PocketShip.net

Has anyone figured a way to make the lazarette hatches flush with the seat? From pictures, it looks as if they would be uncomfortable to sit on as you move around while underway.

Or maybe change the access to the vertical footwell sides?

Creekboater,

You could certainly make the lazarette hatches flush, but it would require a fair amount of work by backing the hatches and setting them down into the seat top. You might also need to move the support cleates underneath to accommodate the doubler.

Access would be limited if you install the hatches vertically down in the footwell as it's only 12" wide before the thickness of hatch lids.

My plan is to cushion the cockpit seats forward of the lazarettes which will in essence make the hatches flush or nearly flush with the seat top cushions. Just my 2 cents...

1. Sitting on the hatches puts one's weight too far aft for good sailing trim, and puts one in the way of the tiller. It's best to stay ahead of the tiller
2. In the event the hatches must be sat on, it's not uncomfortable.
3. Like some others, I actually raised my hatches to keep water out. The lazarettes usually stay bone dry now.

The attached photo shows the raised "gutter" I made to raise the hatches. I did this before season two. Previous to this mod rain water often made its way into the locker.

Bob ("Luna" launched 2017)

Bflat wrote:1. Sitting on the hatches puts one's weight too far aft for good sailing trim, and puts one in the way of the tiller. It's best to stay ahead of the tiller
2. In the event the hatches must be sat on, it's not uncomfortable.
3. Like some others, I actually raised my hatches to keep water out. The lazarettes usually stay bone dry now.

The attached photo shows the raised "gutter" I made to raise the hatches. I did this before season two. Previous to this mod rain water often made its way into the locker.

Bob ("Luna" launched 2017)

Bob,

I love the way you raised your lazarette hatches. What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing. I'm definitely going to follow your lead on this.

Best,
Brent

Flush hatches have been done, by me and others: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=577&hilit=flush+hatches

I really like the flush hatch setup because it makes sitting very comfortable.

I followed this design exactly, and it "works", but with a caveat. It drains into the footwell, but there is often more water than the capacity, so it would leak into the compartment if there isn't a good gasket seal. Since you need a seal anyway, I've come to realize the draining part isn't very useful, so when I redid my Pocketship this summer, I removed that portion of it and now built mine exactly as specified in the Guider design by CLC: there is a small lip, with a gasket glued to it around the hatch opening. The door is completely removable. There are four swivel "hatch dogs" held down by through-bolts through the deck that hold the hatch door tight against the gasket. I haven't tried this design yet on the water.

Thank you all for the comments. I'll certainly have to give this some thought.

Bob, I didn't think about seating location relative to the tiller while underway. But, a particular use I would like out of my pocketship is a casual sail with at least 4 adults in the cockpit. For that reason I know I'll have to sit inefficiently from time to time. Sure would be nice to move and slide around on a flush seat. But I can now see that making the hatches flush will require a bit more thinking and craftsmanship than I anticipated. Craig, thanks for the link you send as that should be helpful in making my decision whether to go through the trouble.

I'm really grateful for this forum. Thanks fellas.