work.

I should qualify by saying I didn't build the foot steering contraption, so access to the forward compartment is easy while underway.

Skuthorp, did I hear that you had gone on a voyage a few weeks ago in your Mac? If so, how was it?

[skuthorp]

Tom for my adventures see below
http://www.woodenboat-ubb.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001998
When sailing, which is how I mostly use the Mack, the mast blocks access anyhow and I think that it will be easier and as stable with deck hatches.
I left out the foot steering too and use a continuous line with a clamp to lock it if necessary. Recently I roughed up the pedal steering, tried it and tossed it away. There's enough stuff going on in the boat with lines without another tangle. Do you use the duckboards as designed? Thats another thing I've discarded. Do you use the standard rudder? I had a lot of problems because most of my sailing is in a very shallow bay with a short, steep chop and the rudder spent more time out of the water than in it. I fitted a deep narrow one with a kicker that has solved my problem when going about and is much more directionally stable.
Do you sail yours? What rig? Have you fitted rowlocks? I have and she really performs well and keeps me fit !
:D

[Steve Lansdowne]

Here's an idea for holding a hatch tight using a bungee to the interior.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid152/pe14b84e1f554e00783c3b91e2ad247aa/f5b20365.jpg

[Tom M.]

I have not sailed mine yet. Spars are built, but I need sails. That's good info about your rudder. Perhaps I'll build one if the one I have doesn't perform well while sailing. I have not had problems with the standard rudder yet.

I use the same setup as yours for steering. It seems like less trouble.

Oarlocks huh? Wow I wouldn't have considered that. I suppose the Mac would really scoot with oars.

I'm not sure what you mean by "duckboards".

Too bad about your "mishap" with the camera! I'd love to see a pic of her underway. Thanks for the link.