Foredeck hatch awning

[Resolve78]

Has anyone made an awning over their hatch above the v birth to allow improved air flow into the cabin but keeping rain out? My forward hatch measures 25 inches wide by 27 inches fore/aft. I would appreciate any awning suggestions.
Thank you,
Resolve78

[JPA Cate]

Yes, we made a hatch dodger, for our forehatch. The first one, we made it out of a cheap tarp; the next one was Stamoid, and it has lasted quite a long time. I sewed it on my old Pfaff 130, before I sold it, so a sturdy home machine is adequate to the job, and no walking foot required.

It is on a dorade principle. The forward baffle comes up from the bottom, and the aft one comes down from the top. Probably the cheapest thing to use for spreaders, is 1/2" dia. pvc pipe. We had a bunch of old flat mainsail battens that I used. You need spreaders to keep it all taut. On our boat, we only want the hatch open to about 45 deg., so that was incorporated into the design. If you decide to make it out of Stamoid, for its waterproof qualities even the heavier grade is easy to sew with a #16 needle, or a 14, if you use ptfe thread.

We are house sitting now, and the drawings for the hatch dodger are all on the boat. If you send me a PM, I can go out there soonish to get them. But there is no magic involved, and all the numbers are based on the size of your hatch, and also, if you have a baby stay or a staysail stay to hook it up to. Another way to do it is with fiberglass bows, like a baby buggy hood, so you have to decide which is easiest for you.

Ann

[carlosproa]

Would love to see pictures

[Tetepare]

You can buy covers that attach to lifelines and kept aloft by a halyard. About $100. Or find a used sail, a grommet tool and do it yourself for a few bucks.

[JPA Cate]

The main problem with lifeline attachment is that it impedes mobility going forward, to deal with snubber or other anchoring issues. We prefer to keep the foredeck clear. Ymmv.

Ann

[Spindrift NH]

I made one out of stamoid. Because of my stay sail boom I had to get a little creative. The front extends beyond the cabin top by a few feet acting as a scoop for air. It’s worked great for most rain but in super heavy downpours it does allow some rain splash to get under it but it’s mostly just a mist.