A little Fabrication help needed

[a70eliminator]

I'm having a litle trouble getting this project started, need some reasurance and some ideas. I consider myself exceptionally talanted when it comes to stuff like this, but I've got sort of a cerebral block. Take a look at these photos and see what I'm planning to do. The picture is all I have to go on, I can only imagine how the door jamb seals, latches, hinges, ect. Now I was planning on taking the easy route and just buying a hatch cutting the hole and installing, except the location is not perfectly flat, nor will a rectangle hatch be large enough to fit my anchor. When I saw the pictured hatch in a boat just like mine I made my mind up it's a must have whatever it takes. I can simply cut the section out with a jigsaw and use that peice as my hatch, but I have not yet figured out what to do for a jamb stop and seal, the hinge and latch I don't think will be too hard, I'm not worried about boxing in the inside either, that part will be easy, and as someone mentioned earlier I can even incorporate a drain through hull above waterline (tube and clamshell) My problem is without a definate game plan on what to do for a jamb I really can't begin. heeeeeelp meeeeeee !

 

[Bondo]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

Ayuh,............... Duct Tape,+ Cardboard...............

Cut the Hatch Cover out of the deck,....
Prep the area,+ build a Cardboard,+ Duct Tape "Form" for the new hatch Jamb,......
Then cast it in Epoxy,+ Glass........

The "Form" can either be removed later, or cast right Into the Structure.......

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

Thanks bond-o thats excellent advice! That perked me up some, I'm hip to carboard templates and ductape.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

Nice boat

 

[pduquette]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

a70e I've been having fun with PVC trimboard . I've used it on simple things like my battery / electric junction support -to a more complex shaped shift controll box holder that i curfed + heated + glued with PVC cement . Cuts, routs, like soft wood, can be bent + glued too . white in color - oh yea it floats too!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

Hmmm, PVC trimboard is that a hardware store item? Not really familiar with tell me more.
By the way I've still not cut the hole, still scratching. Probably just need to go out there and do it, then worry about how i'm going to fix it. I still like the idea of making the whole frame out of carboard trial an error, then cast it in epoxie and roving mat. Thing is I can't simply just go out and buy the hatch because it will have a triangular shape just lke the one in the photo, the chances of getting one from Chaparral Dealer are probably nil for a 1993 boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

Probably just need to go out there and do it, then worry about how i'm going to fix it.

Ayuh,...........

That's usually How Great Things Happen..............................................

 

[pduquette]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

RE: PVC trim board

yea I got mine at H.D. - but would bet lowes has similar product . Most H.D carry it in the millwork section near the moulding etc . Generaly used as exterior trim for siding corner boards/decking trim/soffit where bugs rot or mould would ruin wood .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: A little Fabrication help needed

I'm a big fan of that PVC trim board. I used it this past Spring to replace the "dash" of my boat. The below picture is the before but the after looks the same.