# Joint hull with deck or cut hatches first?

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [June 11, 2012, 8:55am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750 "2012-06-11T08:55:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Chris\_Folsom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b77776/32.png) [@Chris\_Folsom](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Chris_Folsom)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 8:55am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750/1 "2012-06-11T08:55:29Z")

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My Night Heron build is going very well, but I now have a question on my next step: I have the hull and deck glassed on the inside and out, and I have the coaming lip finished and glassed, but should I join the hull and deck now or cut and finish the hatches first?

Just thought I'd ask before I glass myself into a corner so to speak!

Chris

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**Author:** ![Kathy\_Dube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@Kathy\_Dube](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Kathy_Dube)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 9:53am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750/2 "2012-06-11T09:53:55Z")

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It would be easier to cut and finish the hatches now while you can still work on the underside of the deck.&nbsp; Plus then when you join deck and hull you'll have two more access points to smooth the tape on the inside.&nbsp;

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**Author:** ![Laszlo\_Morocz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Laszlo\_Morocz](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Laszlo_Morocz)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750/3 "2012-06-11T12:56:36Z")

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What do the instructions say?

Laszlo

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**Author:** ![Chris\_Folsom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b77776/32.png) [@Chris\_Folsom](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Chris_Folsom)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/joint-hull-with-deck-or-cut-hatches-first/39750/4 "2012-06-11T16:44:48Z")

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Ok, Ok, Ok,

I see on page 118 of Nick's "The Strip-Built Sea Kayak" he gives very clear directions on "Making the Hatches", and I guess that answers my question.

Thx Laszlo and Nick,

Chris