Sitting on front hatch cover R21EC.

[WaltCh]

I have an R21EC. When taking passengers out on it, it seems like everyone wants to sit right on the front hatch cover. I haven’t let anybody sit on it yet, telling them it wasn’t designed to take the weight of someone sitting on it.

Is it okay to allow someone to sit on the front hatch cover? Will the front hatch cover take the weight of someone sitting on it without causing damage to it?

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Never been a problem for our boat

 

[baz]

I never had anyone sitting directly on the closed hatch. What was done frequently was allowing my grandkids stand on the V-berth and stick their heads out of the opened hatch... this was a safer approach for me rather than allowing them to sit on top of the closed hatch. Adults would be a different story, as they're larger heavier and would seriously block the forward view when underway. With the boat stationary I would not be too concerned about the hatch not being strong enough to deal with an adult sitting on the hatch.

 

[bob daily]

Walt
Why take a chance? What a good winter project to make a cushion that would distribute the weight and add some comfort to your passengers, could be attached using a few snaps like the ones on your motor box cover, I haven't had that problem myself, but a good place to put the kids on a calm day and keep them out of my beer cooler!

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Careful with the snaps.drill the holes so that they will not drill through into the cabin.

 

[scross]

I’d advise against anyone sitting in the hatch especially if underway. Long time ago my 80 pound daughter cracked the hatch in our cabin cruiser while sitting on it. Larger hatch than on the RT but they do break! It was an expensive repair....

 

[dclagett]

From a Coast Guard point of view this comes under “Reckless and Negligent Operation”. Passengers must be in a seat when underway. Bow riding or seatback, gunwale or transom has been the cause on many accidents which has prompted the CG and local law inforcement to focus on. It is a civil penalty under federal law with a $5000 fine and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year.

 

[bob daily]

John
Why not drill through the hull? That's the way the others are installed from the factory with a little planning the other side will be hidden and out of the way as not be a safety issue! The first hole I drilled through my boat was a 2 1/8 in through the bottom for installation of a sonar transducer, I did check with the local boat/fiberglass repair shop to see what it would cost if I screwed up. After that I've made numerous modifications that required drilling, just be sure to seal and ensure watertight integrity
Bob

 

[bob daily]

Reckless and negligent operation of a watercraft 46-U.S. Code 2303
States : Allowing a passenger to ride on a raised deck, seat back, transom, Grunwald, or bow where there may be a risk of falling overboard.
With the bow rail and calm water this would not be a problem with someone sitting fwd of the cabin on a R-21.
Be safe and have fun. Bob

 

[Gin]

For anyone who might want to add snaps without drilling, YKK's "snads" are great. They adhere strongly to just about any surface on a boat (gelcoat, glass, stainless steel, etc). If you ever need to remove them, they take some convincing to get off, but they remove without damage. They are significantly more expensive than regular snaps. But for specialty areas, you usually don't need a lot of them, and they work well -- in some instances, they work where nothing else will. I'm attaching a photo of the various configurations and sizes they come in.

Sailrite.com has a good selection. Perfectfit.com has a more limited selection, but the prices are usually better. Those are my regular sources. I'm sure there are many others. I've seen them sold under the Sea Dog brand as well. They seemed like the same thing, just a change of brand. And a bit more expensive, at least in the marine store where I saw them.

Gini