Forums, Engine, Gearbox, Stern Gear, etc, Cockpit floor inspection hatch?

gregcope at 15/12/2011 20:45:37
Has anyone fitted or heard of a cockpit floor inspection / access hatch? Not looking for the whole floor access of the CO26 (although that would be good).

Access via the pilot berth is a yoga challenge, and I warn my partner to call someone if I do not respond within a few hours as I might be stuck!

Ta.

George Isted at 16/12/2011 10:22:44
Hi Greg, Yes it is certainly possible but not that common, my concern would always be about how good the seals of a hatch would be. I’m pretty sure that Cantata has a hatch in the cockpit sole that made fitting a new engine easier.
Personally I’ll stick with the Yoga as it’s not often that you need to get to the back of the engine.

the5young1z at 22/12/2011 10:36:28
Greg,

Canata does have a ‘hatch’ that Robin used to get the Beta engine in. It is silkaflex sealed and screwed down so not readily available.

I had the hatch lifted last year as the stern gland and cutlass bearing were worked on last winter and it does give great access without doing the yoga and having orangutan arms.

I have asked Adrian at silverwood in Port Solent to see if he can devise a hatch that is both strong enough and drainable to provide easy access.

Rob

moongirl at 22/12/2011 20:16:06
Any hatch in the Cockpit floor would need to be very strong. in the event of being ‘pooped’ it would be more than possible to have 1/2 ton of water in the cockpit before it drained out through 2 Bath Wastes!

Nick Martin at 30/12/2011 20:32:55
Aristophanes has a hatch in the cockpit, which is firmly held down by about 30 machine screws with a rubber seal, which has proved water tight so far. It was really useful when I needed to renew the seacocks, and also when major work was done to remove the prop shaft to renew the cutlass bearing and seals.

It has stood up to some very lively conditions, including last summer when we were sailing back from Brittany in a 6 – 7 when a fish landed on the sprayhood roof! To date there has been no water ingress, thoujgh I do want to renew the rubber seal this spring, and also put a flange under the aft part of the grating as it does not sit flat with the hatch in place.

Hope this helps,

Nick