Any ideas? re: salon escape hatch

[tamicatana]

In the floor of my Catana's salon there is an escape hatch. Not unusual, of course. The problem is that the installed hatch is fairly sketch and I'd like to find something a bit more durable.

That's a problem.

I measure the opening to be 20 x 14.75 inches, (probably 51 x 37.5 cm?), and I'm not really finding anything to fit that size. Boat is 20 years old, which may be a factor. Opening would be SUPER difficult to modify, and if I have to do that I'll just 'glass it in solid instead.

Any sources? I have found one GEBO brand which is of similar size, sort of, ish

Gebo 19 5 8 x 14 1 2 in Aluminum Boat Escape Hatch | eBay


I suspect I won't find something within USA, if I had to guess

Thanks in advance

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by tamicatana

In the floor of my Catana's salon there is an escape hatch. Not unusual, of course. The problem is that the installed hatch is fairly sketch and I'd like to find something a bit more durable.

That's a problem.

I measure the opening to be 20 x 14.75 inches, (probably 51 x 37.5 cm?), and I'm not really finding anything to fit that size. Boat is 20 years old, which may be a factor. Opening would be SUPER difficult to modify, and if I have to do that I'll just 'glass it in solid instead.

Any sources? I have found one GEBO brand which is of similar size, sort of, ish

Gebo 19 5 8 x 14 1 2 in Aluminum Boat Escape Hatch | eBay


I suspect I won't find something within USA, if I had to guess

Thanks in advance

Try the Goiot hatches web site. Good luck with your search.

Ann

[tamicatana]

goiot didn't have the size. Neither does Lewmar. I did find a Vetus that is closer than the Gebo


thanks

[Stumble]

What model cat?

[tamicatana]

Catana 40S, 1993

[Stumble]

I would recommend calling catana to ask for help. If there is a significant concern they would be the first place to look for advice.

There may already be a fix in place.

[colemj]

Unfortunately, the company "Catana" that built her boat is not the same company "Catana" that is operating now.

Have you considered just bonding on a solid (non-opening) piece of safety glass and keeping one of those automobile window-breaking hammers inside next to it? That is how several new catamarans are being done now.

If you are concerned about getting back inside from the outside, then also mount a hammer somewhere on the stern, although I imagine the bridgedeck saloon would be pretty much sunk and uninhabitable should the boat capsize.

Or just glass it over. The chances that a bridgedeck hatch will be useful for retreat in a capsize are very slim. You will be swimming for it in the bridgedeck, and the open saloon door will be a better bet for escape.

Mark

[tamicatana]

Originally Posted by colemj

Unfortunately, the company "Catana" that built her boat is not the same company "Catana" that is operating now.

You got that right.

As to closing it up… well, I rather like the ventilation that the hatch provides, and it's kind of fun sometimes watching "Hatch TV" through it. That is to say, drop a light down and watch the sea-critters. (oh, and it being right in the dining area, sweep the crumbs right overboard, ha ha) It's an escape hatch, but I really don't think of it that way

I'm thinking I'll give the Vetus a go.

Thanks y'all for trying