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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Retrofit Front Hatch

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Designwiz
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/20/2004 : 10:41:55

Just wondering about some feedback on replacing the front hatch with the CD smoked plastic one. I have had one on back order

for months and am thinking of just canceling out. Has anyone out there been able to buy one of these hatches this year and if so was it worth the time and money? I think they nicely update the looks of the C25 but are they practical.

Wind Dancer

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2004 : 15:34:53

I've seen good reports on the retrofit hatches posted in other threads.

However, it was just too much money for me... I spent the boat units on other items.
I actually like a darker V-berth area (except for reading light). Makes it easier to take an afternoon nap.

"Most of my wealth I spent on wine, women and boats... the rest I squandered"

Edited by - on

adamb
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2005 : 22:45:30

we bought one fron this link
http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/v%20berth%20h.htm
it was pretty expensive but it fit perfectly, we used all the old original hardware and we love it. It make a great difference down below, feels much more poen.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 11:34:51

How much did the hatch cost? Is it beefier than the original? Can you stand on it? Slippery?

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Designwiz
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2005 : 12:57:57

I finally did get the retrofit hatch, a few days before I had set a deadline for myself to call and cancel it. My true honest opinion of it....I would have been better off spending the money somewhere else. It does let the light into the vberth and it does make the boat look newer but the fit was not that great (at least on mine). I ended up putting a gasket around the edge of the inside face to seal it better. Personally I think you can get almost the same effect by cutting out the inside of the stock hatch leaving maybe 2" inch shelf all around. Have a glass shop cut you a piece of 1/2" thick smoke colored Lexan and bolt it to the inside of the stock hatch. If you want to make it stronger you could have a metal frame made to go on the outside of the hatch and then thru bolt the lexan insert in. The picture frame plate that you had made up on the outside, the remaining 2" shelf of the orignal hatch would be next and then the lexan stock you had cut on the inside. Thru screws every couple of inches with finish washers and you have the same effect for less money.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2005 : 15:52:00

Here is my answer to the lack of light in the V berth. This is one of the old style ports from the head. It is nice to be able to see the stars at night even when it is too cold to leave the hatch open.

So far after 5 years, no leaks, no slips.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2005 : 19:38:45

The Lewmar portlights in our head swing in and up to open. Having one of those mounted on the hatch would allow a breeze (and light) into the V-berth without having to lift the hatch, thus not interfering with the sweep of the headsail. Thanks for the idea Ed.

Steve

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2005 : 02:57:57

Ed another creative idea. I see you have snaps to put a cover over the port. We have the same, we made a cover out of mesh fabric that still lets some light in but keeps us from baking inside on a hot day.

I notice your jack lines. What do you have them connected to? Right now I use the bow cleat but it makes docking an anchoring a pain. I have thought about adding a pad eye or cleat on the center line like it seems you have done.

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2005 : 16:39:48

Todd, You are correct, I have a cover made of Sunbrella that snaps on to cover the port light. I also have a spring loaded blind attached to the inside that allows some light in when privacy is an issue. I picked the blind up at the local Kragen Auto. The jacklines are attached to a pad eye that is positioned about 4 feet back from the bow. This pad eye was part of a club footed jib system that my boat came with. I have since removed most of this system, but the pad eye is too well attached and comes in handy so I left it. In fact I have wondered if I could set up a cutter rigged jib off of this pad eye?? Wouldn't that be cool. Two head sails on those light air days.

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pjeffarch
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2005 : 00:01:41

That portlight in the hatch is SO COOL! Great idea!

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megrier
1st Mate

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USA
55 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2005 : 09:43:14

Ed, where did you buy the port that you installed? What was the cost? Thanks! Greg

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2005 : 14:05:54

Greg, I replaced the ports in the head with Lemar opening ports so I had the originals available at no cost. I installed the non opening port in the forward hatch as you see in the previous photo. I installed the old sliding port, after repairing, in the quarter berth.

The quarter berth port doesn't seem to be as exposed to the weather and is more vertical then the original head location. I haven't noticed any leaks and it sure is nice to have light and air back under there.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2005 : 22:09:38

What great ideas. Thanks, this window vent is my next project. Jim S

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2005 : 00:26:41

I replaced my forward hatch with the cruising concepts hatch and have been very happy with the result. It did require a gasget and I got rid of all the catalina hardware. I used west marine dogs and a telescoping adjustable arm. The dogs can really draw the hatch down tight and I rarely get water except when we really bury the bow and take a lot of green water.

http://www.geocities.com/neebish1904/

if you go to my site and look at the Isle Royal pictures there is a good shot of Nin Bimash II showing off her hatch.
Leaving tomorow for Lake Superior and a rendezvous with Al Eckert for the inaugural of the Upper Lakes Cruising Group. If all goes well we will conduct a cruise of the North Channel in '06. I will do a piece for Mainsheet on this trip. John G, get ready for another one. This should be fun with several C25s in fleet.

Edited by - John V. on 06/18/2005 00:30:14

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.