Hatch Board Holder (June 2007)

In the process of relocating the batteries and the holding tank, we gave up the space that was used to store the hatch boards while underway. Normally we would set them outboard, behind the cabin settee cushions, where they were somewhat secure. However, it meant that we still had to carry them down and up the ladder on each trip. There was space, in the starboard lazarette to store them. However, there was no way to secure them. After much thought, we came upon the idea of making a slotted rack and installing it forward in the lazarette. We then decided to use the hull structural stringer to support the rack. These photos show the slotted brackets, in place, and with the hatch boards set in place.

The slotted supports are cut and shaped from 3/4 inch thick “King Starboard” polyethylene plastic material that we obtained from West Marine. Each support is shaped to contact the hull on its lower edge and fit around the hull stringer on its outboard side. The supports are attached to shaped blocks of 3/4 inch teak plywood. The blocks and supports are screwed and bonded to the hull stringer.

{Lesson learned:

1. Always us simple mockup (cardboard or plywood) pieces to check the design and fit before cutting the final material.

2. Be sure to consider all boat motion in the design. The boards have yet to “come adrift” from this rack.}