Please advise re forehatch shield....

[ronacarme]

With forehatch open, persons asleep on v-berth on our X are visible to people walking along the headdock.Thus, we need a shield/cover that will allow....
1.ventilation thru open forehatch,
2.no view of the v-berth from headdock,
3.no rain entry,
4.compact stowage of cover/shield when not in use,
5.quick and easy installation and removal of the shield/cover, and
6.if possible, movement from cabintop to bow and back with shield/cover installed.
Suggestions, please?
Thanks.
Ron

[Frank C]

Upside-down dinghy ??

(only half-kidding )

[DLT]

Tarp suspended by the jib halyard?

[kmclemore]

Yeah, going off DLT's thought I might run a tight line from the mast to the bow rail and then lay a tarp over it - kind of a boom-tent in reverse.

[Chip Hindes]

Way simpler than a tent or the like, with a screen fastened to the inside lip of the hatch with Velcro, it is virtually impossible to see inside the boat except at night when the lights inside the boat are on. Doubles by keeping the bugs out.

This hatch holder has infinite adjustment and shut down to a few inches keeps the rain out. It cuts ventilation a little as well but when it's raining you usually don't need as much. It takes only seconds to pop it open or closed; and you can do it from inside or outside the hatch. What looks in the photo like a fat support rod is actually a coil spring, and you can collapse it by pulling it sideways; if you're really in a hurry just give it a kick.

[RandyMoon]

I am planning a Sunbrella trapezoid shaped tarp with grommets that can be attached to the lifelines and stanchions on the front of the boat.

This will allow:

1. ventilation thru open forehatch,
2. no view of the v-berth from headdock,
3. no rain entry,
4. compact stowage of cover/shield when not in use,
5. quick and easy installation and removal of the shield/cover,

On the back of the boat I am planning something similar to "tent" over the boom, easy connection.

[Captain Steve]

I got a tent off Ebay. Have seen them in other catologs. Just use the halyard to clip in the center loop and spread out the corners on bungy cords. Works just like you describe. Blue and white quandrants allow for faster setup! It was like 20 bucks as I recall.

[Dubraque]

Same as Capt Steve, except home sewn using white and blue parachute nylon. Very stowable, nice looking, reflects heat (only trim is blue), nd allows ventillattion.

[kmclemore]

Way simpler than a tent or the like, with a screen fastened to the inside lip of the hatch with Velcro, it is virtually impossible to see inside the boat except at night when the lights inside the boat are on. Doubles by keeping the bugs out.

This hatch holder has infinite adjustment and shut down to a few inches keeps the rain out. It cuts ventilation a little as well but when it's raining you usually don't need as much. It takes only seconds to pop it open or closed; and you can do it from inside or outside the hatch. What looks in the photo like a fat support rod is actually a coil spring, and you can collapse it by pulling it sideways; if you're really in a hurry just give it a kick.

That's *exactly* the setup we have, Chip. The Admiral made a bug screen for the front hatch but instead of velcro we used snaps around the edges - this allowed us to stretch it more tightly than velcro would. And I installed that same adjuster on the port side. Works a treat.

[jackie m]

Hatch umbrella
http://www.boat-owners.com/detail.htm?c ... &group=227


Or golfclub umbrella
http://www.theclubumbrella.com/


Clamp-on chair umbrella:



Or make your own clamp-on umbrella using a stainless steel umbrella clamp:
http://web.ripnet.com/~madams/tempcleat.html



jackie m

[Captain Steve]

first pic is the one I have....

[mtc]

Steve,

I've been considering that model. How easy is it to get to the anchor?

Michael

[Captain Steve]

I use it when I am in a slip. The bottom edge is usually the same height as the front pulpit so there is clearance for the anchor locker to open. If I am at ancor the anchor hatch is closed so there is no interference. It is easily un bungied if you wanted all access to the anchor. By adjusting the angle of sunshade you can direct a breeze down the hatch.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Our bug buster screen that drops over the hatch provides a pretty good visual screen.

Our hatch adjuster is also very good.



It works on friction so even while it is holding up the hatch you can just push on it and it will close easily. This is nice if you are going forward from the cockpit and need to get it out of the way.

My simple solution to your problem is to just back into the slip if you are concerned about people walking along the dock looking into the hatch. At a busy marina we often do this to gain more privacy. I also like the easier access to the cockpit. I've installed mounts so the same fabric panel that closes the back end of my cockpit can be placed at the companionway. This way I don't have to mess with the hard hatch board to get privacy. Our screened full enclosure takes care of the bugs and we don't slide the top hatch fully closed if we want ventilation.

[Dan B]

A cheaper solution - back into the slip.