Deck hatch on Vipermax 7

Richard Selman · 28 March 2011, 18:27

Thinking about installing a 6" hatch to have a peek downstairs to check all is as it should be and perhaps install a sounder through the planing pad.

About 500 mm up the middle from the inside of the transom looks about right.

Is there a support that runs up the centre of the deck? By knocking it feels like they all run across the boat around here.

Could anyone PM me the contact info for Mike who built the hull?

Cheers

Richard

gotchiguy · 28 March 2011, 19:39

That's the best photo I have of ours. I can get a photo of the inside and dimensions next week when we are at the boat if required?

Richard Selman · 28 March 2011, 20:29

Perfect thanks.

I think I can probably work out where you have it from the picture. If you are at the boat at the weekend, it would be useful if you could check whether there are any obstructions a few inches either way fore and aft.

Richard

gotchiguy · 28 March 2011, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

Perfect thanks.

I think I can probably work out where you have it from the picture. If you are at the boat at the weekend, it would be useful if you could check whether there are any obstructions a few inches either way fore and aft.

Richard

No problem. I haven't looked under there before so can't tell you from memory, and unfortunately I am about 4 times closer to your boat than ours. We probably won't be down there before wed/tues next week, but I do break up on Thursday so we'll see how long we stay before going over.

Hightower · 28 March 2011, 20:48

I cut a hole into the deck of my 6.2 in exactly the same place earlier this year. So rest assured, it'll be OK. One tip I can give you is to place some thin ply wood over the deck where the hole is going. I was worried I was going to mess up the anti slip deck with the Jig saw.

Anchorhandler · 28 March 2011, 22:06

Out of curiosity, what benefits do you get in cutting this access hole? (apart from access to fit a sounder as in Richard's op)
Is there anything specific to keep an eye on down there?

Simon

gotchiguy · 28 March 2011, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

(apart from access to fit a sounder as in Richard's op)

Access to maintain and potentially replace said sounder after fitment. And I think access to some part of the fuel tank but thinking about it all the connections are in the console so that is boll*x.

I will have a look when we're next down there, as we have never opened it for fear of damaging the seal.

Downhilldai · 28 March 2011, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Out of curiosity, what benefits do you get in cutting this access hole?

Easy access to bail out the water that gets into the hull void from the hole you've just cut out.

Anchorhandler · 28 March 2011, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Easy access to bail out the water that gets into the hull void from the hole you've just cut out.

BogMonster · 28 March 2011, 23:30

My 5.8 has a hole in the same place, under-deck sounder, the spacing to the drain well would be more or less the same I think.

From memory there is a bulkhead (or whatever you would call it) a few inches forward of the hole so I think you'd need to be careful, unless the 7m is different inside but I should imagine the spacing between transom and bulkhead is similar, there would just be more of them.

Now I have my sounder pointing at the bottom I can vouch for it as being a damn good idea

Hightower · 28 March 2011, 23:45

I tried out my new transducer position at the weekend and was spot on with a little loss at 40 knotts.

Richard Selman · 30 March 2011, 05:44

Don't need the dimensions now Gotchiguy. Went to the garage, picked up the drill, closed my eyes and squeezed the trigger. Trepanning tool struggled with the deck coating (sparks flying everywhere of the grit) so ended up cutting it out bit by bit with a 1.5" hole cutter. 11 power file belts later it was done.

Glad I did it - there was about 2 pints of water down there. Nothing getting through to the wood it would appear.

Thought I would see through to the transom but there is a bulkhead at the front of the sump. Was going to put a drain plug on the transom but there's not much point with the hull sloping up by virtue of the planing pad. Its a sponge down the hole I think. 2 pints in 3 years not too concerning though. Will back pressure the hatch and see whether the leak is visible.

Will send photos once the mess is cleared up.

Richard

BogMonster · 31 March 2011, 00:07

As far as I remember the anchor locker on a Vipermax drains into the under deck cavity so that's probably where your water came from? - wet anchor rope?

I've not used my anchor yet so not verified that but I think it drains into there - it doesn't drain anywhere else anyway. Mine has a transom drain bung fitted but it is completely dry in there so I've not used it yet.

Downhilldai · 31 March 2011, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

As far as I remember the anchor locker on a Vipermax drains into the under deck cavity so that's probably where your water came from? - wet anchor rope?

Don't think so, dood. The deck on the VM is sealed and runs flat all the way through the anchor locker.

BogMonster · 31 March 2011, 01:55

Ah. I thought mine had a drain hole out the bottom ... dodgy memory maybe. Must have a look, if I can be bothered to haul the anchor etc out, which I probably can't

Hightower · 31 March 2011, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Don't think so, dood. The deck on the VM is sealed and runs flat all the way through the anchor locker.

My anchor locker was completely sealed and I fitted a drain to the rear of it above deck to allow drainage if needed.

The water probably got in to the transom boxes though rubber cable grommets or those stupid deck hatches that don't really seal watertight and the level has risen higher than the tops of the under deck cable ducting that's inside.

Richard Selman · 31 March 2011, 05:17

I would have thought the ducting was continuous. Might be going down the outside of the ducting. My bet is the fixing points for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats.

Got another 3 pints out last night when I jacked the nose right up.

Richard

Erin · 31 March 2011, 09:42

I get a little bit in my bilge, which I have assumed gets past the deck hatch. As Hightower says, they really don't seal very well. I also get water in my transom boxes. I thought I'd found the weak point which was a gap between the tubes and the box right next to the deck flange. However, having filled that with silicone, it still gets in somehow. Love to know where.

Richard Selman · 31 March 2011, 11:30

Bogmonster/Hightower - are you using through-hull transducers? Straight through which means that the beam is point aft a bit or angled so its vertical (or a little forward)?

Richard

Hightower · 31 March 2011, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Selman

I would have thought the ducting was continuous. Might be going down the outside of the ducting. My bet is the fixing points for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats.

Got another 3 pints out last night when I jacked the nose right up.

Richard

I think you might find some drain holes in there somewhere. I certainly wouldn't want my cables, hoses etc sitting continuously in water.