Hatch Security

[vancouver25]

For companionway hatch I had some stainless grates fabricated in Ecuador similar to those on James Baldwin's site. Quotes in US were $800+. Cost in Ecuador was $120 and had them the next day...but that's another discussion.

For my deck hatch I made up a prototype of stainless bars and L-brackets. A top piece and bottom piece "sandwich" together at right angles and are fastened with a padlock. These only work with the hatch open so really only for anchorage. But...I like that I didn't have to modify the hatch or drill any holes.

I did make one out of 3/4" aluminum but was able to saw through with a hacksaw in less than 30 seconds. The current version is 1/2" stainless that costs/weighs more but seems to be the better choice. L-brackets are 3/16". Hopefully the pics make it clear.

[Cotemar]

Maybe some of these security hatches will work for you.

[denverd0n]

I think that in the case of a fire inside the boat that wakes me up in the middle of the night--chocking with smoke, adrenaline pumping through my system--the very LAST thing that I want to have to do is fumble with keys and try to work a padlock in order to get out. That's why I said previously that I think any security measures need to be very quick and easy to open in case of an emergency. I do not consider a padlock to meet the definition of "quick and easy."

[pistarckle]

Josh Slocum thru tacks on his decks at night !
I seen a system on a boat in Culebra that was kinda original . The sailor took a yoga mat and stuck roofing nails thru it every 3 or 4 inches and cut it to fit his cockpit . Roll it out at nite and store in daytime .

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

I think that in the case of a fire inside the boat that wakes me up in the middle of the night--chocking with smoke, adrenaline pumping through my system--the very LAST thing that I want to have to do is fumble with keys and try to work a padlock in order to get out. That's why I said previously that I think any security measures need to be very quick and easy to open in case of an emergency. I do not consider a padlock to meet the definition of "quick and easy."

Fair point - but no one size fits all solution. Folks have to judge own risks (fire vs intruders), with a grill being only one small part of the risk management for both.

Having said that, am sure with a bit of thought a quick release mechanism could be constructed.......of course that does not fit in well with the normal (unwritten) requirement on these sorts of threads - of not needing to use any brain cells (and usually also being cheap!....."I have $200k of boat, am terrified of intruders - how can I travel to every backwater on the planet and be 110% safe for less than a dollar in a way that requires no use of own brain cells?" ).

[Andy73]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

."I have $200k of boat, am terrified of intruders - how can I travel to every backwater on the planet and be 110% safe for less than a dollar in a way that requires no use of own brain cells?" ).

Surely that's not too much to ask? My safety and comfort is everyone's top concern isn't it?

[MarcStAug]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Have one of these knocked up



The hatch, I mean....
Mark

I'd be very interested in where this image came from. This is, minus the insect screen I'd like on the back, to be exactly what I was thinking about as far as night time security goes.