# Striped-Plank deck hatches 

**URL:** <https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428>\
**Category:** Builder's Forum\
**Created:** [July 25, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428 "2014-07-25T00:51:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mike\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@Mike\_Johnson](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Mike_Johnson)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428/1 "2014-07-25T00:51:44Z")

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I am excited to do my first build. I am building a hybrid Chesapeake 18. I do have a question on the hatches. I am a avid kayak camper and like the idea of larger sized hatches to make access easier.

This is my first boat build as a fairly expereinced woodworker but do have a couple "new boatbuilder questions". How and when do you recommened the hatches be cut and constructed. I am fine with invisible hatches however the the breakup of the design with hatches held down by straps is fine too. I am simply looking for a good method.&nbsp;

Once the deck is dried, do you then trace out the deck hatches and simply cut them out with the sabre saw? Then provided a lip underneath with weatherstriping and the bungee tension holding the hatch down?&nbsp;

Just wondering if there are a variety of methods and instructions somewhere?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Howard\_Spira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ec9cab/32.png) [@Howard\_Spira](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Howard_Spira)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428/2 "2014-07-25T15:08:04Z")

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Germanshep,

_Once the deck is dried, do you then trace out the deck hatches and simply cut them out with the sabre saw? Then provided a lip underneath with weatherstriping and the bungee tension holding the hatch down?_

Yep, this is basically the approach.&nbsp; a couple pointers on this.

- to ensure the hatch remains aligned with the hull, don't cut the hatches out until you have glassed both sides of the deck.

- with respect to building the lip, you will need a spacer and a lip.&nbsp; the spacer will be one layer of 4mm okoume that looks like a ring with the inside of the ring equal to the hatch cutout.&nbsp; the outside of the ring can be scribed by adding about 1 inch all around the cutout and then cutting it.&nbsp; (so its a one inch wide ring)&nbsp;&nbsp; epoxy that in place.

the lip than is another ring of 4 mm okourm with the outside of the ring equal to the outside of the spacer and the inside 3/4 inch insde of the hatch cut-out (so this is&nbsp; 1 and 3/4 inch wide ring).&nbsp; the 3/4 inch extra creates the ledge to put the weatherstripping on.

if you forget the space, you will not have space be able to compress the weathersrtipping and have a flush hatch.

for actually holding the hatch, you have your choice between a number of methods...&nbsp;outside straps or bungees, tabs that swing over from the deck to hold the hatch in place (e.g., the arctic hawk), or you can create a blind system (no outside straps or tabs)

&nbsp;

hope that helps

&nbsp;

Howard

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/uploads/clc/original/1X/cf22079d59704e5c3cf9240fe53ff8dd2757dabb.png) [@system](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428/3 "2014-07-25T15:42:53Z")

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just to clarify above....

from the underside of the deck the spacer comes next, than the hatch lip. (spacer between underside of deck and hatch lip)

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Jacoby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@Jack\_Jacoby](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jack_Jacoby)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/striped-plank-deck-hatches/42428/4 "2014-07-25T17:19:40Z")

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Go with hold downs of what ever kind on the outside. The blind bungees take up cargo space and would be hard to use in a tightly packed cargo area. SEEYA Jack &nbsp;&nbsp;