How watertite are these inspection hatches ?

[Dave_S]

I'd like to fit a couple of these hand sized screw in hatches into the back, top face of the lowest level of my sugar scoops to alow me access to thru-fix a swim ladder fittings and fittings for the rudder release also to check/remove any water that may get passed the fixing holes over time.

They will regularly have green water swirling over the top of them will they stay sealed ? Is there a smarter way ?

It's just going into a small area, maybe 50lt capacity which is fully sealed so water won't reach the strip plank.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

I'd like to fit a couple of these hand sized screw in hatches into the back, top face of the lowest level of my sugar scoops to alow me access to thru-fix a swim ladder fittings and fittings for the rudder release also to check/remove any water that may get passed the fixing holes over time.

They will regularly have green water swirling over the top of them will they stay sealed ? Is there a smarter way ?

It's just going into a small area, maybe 50lt capacity which is fully sealed so water won't reach the strip plank.

Hi, have you considered the stainless version, they remain rigid and sealed, no distortion on install and have a socket cast into the face that takes a winch handle to undo/tighten.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Hi, have you considered the stainless version, they remain rigid and sealed, no distortion on install and have a socket cast into the face that takes a winch handle to undo/tighten.

Thanks Bob

They sound nice, I'll look them up, maybe heavy ?

[Caddy Shack]

I have one of those on my foredeck and it is watertight, and I have taken plenty of green water over the bow after many thousands of miles.

[Matt Johnson]

The Beckson screw in ports like you've shown are water tight and would work well for this application. I wouldn't put one below the waterline, but above would be just fine.

Their rectangular hatches are not watertight after a year or two.

Matt

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Thanks Bob

They sound nice, I'll look them up, maybe heavy ?

Definitely heavier than plastic , don't warp or twist on install if the glass is not flat, don't deteriorate from UV and you can't accidently damage them. A one time purchase and install given the location.

[Trvlmedic]

Go for it. Haven't had a problem with mine.

Don

[Dave_S]

Thanks all

[grahamb]

there is little difference in the weights of plastic and stainless......have used them only on tank tops inside the yacht with no leakage......found the plastic ones bind heavily....I used a specialist high vacuum grease as a preventative with success.....but the finger purchase is so small that I made angle aluminium brackets and through bolts...which fixed that.....but the tank tops were not where foot traffic occurred......unlike your situation...I would go with stainless.....the winch handle is a good persuader.....and with lanoline grease...….and carry a spare O ring or two...…..

[Djarraluda]

I fitted a stainless one on cockpit sole last year.
I chose the one with 2 small indents and also bought the tool to fit because I did not want a winch handle fitting under my bare foot. It is easy to walk on but still gets hot on bare foot yet I am happy to have less of an indent. I do not like sharp edges.
I have the plastic ones in anchor well and they bind badly, had to destroy one to open it but have a Riley plastic one on a bulkhead that seals fine.
I would prefer stainless on a walking surface but would avoid the winch handle type.
Roger

[flyingfin]

Is the surface you will be mounting to flat? What diameter is the port?
To be waterproof, it will need excellent caulking to a clean, flush surface. The rubber o-ring will need to be coated with vaseline everytime it is opened/closed. You should also consider a secondary latch to prevent it from backing out. These hatches should not be in a location where crew can walk on them, and should have UV stabilizer in the plastic. In addition, buy extra o-rings, rebed the hatch every 4-5 years and replace the entire hatch every 8-10 years. Plastic dont like the sun.

[GordMay]

Beckson pry-out and screw-out deck plates in all sizes are now certified by independent lab testing to exceed FIVE certifications!
ABYC H-3 Watertightness, & ABYC H-4 Cockpit Drainage Systems
NEMA 250 6P Submergence
ISO 12216, ISO 11812

NEMA 6P (Occasional prolonged submersion) ➥ https://www.nema.org/Products/Docume...sure-types.pdf

[DefinitelyMe]

Not sure about lab testing, but I have been underwhelmed by these hatches. Beckson. Installed three of them in the tops of my fibreglass water tanks and they all leaked after about six months. Put Vaseline on the seals. Leaked again after a few months. Sealed them in with silicone. That has done the trick, but now I can’t ever open them again. If I did it again I’d just put a solid inspection hatch on and seal it down with silicone (something watertight but not too adhesive). When I want to get access I’d just break the silicone seal, then clean it up, re-seal and screw it down again.

I should have known really. I worked for a salvage company for 5 years and one of the primary causes of water getting into the bilges and sinking a boat was leaking hatches. Usually it was the big square ones that one often finds at the stern of outboard-powered motorboats. As a previous post has suggested, they leak badly after a short time. But sometimes it was the smaller round ones like the one you want to use. Often neglected, however, with degraded seals.

[contrail]

I just did EXACTLY the same project, two weeks ago, for exactly the same reason! Sugar scoop, swimming ladder, access to the nuts of the thru bolts, round Beckson inspection ports, big enough to put your hand through! Above the waterline but awash when underway.



Give me a week or so and I will report. Interesting to be asked just this question!

[bsousa]

I understand this is a very old post but hoping the question posted was resolved.... Looking to put two screw-in deck plates on the topside of my sugar scoop in order to access and replace the scupper and exhaust hoses. I was intending to use stainless, 316 , screw in plates but was concerned about their temperature to feet when used as a swim platform. Any long term experience from the installations mentioned above ?

Thanks !

Brian