May 16, 2023
Further 94
Tuesday
To complete the new hatch, the last work required was to lay out and install the compression latches–one on each short side. These would catch on the underside of the cleats I’d installed in the cockpit earlier and hold the hatch tightly, we hoped, as well as allow some handles to help maneuver the hatch in and out.
Using the latch as a guide, I determined the mounting location on each side, far enough inboard so that the lever on the bottom of the latch would catch the cleat where the hatch rested upon it and centered fore and aft along each edge. After marking the locations, I drilled 2-1/2″ holes to accept the latching mechanism.
To prepare the holes, I reamed out some of the exposed core from each opening, leaving a void that I filled with a thickened epoxy mixture once I’d masked the top of the hatch for protection.
Late in the day, I masked off around the edges of the hatch and applied a coat of gray Bilgekote to the underside of the hatch.
Total time billed on this job today: 1.25 hour
0600 Weather Observation: Mostly cloudy, 55°, dew point 34°. Forecast for the day: Mostly cloudy, 70°