2023 R29 mystery foredeck hatch

[Nate]

Hey Everyone,

On the port foredeck of my new-to-me 2023 R29 there's a mystery hatch. It's held down by a few screws and has white caulk around it. Previous owner says it came from the factory like that.

I'm a bit concerned about this because when I step on the hatch I can hear air coming around the caulk and water usually comes out too. I live in a pretty cold climate so the water that's in there will freeze this winter.

Anyone know what this is? Recommendations for how to keep water out?

Thanks for the help!

Nate

 

[Bosn Mate]

Nate:

I have a 2017 R29 Sedan and your mystery hatch is, on my tug, a hatch that opens and allows additional access to the anchor locker. I can't imagine the factory doing this but.....

I recommend you unscrew the mystery hatch and see what you find. If it was an opening hatch, you will find evidence of this including screws holes for the hinges.

Mike

 

[OverTime]

Hey Everyone,

On the port foredeck of my new-to-me 2023 R29 there's a mystery hatch. It's held down by a few screws and has white caulk around it. Previous owner says it came from the factory like that.

I'm a bit concerned about this because when I step on the hatch I can hear air coming around the caulk and water usually comes out too. I live in a pretty cold climate so the water that's in there will freeze this winter.

Anyone know what this is? Recommendations for how to keep water out?

Thanks for the help!

Nate

View attachment 27827View attachment 27828

I have that hatch also. I'm curious as to what is in there. I should check it out. Who's first? 😀

 

[Mastercraft]

I have a 2017 R29 and I have no mystery hatch. The so called mystery hatch is functional. I have three hatches that are connected to one continuous anchor locker. A friend has the mystery hatch on a 2025 R29. The mystery hatch must cover up a design change. You can stick your head in the functional hatch next to the mystery hatch and see about 3" high dead space. There is no pot of gold. My boat has a large mirror and storage compartment at the head of master bed in berth. Mystery compartment doesn't get the mirror or storage compartment.

 

[Mastercraft]

So it appears that mystery hatch has been made for maybe nine years. Weird!

 

[Mastercraft]

Correction: I thought the mystery hatch was on Bosn Mate's 2017. I misread his post. It says his mystery hatch opens, so really he doesn't have a mystery hatch. So I don't know how long the mystery hatch was made.

 

[OverTime]

If you look at the underside of it from the V-berth, you an see a difference from the starboard side where there is no mystery hatch. Mine is screwed down. I don't think I can reach the bottom of the hatch from the chain locker but I'll check.

 

[S. Todd]

Our 2021 R29S LE has a hinged lid on this space and it is open to the anchor locker with enough space to store a fender, very similar to the space on the starboard side.

 

[OverTime]

Our 2021 R29S LE has a hinged lid on this space and it is open to the anchor locker with enough space to store a fender, very similar to the space on the starboard side.

I'm wondering if it is something I can modify or if it needs to remain like that. Interesting.

 

[OverTime]

Confirmed: On our 2025 R;29CB there is absolutely NO space under the hatch and there is no access to the chain locker from that area. My guess is that on some models that could be (or used to be) a storage area but not on ours.