Forward Floor Hatch

[windknotnc]

Has anyone ever put a floor hatch in front of the center console? There is a very large area in front of the tank box that could be used for a variety of items that don't necessarily need to be completely dry. See the circled area in the picture. I am thinking about cutting the floor and putting a 13" x 24" hatch like is at the stern of the boat up front to install 2 deep cycle batteries for a 24v trolling motor. I would also use this space to store lines, extra life jackets etc... Any thoughts?

 

[Bryan 2530]

Not in a CC, but I am considering an Anchor Brand hatch for the floor of my 2530, I would love to access all that storage down there that is foam filled.

An anchor hatch would be water tight for your application, I say go for it!!!

http://www.anchorhatches.com/

 

[windknotnc]

The P&E hatches are nice but they tear $400 all to pieces. Fortunately there is no foam in this boxed area so glassing a shelf for batteries will be easy.

 

[Megabyte]

The deck of our boats are self bailing, so any storage below deck could easily become filled with water if the hatch is not waterproof.
The Anchor Hatch is probably the most 'waterproof' of the breed, but should any water get in there, you'll be sponging it out.

Keep that in mind if you happen to store anything in there that is water sensitive.
Also be aware that because it will be sealed, mold will be an issue.

Below deck storage is a great idea, but understand that it comes with it's own set of issues.

 

[windknotnc]

This area can drain. There is a piece of 4" PVC pipe that is split and serves as a drain under the sealed tank box. The boxed area in front of the tank is connected to this drain so any water that gets in there would drain to the stern. The entire boxed stringer system between the two main lengthwise stringers is drainable. Outside these stringers is foam filled and completely sealed. I agree there could be a mold problem if it is not allowed to get air. I was planning on gel coating this entire area inside which would help in keeping it serviceable.

 

[Megabyte]

Excellent !

 

[sparky]

The deck of our boats are self bailing, so any storage below deck could easily become filled with water if the hatch is not waterproof.
The Anchor Hatch is probably the most 'waterproof' of the breed, but should any water get in there, you'll be sponging it out.

Keep that in mind if you happen to store anything in there that is water sensitive.
Also be aware that because it will be sealed, mold will be an issue.

Below deck storage is a great idea, but understand that it comes with it's own set of issues.

They try to be waterproof, but they aren't. We've got 6 of them on our 42' Wesmac. They all leak. If you are religious about keeping the grooves clean, and the seal siliconed in place, they'll stay mostly dry. The only thing that's better are Freeman, but $$$$. Plus, the Freeman's use a single lever in the middle to open, rather than 4-8 toggles.

http://www.freemanmarine.com/Hatches2400Summary.htm

 

[hammered]

I did the same thing on my 18 foot .I glassed in a flat bottom and put a brass drain tube towards the rear of the box.Used a Tempress cam lock hatch.Not waterproof but was ok for me.

 

[gw204]

I would try a 20" x 10" Armstrong hatch before I spent the big bucks on one of those fancy ones. The opening should be plenty large enough to squeeze a battery through.

http://www.armstrongnautical.com/deckplates.htm

 

[Candidos Dad]

I would like to do a similar somewhere in my 1989 2520..
Not sure where the stringers and framing is though.
Anyone aware?
I would also like to plumb a cabin heater from my engine cooler but unsure of how , where , and what to drill to run the 5/8 " hoses..

 

[Megabyte]

Call the factory with your HIN number.
They can advise...

 

[jhendric]

My 2501 came with a hatch like you describe. It is a very large compartment, it has a through hull to drain it. The compartment is wet ad will take on water easily, I use it for my big fish bag and other items that can be very wet. I'm planning to mount anchor chocks in there and stor my main anchor in there as well. I take out the plug and leave the hatch open when I store the boat which sits on a trailer.

My hatch is a fiberglass hatch, I've tried various forms of wether stripping like material for waterproofing..it does slow the water down but it still gets wet. I am interested in any tips on making that hatch watertight....in fact I posted that a while back...

 

[Mike S]

I think it's an OK idea if...

You are sure that 180 lbs. of batteries and cables, etc, won't mess up your trim.

If you can figure out a way to keep the batteries DRY.

I am planning on a pair of 12V marine batts in the forward section of my console. Of course, my boat is an 1801 so it is not as long as yours...