Forward-facing Hatch Opening

J

JohnH

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
57
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
I know that this topic has been discussed previously in this forum, but I want to ask some very specific questions. I am considering re-orienting the 2 forward main cabin hatches on my R-27 so that the hinge is on the aft side and the opening faces forward. The goal is to improve ventillation when underway. I believe that the R-27 hatches are square, so they would fit into the openings after being turned 90 degrees. Right? Will the screws line up into the same holes as originally, or will I have to drill new mounting holes? Is there any operational problem in doing this? Obviously, I intend to keep the hatches open when underway -- at least in calm water so that the hatch support and hinge are not stressed by pounding in waves. Is there some reason that is not obvious that the factory did not mount the hatches with the opening facing forward?

Can those of you who have made this change affirm that ventillation is actually improved?

Thanks in advance,
John H
 
JohnH":3juxtc8i said:
I am considering re-orienting the 2 forward main cabin hatches on my R-27 so that the hinge is on the aft side and the opening faces forward........... Will the screws line up into the same holes as originally, or will I have to drill new mounting holes? Is there any operational problem in doing this?
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The only way to be sure will be to measure between the centers of the screw heads before you remove the hatch.


JohnH":3juxtc8i said:
Obviously, I intend to keep the hatches open when underway -- at least in calm water so that the hatch support and hinge are not stressed by pounding in waves.
Click to expand...

It's not just the pounding of the waves, it's air pressure against the hatch that matters too. I would guess that if the hatches are onloy opened a little, and are then the slides are clamped really firmly you should be ok, but if they're opened too far or not clamped tightly enough, they could get away from you and flip back and get damaged.

JohnH":3juxtc8i said:
Can those of you who have made this change affirm that ventillation is actually improved?
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I haven't done it, but I can guarantee the ventilation will be improved if you make sure that the air that's coming in through the hatches has somewhere to get out again.
If the rest of the boat is closed up you'll just get a lot of buffeting.
 
Search for a thread "Fan by the helm station". This thread describes how to turn the hatches. We are thinking of doing the same thing. We have already added a clip on 12 volt fan to the helm station. The fan helps, we think turning the hatches will help even more. We think the Ranger Tugs were built primarily for boating in the northwest and that is why the hatches open to the side. All the hatches we see here in North Carolina open to the front. Otherwise it is just too hot.

The thing we have done that really helps boating in the heat is to cut on our generator and the air conditioner while boating. This, of course uses more fuel but we have been able to use the boat when it would have otherwise been too hot.

Jim and Jo Ann
2008 Ranger Tug R 25
Southport, NC
 
I had my dealer turn the hatches before delivery so I can't comment on the screw placement. However the ventilation is great. When under way I just open them a crack and the air streams in nicely. You won't want to open them too much because sea spray will get you wet.
Enjoy
 
After communicating with Andrew this week to confirm there was no reason not to change hatches 90 degrees I unscrewed our front two hatches this week and reset them so they faced forward. Andrew commented that I should dab a bit of silicone on each screw as I re entered it to maintain a proper adhesion. After unscrewing the screws on the roof I found you need to gently move the hatch back and forth to have it come loose from the seal. I did not have to remove the interior piece. A very easy process and with the extreme heat recently I'm looking forward to having more breeze entering the boat on the fly and at anchor.
 
I can not address the R27, but on our R25 we rotated three of our hatches (one over berth and two overhead at helm and passenger station) to open forward several years ago. No issues in the rotation or screw alignment, and have encountered no problems running in Lake Erie with leaks, etc. Works great to improve airflow. The admiral picked up a set of magic mesh curtains (as seen on TV style) and fabricated the panels to fit cabin door and that works very nice with the rotated hatches to keep airflow moving and bugs out.
 
Having the hatches open forward will also help with air circulation while at anchor. Unfortunately, the overhead hatches on the R21 are rectangular and cannot be rotated. The hatch over the v-berth is square and already faces forward, and works well for air circulation. If you read the little stickers on the hatches, they say the hatches should be closed when the boat is in motion. I don't know of anyone though that has had a problem with the open hatches while in motion.
 
RProffer":tu4nnwrs said:
... If you read the little stickers on the hatches, they say the hatches should be closed when the boat is in motion. I don't know of anyone though that has had a problem with the open hatches while in motion.
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When you buy a hair drier, you will see a warning that says, "Do not use in the shower!" 😀 Open hatches and moving boats could allow water in through the hatch. If you get in conditions where water is coming over the cabin top, you'll probably remember to close those hatches. 😉
 
JamesTXSD":19bii2u9 said:
RProffer":19bii2u9 said:
... If you read the little stickers on the hatches, they say the hatches should be closed when the boat is in motion. I don't know of anyone though that has had a problem with the open hatches while in motion.
Click to expand...

When you buy a hair drier, you will see a warning that says, "Do not use in the shower!" 😀 Open hatches and moving boats could allow water in through the hatch. If you get in conditions where water is coming over the cabin top, you'll probably remember to close those hatches. 😉
Click to expand...

As I was reading this, I looked over and Willie is in our shower using her hair dryer. I told her that she was putting herself in danger, but she said she was wearing rubber flip flops. Of course where else are you going to use a hair dryer on a 27 tug but in the head/shower. That is where the mirror is located.
 
Yes it is wonderful! 🙂
 
I called "flip-flops" THONGS when I was young, but when I recently told a young clerk that I was looking for a pair of thongs, I got the strangest look! The look then changed to horror when I told her that my on-line friends suggest that wearing thongs in the shower will prevent electrocution. I think you sometimes have to filter the advice you get on the TugNuts Forum.
 
Portugeezer":utj6k3ki said:
I called "flip-flops" THONGS when I was young, but when I recently told a young clerk that I was looking for a pair of thongs, I got the strangest look! The look then changed to horror when I told her that my on-line friends suggest that wearing thongs in the shower will prevent electrocution. I think you sometimes have to filter the advice you get on the TugNuts Forum.
Click to expand...

There are some importent differences betweeen 'American' and 'British' english, and not just the spelling.
Some have no consequence, like 'elevator'/'lift' and 'bonnet'/'hood'.

Mixing the American and British meaning of 'fanny' could get you into an interesting situation too. :? 😀
 
Not to mention: come by and knock me up in the morning.

Are you sure they aren't making this stuff up just to see us go "Huh?" :lol: And what does this have to do with a forward facing hatch? 😉
 
JamesTXSD":zw8q5ajp said:
Not to mention: come by and knock me up in the morning.

Are you sure they aren't making this stuff up just to see us go "Huh?" :lol: And what does this have to do with a forward facing hatch? 😉
Click to expand...

Portugeezer started it! 😛

My apologies for prolonging it though, and I hope it didn't offend anyone. 😳
 
Returning topic to forward-facing hatch opening. No puns intended.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
They tend to fly off at 65 MPH if not properly latched . Probably the reason the Factory orients them the way they do . Better check em before trailering !
We used to call the warm weather footwear in question Zorries.
Marc
 
Sorry, for the runaway thread, but back to British words V USA, you can imagine the horror on our British friends' face when my wife told them she got a new fanny pack.
 
Back to the thread. I think they open aft for the same reason sunroofs do on a car. That being said, they will bring in a lot of fresh air.

Charlie
 
The hatches on YOLO were rotated by Peter Haywood at Winter Island Yacht Yard just before we took possession.

It does improve air circulation, especially at anchor or on a mooring when she heads into the wind.

This season, we tried something else. We have not used the de-foggers at all. So we rotated the louvers (they just pop out) 180 degrees and we get some nice air movement when underway and can't open any hatches or windows.
 
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