Front Hatch - arm to hold it up?

[jschrade]

I have seen picture of 26M's with their front hatch propped up to catch the wind. I went through the MOD's pages but did not find one. Curious as to what folks are using to do this.

Jim

[pokerrick1]

Spring loaded adjustable latch from WM. Do a search on this and you should get a lot of info.

Rick Less

[Doug W]

I just received one from KH which came with no instructions as to placement of it. It doesn't look difficult. I will install it this weekend.

...Doug

[Paul S]

here is the all stainless steel adjustable hatch holder from west marine

[Terry]

I have the one that Paul S has, one of the very first little changes I did when I first bought the boat new. What really annoyed me about it was that I had to go out and buy it at the cost of 1 ea. when the factory could have purchased them by the hundred lot at a much lower cost. There have been a few items of this nature that I think the factory should have addressed, especially considering they keep increasing the initial cost almost annually.

[Paul S]

I have the one that Paul S has, one of the very first little changes I did when I first bought the boat new. What really annoyed me about it was that I had to go out and buy it at the cost of 1 ea. when the factory could have purchased them by the hundred lot at a much lower cost. There have been a few items of this nature that I think the factory should have addressed, especially considering they keep increasing the initial cost almost annually.

There are MANY small cost items that the factory could have 'thrown in'. But it would have increased the price of the boat..and the part may not have been what the customer wanted.

When you buy a new Mac, it should be considered a kit boat, to customize the way you want.

With the factory cutback of boats, we need to be thankful they are still making and selling them at the pricepoint they are at!

I know what you mean..all the little add-ons I saw on demo boats at the baot shows..we assumed were standard, were not there when we got our boat. Still an incredible value for a boat.

[Russ]

The latch is also an item that needed to be replaced with a "real" one. Roger isn't known for installing anything extra.

[Tahoe Jack]

Some critical attachment comments are included in my similar mod for my 26x. The custom slip fitting likely will not be necessary since most of these pull apart to allow laying the hatch full open. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=548 Tahoe Jack

[c130king]

Paul / Terry,

Can you open the hatch all the way with the hatch arm from WM?

Thanks,
Jim

[Paul S]

It will open, the way I have it mounted, greater than straight up. If you are less than gentle, the tubes can separate, but easily reattached. I would suggest (and I need to do it myself) is have a chain/rope limiter so it cant come apart. But it does open quite wide.

[c130king]

So the one from WM can be adjusted to any amount of open/close? And just to confirm, is there a way to disconnect so that the hatch can be layed all the way open if you need to use the hatch for whatever reason and want to ensure it is out of the way.

Thanks,
Jim

[Paul S]

So the one from WM can be adjusted to any amount of open/close? And just to confirm, is there a way to disconnect so that the hatch can be layed all the way open if you need to use the hatch for whatever reason and want to ensure it is out of the way.

Thanks,
Jim

I dont think it is designed to separate on purpose. then again you could just remove 2 screws and it will lay back all the way onto the deck. But it can adjust at any angle in its range.

[parrothead]

I sense that I'm in the minority, but I find the original setup on the to be very convenient. With the hatch fully opened and lying on the deck, you can unscrew and remove the "latch" knob, and know that your open hatch won't foul the jib sheets - so you can easily sail with it open for ventilation. I also do all my spinnaker setup & hoisting/dousing while standing in the front hatchway - so again it is most convenient to have the hatch fully open and lying flat. The times when I want the hatch to function as a "wind scoop" are while we are in the slip or at anchor. In either case, I attach a line to the "latch", toss it over the sheets of our roller-furling jib, and hook the end into one of several loops in the line that determine the degree to which the hatch remains open, suspended from the jib sheets. When spending summer nights in the slip, I install a portable AC unit in the front hatchway - so once again it is convenient to be able to open it fully.

[Hardcrab]

c130,
Yes, the one from WM will allow for any opening amount within it's range.
Really nice to help direct air flow into the cabin.

Simple construction, its just a smaller OD tube sliding in a bigger ID tube with a screw type friction ring to hold it at any extension.
I have one just like it, and I've set the "friction nut" part with just enough friction so that the hatch can easily open, yet
stays put at wherever extension you want without any further effort.
It works a charm.
As I recall, one of the existing trim screws at the deck opening makes for a perfect placement for the lower side of the rod mount.
One of the four holes needed is already drilled.
Don't forget to goop the screws for the two holes drilled in the hatch itself.

You can also get full hatch opening because the inner rod will keep extending until it parts from the outer rod.
No internal stops.
No big deal to put back together.

I paid $25 or so four years ago.

[jschrade]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like this may be a bit more complicated that I had envisioned.

Jim