Installing a Center Hatch

Written by Chris Parson

Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:24

Here I've installed the center hatch system on an Elie Horizon 130 which is standard equipment when you upgrade to the Elie Horizon 130 Angler package.

Using the hatch seating flange, I traced the inner opening for my cut. I then carefully followed that line free hand adding approximately 3/8 of an inch for clearance. The upper part of the flange gave me some oops room in the event that I over cut just a bit.

It's Not a bad idea to measure your hatch flange itself to make sure that you don't over cut. This area of your kayak will see a lot of weight transfer and abuse. It needs to remain as strong as possible.

Simply drill a hole and cut out your opening. I like to use a jigsaw on a slower setting for this.

Test fit your hatch. Make sure that your cut area is free of burrs and shavings prior to installing the hatch. Having a clean seating surface for your hatch flange is important as this area needs to seal tightly to keep water out as well.

Predrill and insert your screws or rivots. Feel free to add your prefered water seal here after test fitting your hatch cover. NOTE - once you have tightened your hatch screws, allow whatever you use as a sealant to dry through. If you plan to install a hatch storage pouch you don't want this pouch to be there perminantly.

You are ready to rock!

You must be registered to post a comment.

JComments

Login

Also of Interest

Most Popular

The Ultimate Home Made Kayak Fishing Trailer
I really enjoy your magazine and I’m glad to see this sport catching on so much. Last winter, I got so hooked on kayak fishing that I bought two Hobie Outbacks and rigged them...

An Introduction to Rigging a Fishing Kayak
The way an angler rigs a kayak for fishing is a very personal undertaking. The choices you make are dependent upon your fishing style, and the waters you paddle. What works for me...

Buiding a Kai-Rack for Kayak
They say that, "Necessity is the mother of invention," but in truth, sometimes a really bad case of cabin fever, combined with watching old Tim Allen’s Home Improvement...

Random

Swift Drift Anchor
After 3 seasons of river steelhead fishing using a drift chain setup on my Jackson Coosa, I decided it was time for something a little more substantial. There are often times...

Maximize your Handlheld VHF Radio's Battery Life
A handheld VHF radio is an indispensable tool for kayak fishing adventure travel, for angler to angler communication, listening to weather forecast, or a lifeline in the case of...

EZ Kayak Stand
We've all used sawhorses to camp chairs to folding cots trying to get our yaks stable for rigging and storage. Herb Reyes has adapted a folding PVC cradle that's cheap, easy...