MacGregorSailors.com

Not real sure what to call this thing...

I spend a couple nights a week on the boat in a marina throughout the winter and wanted a little more headroom. Figured make something redneck engineered for a few months that can be easily pulled off in the spring.

The original hatch still slides open/closed under it for sealing the boat up and the wood contraption slides forward out of the way also. Not sure how much effort I want to put into it as far as durability, but need to coat it with something cheap to waterproof it. Thinking maybe just some exterior paint. Any suggestions? Put a coat of primer on it already... Figure give it a try and if it works out maybe make a nicer one with windows next year.

Thoughts

Awesome! I like it. What thickness of plywood did you use?

I'm kinda impressed. How much did you say you were selling them for?

Very nice work. Looks like it came with the boat.

Why not just use a dodger? Well, one reason is this device is probably a LOT cheaper.

If I were'nt " vertically challenged" I would be wanting this mod for sure...looks like it really opens the cabin up

Being over 6'2" in height, I have to say, "Brilliant!!!"

Very clever idea! I bet you'll see more of those popping up. A quick question, I walk on my hatch all the time. Can your "dog house" hatch hold weight too?

Again, very clever idea and it looks like you've got some great carpentry skills too.

Doug
s/v Galactica

Looks really good, probably could cover it in fiberglass and finish with a white gel coat. Could be a good "first fiberglass job" if your new to it.

Seapuppy,
It is nice to have greater headroom over main hatch. I prefer to have a cover over the main hatch forward to prevent seas, sand and such to prevent sediments in main hatch that sand the movement of hatch. Like the bigger boats that have the hatch sliding into a cover.
I am socked the newer M's and next generation don't have that cover.
Dave

Seapup wrote:Not real sure what to call this thing...

I spend a couple nights a week on the boat in a marina throughout the winter and wanted a little more headroom. Figured make something redneck engineered for a few months that can be easily pulled off in the spring.

The original hatch still slides open/closed under it for sealing the boat up and the wood contraption slides forward out of the way also. Not sure how much effort I want to put into it as far as durability, but need to coat it with something cheap to waterproof it. Thinking maybe just some exterior paint. Any suggestions? Put a coat of primer on it already... Figure give it a try and if it works out maybe make a nicer one with windows next year.

Thoughts

Thanks for the nice remarks.

What thickness of plywood did you use?

The ends are 3/4", and the top and sides are skinned in cheap 5.2mm.

A quick question, I walk on my hatch all the time. Can your "dog house" hatch hold weight too?

Doubtful unless you weight about 25lbs I also stand on the normal hatch all the time since I lower and cover the mainsail while on the roof. Will have to get used going around it. I am thinking it will be mostly out of the way sailing when shoved forwards to the mast. Its pretty light so may get tossed on the dock with the original hatchboard we keep around for locking it up. It did survive a 5' crash from the cockpit to the concrete drive while I was bringing it down

probably could cover it in fiberglass and finish with a white gel coat. Could be a good "first fiberglass job" if your new to it.

I was tempted to try that. I figure try this first since it was cheap ($12 for the ply and $14 for the paint) and see if I actually like it. If so then try another with fiberglass and incorporate any changes. I picked up a gallon of oil based gloss white exterior paint at the bargain outlet and gave it a coat of that over the weekend. Looks like the paint will be drying awile....but it will be well sealed

It is nice to have greater headroom over main hatch. I prefer to have a cover over the main hatch forward to prevent seas, sand and such to prevent sediments in main hatch that sand the movement of hatch. Like the bigger boats that have the hatch sliding into a cover.

I hear you. If it were more than a marina hood sealed to the roof while longer and beefier would add function. We keep the boat on a flat river at MM0 on the ICW during the winter so its main purpose is to let me stand up straight while having a cup of coffee and putting on my tie in the morning Once it warms up we will have the kayaks back on the roof and it will have to come off.

Very nice mod , if u angled the front to more match the boat outlines it would be more sleeker & u could leave it on all yr , I'd like to do something simular to replace my dodger on a pernament basis when it needs replacing , basicaly make a simular mold of the dodger & have it snap on & off with same window design, These boats have all sorts of things that can be modified to make them more livable @a very reasonable price if one shops around or is very handy

J