Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
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NiceAft
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by NiceAft »

JimmyT said:-
Good thing we have boats. Otherwise we'd all be trapped under big piles of money.
:D That’s funny. Really really funny. :D

My wife and I just finished breakfast, and are chuckling. Thanks :)

Ray
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Hamin' X
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Hamin' X »

NiceAft wrote:JimmyT said:-
Good thing we have boats. Otherwise we'd all be trapped under big piles of money.
:D That’s funny. Really really funny. :D

My wife and I just finished breakfast, and are chuckling. Thanks :)

Ray
You folks ought to try an airplane! Instead of Boat Bucks (BB), they are called AMU's (Aircraft Maintenance Units). They more closely resemble the AMU that I learned in school, Astronomical Measurement Unit. :x

~Rich
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Tomfoolery »

Jimmyt wrote:Good thing we have boats. Otherwise we'd all be trapped under big piles of money.
:D :D :D :D :D :D
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sailboatmike
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by sailboatmike »

thewitt wrote:Please don't change the subject, but I like your painting. lol
Really????? Changing the subject is just par for the course around here. :D :P

The old handle looks like a automotive panic strap, all plastics like that will get dirty and deteriorate in short order.

While you may have preference for a plastic handle they are not really practical on a boat.
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Tomfoolery
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Tomfoolery »

I took this today. It's the 12" version from WM.

Image

And yes, that deck plate is off center a little, but the PO did that. Par for the course. :|
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Jimmyt
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Jimmyt »

Sailboatmike said
Really????? Changing the subject is just par for the course around here. :D :P
. Some of my favorite discussions happened when you more experienced guys went off on a tangent. Have no fear, intrepid newbie. They'll get back around to your topic eventually. At least "Peaches" hasn't decided to make an appearance yet. That's usually how I can tell that all interest in the original idea has been lost.

Image

And the Atwood plastic handle... Bolt spacing is right at 7-1/2".
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by thewitt »

Jimmyt wrote:Sailboatmike said
And the Atwood plastic handle... Bolt spacing is right at 7-1/2".
Do you like that handle? How has it worn?

Was that a replacement for the stock handle?
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Jimmyt
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Jimmyt »

There is no stock handle on an M. Bought this a couple of weeks ago, because unlike Ray, I kept skinning my knuckles when moving the hatch. Bored two holes in my hatch, which had never had a hole in it before, and mounted the handle.

I like having a handle better than not, and this one is fine for the way I'll use it. It's actually rubber over plastic, so tactile-wise, it's got a better feel than stainless. The engineer in me almost regrets the plastic structure purchase though.

For the two weeks it’s been mounted, it has held up fairly well. I’ve gotten it a little dirty grabbing it with my greasy/dirty/sooty hands. Since my boat was in the garage during our fire, I’ve been scrubbing soot off of her, which is probably not a great situation for a white handle. It will probably give several years of service because the boat only stays in the sun when it’s on the water. The rest of the time it’s downstairs in the shop; drinking a bud and watching the game. If it was an outside boat, I’d have likely gone stainless...
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by thewitt »

Perhaps a nice big chrome handle is the way to go.

What are you folks using for product to plug holes?
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Jimmyt
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Jimmyt »

Epoxy product such as JB Weld, Marine Tex, Marine RX (west marine's version of marine Tex), would be quick topside hole repair materials. I've used the white Marine RX, and put white gelcoat over it and made an invisible repair to my white hulled M (after a little wet sanding and polishing).

Unless you're only in freshwater and away from the coast, you're looking for a stainless handle. No chrome plated steel. I'd put the plastic handle on before I put a chrome plated handle on. Where I live you can watch things rusting for live entertainment. The mold bloom is our state flower, and the termite our state bird.
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Highlander
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by Highlander »

U can also use this product
Image

I have two handles on my hatch inside & outside
Image

and a nice curved one on the outside if u enlarge the pic,s & look closely u,ll also notice the two rubberized handles on each side of the entrance ladder just inside the cabin under the sliding hatch they match the liner colour as well
Image

I installed large s/s body washers for extra support as I can really pull hard on them when going up or down the ladder

J 8)
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Re: Anyone replace the hatch cover handle?

Post by thewitt »

Inside handle! That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing
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