Reliably Watertight hatch!

[Nasher]

One of the things I need to do to ‘The Nashers Revenge’ when I get access to her again is to change the Bilge pump.
An easy job that is turned into a horrible one by access.

The RIB has an enclosed transom with a well below deck level where the Bilge pump and in hull transducer live.

The rear seat severely restricts access:





The well can just be seen to the left of the transom knee in this image:



So getting to the bottom of the well is done with one arm only, at arms-length, in a very uncomfortable position from above through a small inspection hatch in the transom cover.
I've done it a few times over the years and and it's not fun, especially trying to put a screw in etc when you can't see and have stuck the screw to the end of the screwdriver with grease or tape.
When the smaller Nashers were younger they could just about crawl in the covered space enough with a torch and see down the well to give instruction.
But they are too big now.

This is a very old pic but it’s the only one I have. Ignore the since filled in cover panels on each side and the cable to the old transducer that was on the transom.



The small round inspection hatch is water-tight, which is great because the drain seen on the bottom right is below the water line when the boat is stationary.

What I want to do is replace the small inspection hatch with something bigger to improve access to the well.
But it needs to be watertight, or I’ll need to remember to put a bung in the drain each time I leave the boat stationary.
Even then waves sometimes come over the transom at rest.

Anyone had any luck with a reliably watertight hatch that’s of a Nasher spec in terms of cost. Ie low?
I was recently shocked by the £200 cost of a round 8" Bailey plastic hatch which would only be a small improvement.
Either round, square or Rectangular, it doesn’t matter, and bigger than the 6” one there at the moment.

Thanks

Nasher.

[Nasher]

This looked like a bargain for 30 seconds

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MMB-X-L-W...gAAMXQAx9RPfkj

Nasher

[spartacus]

Good luck with the Delphi fuel filter too when you come to replace it!

The fuel cartridge tends to seize on (even with a smear of engine oil). I set up a vice in the shed for this type of job in future, and easier dismantling the whole thing, than trying to work in an enclosed space.

[GuyC]

Whale do the TCL4 that has a 7" hole. Bomar do some plastic deck plates that go up to about 9 1/4" opening. ASAP Supplies do an 8" opening watertight inspection cover for about £11.

The latter, becasue it's basically a tenner, would make be slightly nervous if it was permanently immersed.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Good luck with the Delphi fuel filter too when you come to replace it!

The fuel cartridge tends to seize on (even with a smear of engine oil). I set up a vice in the shed for this type of job in future, and easier dismantling the whole thing, than trying to work in an enclosed space.

Strange you have that problem.

I change it every year, and it's never been an issue.

nasher.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by GuyC

Whale do the TCL4 that has a 7" hole. Bomar do some plastic deck plates that go up to about 9 1/4" opening. ASAP Supplies do an 8" opening watertight inspection cover for about £11.

The latter, becasue it's basically a tenner, would make be slightly nervous if it was permanently immersed.

Thanks Guy
Yes there are loads about, I've googled and found them from cheap to expensive, but I'd like to know if anyone has found one that doesn't leak in their experience.

Nasher.

[Last Tango]

Hi Nasher.

I've got exactly the same setup in my engine well and found solution is just to use the cheep ones, sealer on them when you screw them in and just smash & replace them if you need to take it off again.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Hi Nasher.

I've got exactly the same setup in my engine well and found solution is just to use the cheep ones, sealer on them when you screw them in and just smash & replace them if you need to take it off again.

Yep. I suppose that's an option, but doesn't really appeal unless I exhaust all other options first.
Do you carry a spare hatch if you take the boat away for a week or so?

Nasher.

[jeffstevens763@g]

These are good

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Hender...yABEgKiBPD_BwE

[paulbrown22]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

These are good

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Hender...yABEgKiBPD_BwE

Agree - we have several of those on our sailing yacht, and never yet had an issue with them. I think they make for a much tighter and more reliable seal. Certainly a lot better than those little black hatches earlier in the thread which just screw in to a housing - I've had several of those leak.

[Brian]

I think I may have one somewhere.
A used but goodie-Bailey I think.
I will look it out today.
Dont buy one just yet-you can have this one for freebies.

[Davie]

We have used every type up to now on this topic and every one leaks a little if flat on the deck submerged. All we use now is a flat bit of glass with foam deck seal tape and screwed down. Costs next to zero and works!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Brian

I think I may have one somewhere.

A used but goodie-Bailey I think.

I will look it out today.

Dont buy one just yet-you can have this one for freebies.

I have a Bailey hatch (8”) set flat into the deck for the same application as Nasher, I.e. accessing a through hull transducer. It’s bone dry underneath, not cheap but does the job. Just make sure the frame is well sealed into the deck & the O ring has a smear of silicone grease.

[Brian]

Blast. Just had a look at it. Its a Bailey. Outer ring just under 12" and inner hole about 8.5".
But........although is clean and the outer ring i.e. that fastened to the deck, is perfect. The inner ring has a chip in its top which allows the O-ring to be visible. This would probably allow ingress although Mr. Bailey himself!!!! told me that it was still watertight.
But I doubt that a perfectionist, such as your self, would allow such a fitting.

Sorry Nasher, I thought I was on to a good deed then.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by Brian

I think I may have one somewhere.
A used but goodie-Bailey I think.
I will look it out today.
Dont buy one just yet-you can have this one for freebies.

Brian

Hi.

That would be fantastic thanks, let me know if you find it and we'll come to some arrangement.

I do actually need another for over the fuel tank sender. It's right in the wrong place, gets lots of foot fall and diving cylinders put on it, and gets broken quite often.

Davies Idea of a plain panel screwed in could also work OK as I don't need to go down there often.
I could even fit the existing small waterproof round one that's already proved itself into the middle of it.

I feel a project coming on. possibly I can TIG weld up an Ali frame with captive nuts underneath, fit that properly with Sikaflex then screw a glassfibre panel into it with a rubber seal. And the existing one in the middle for instant checking purposes.

Thanks

Nasher.

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Yep. I suppose that's an option, but doesn't really appeal unless I exhaust all other options first.
Do you carry a spare hatch if you take the boat away for a week or so?

Nasher.

The only thing I need it for access is a bilge pump and the lower engine bolts so as there's always the "trunk" and a second bilge pump to fall back on. I don't have any urgent need to get in there. My filter/separator is under the back seat so accessed without needing to get under the well. Makes it easy to check every time out. It does have "Smartcraft" monitoring but always happier with a wee peek.

[gtflash]

I find myself in a similar position now how did you resolve this?