Ranger tug top hatches orientation

[stwendl]

The tugs top hatches in the main cabin open towards the side. What is the rational behind that orientation. I would expect the hinges face forward so the hatches can be opened and prevent spray from entering the cabin while underway

Any one know the answer to that? I think I read a post where the tug owner turned the hatches around to achieve that goal.

 

[Levitation]

The rationale is, umm, err, well, gee..
Just turn the hatch 90 and get me out of this conundrum :lol:
I have not bothered since if it is that hot I am either underway or under AC :mrgreen:

 

[SGIDAVE]

The tugs top hatches in the main cabin open towards the side. What is the rational behind that orientation. I would expect the hinges face forward so the hatches can be opened and prevent spray from entering the cabin while underway

Any one know the answer to that? I think I read a post where the tug owner turned the hatches around to achieve that goal.

Hello ST,

If your hatches are SQUARE then simply rotate them. The pilothouse hatches in the Ranger Tugs I've seen are, unfortunately, NOT square but rectangular, so that rotating would get the hinge on either the inside or outside.

dave

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

The hatches on our R27 are square and shortly after we purchased Kismet I unscrewed our two forward hatches and rotated them to open facing forward. Did so for better ventilation.

Jim

 

[TomFoolery]

Facing forward? Don't you get wet when waves are breaking over the bow?

Tom

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Tom:

Most days and times that we have our overhead hatches open the water is not that rough and therefore no problems. However, when it is rough enough to create spray we do need to close the hatches all or part way but that would also happen (maybe to a bit lesser degree) with the hatches in their originally installed position.

Jim F

 

[ALICE J]

Has anyone tried having the hatches opening aft? A thought is that a venturi effect would be created drawing out the boat air and sucking in air from opened back door or side windows. I have seen this on sail boats. This would not work in a following wind, the diesel fumes would be sucked into the cabin and sink up every thing. Any experimenters willing to give a report.

 

[BradOwens]

Forward opening front hatches and rearward opening rear hatches would work even better when underway, or with the wind off the bow at anchor. Less chance of drawing in exhaust fumes than opening the aft cabin door.

 

[Hydraulicjump]

We also have a 27 with square forward hatches. We reversed them so they face forward and they do a great job of delivering the breeze into the boat, particularly at anchor when the boat aligns to the wind. It is a godsend on a hot day on the hook. It is easy to rotate them just by unscrewing them from the top. If it's too splashy, open the middle hatches.

Then there is this expensive cautionary tale. Always remember to secure them closed tight before you haul the boat. If you don't latch them carefully (say, for example, just letting them settle into place), when you hit 55 mph and a bump on the freeway, they flip backward and explode their safety glass all over the place, including the cockpit and the startled Prius driver behind you who was previously admiring your fuel efficient boat. You then spend a year finding little bits of safety glass in all kinds of nooks and crannies. Fortunately, Richard in the Ranger Tugs parts department has costly replacement hatches for those who happen to do this really stupid thing.

I wouldn't know anybody who did this......

 

[Jake]

Then there is this expensive cautionary tale. Always remember to secure them closed tight before you haul the boat. If you don't latch them carefully (say, for example, just letting them settle into place), when you hit 55 mph and a bump on the freeway, they flip backward and explode their safety glass all over the place, including the cockpit and the startled Prius driver behind you who was previously admiring your fuel efficient boat. You then spend a year finding little bits of safety glass in all kinds of nooks and crannies. Fortunately, Richard in the Ranger Tugs parts department has costly replacement hatches for those who happen to do this really stupid thing.

I wouldn't know anybody who did this......

Great story, thanks for sharing. And I feel your pain because that is exactly the type of "accident" that would happen to me which I guess is why I never tow my boat. Yes, I'm chicken. 😳 Plus I don't have a tow vehicle since some teenager ran a light last year and totaled my Envoy and I didn't replace with a tow vehicle.

Jake

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

Yes, thanks for sharing your tale of woe. For me, one of the greatest benefits of this site is the opportunity to learn from others' mistakes and misfortunes. In fact, I wonder if we should lobby for a new forum titled "Cautionary Tales." I have a couple of potential entries and there will probably be more where they came from.