Why are lazarette hatches transparent?

[Paulihno]

Hi there, rookie question --

Why are the hatches on sail lockers at the bow of boats transparent? Presumably these are more expensive, more likely to leak and possibly heavier than just a solid fiberglass hatch.

Is there a need for sunlight to get down into the locker when it's closed?

Thanks,
P

[Don C L]

Yes! Well at least that’s my opinion. Back when the bow really was a place to stow sails etc. it was really nice to not have to work in the dark. Yes there are electric lights, but sometimes they don’t work or aren’t bright enough so a big blast of sunshine is really nice IMO. You can always put a cover on it once yer back in. Even if you don’t have sails, or lines or other equipment up there stowed , it’s still nice to have the light.

[Paulihno]

Aha, thanks Don!

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by Paulihno

Hi there, rookie question --

Why are the hatches on sail lockers at the bow of boats transparent? Presumably these are more expensive, more likely to leak and possibly heavier than just a solid fiberglass hatch.

Is there a need for sunlight to get down into the locker when it's closed?

Thanks,
P

Typically you would be referring to a sail locker or a foredeck hatch. The term lazarette is usually reserved for a hatch at the stern or aft deck.
Since the advent of mass production fiberglass boats hatches were often made of teak or mahogany, this progressed to fiberglass hatches. They were often susceptible to leaking. Once the modern aluminum framed hatches with lexan lenses came onto the market we finally had dependable leak proof hatches…..for a while anyway. Gaskets are perishable and must be maintained if their watertight integrity is to remain.
Both fresh air and natural light are very beneficial and make life below eminently more comfortable. Dorades and leak proof hatches are a godsend on passages at sea.

[Manateeman]

Our laz and anchor / collision bulkhead hatches are commercial aluminum hatches like you find on fishing boats. They weigh enough to break your fingers.
We also bought four “Ocean “ hatches. One lense cracked when I stepped on it during construction. Me..200 lbs...not my manatee crew.
These are extruded frames. The old cast frames were much stronger.
We will replace all the production boat hatches with solid welded frames.
We have serious reservations about extruded hatches offshore.
Extruded hatches are less expensive and faster to install for builders...that’s all.
Look at the deck on fishing boats and you will see what they think is necessary to keep the ocean out.
Depends where you sail... your ideas about structural strength...and the average weight of your crew.
Happy trails to you.
Captain Mark and the manatee crew.

[noelex 77]

It is mystery.

A solid aluminium hatch is stronger, more waterproof and UV resistant, with fewer seals to leak. Strangly they are often significantly more expensive than a plastic hatch which I think is the reason behind their limited use. It is a pity as the long term saving involved in keeping the hatch water proof usually more than covers the higher initial cost.

Some users replace the plastic lens with an aluminium lens, but there is still a lot of unessary and leak prone sealant between the the alumium lens and frame as well as the hatch handles.

[delphys44]

I like them because when I stuff in a particularly annoying crew member for a while, I can easily check up on him/her every so often.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

It is mystery.

A solid aluminium hatch is stronger, more waterproof and UV resistant, with fewer seals to leak. Strangly they are often significantly more expensive than a plastic hatch which I think is the reason behind their limited use. It is a pity as the long term saving involved in keeping the hatch water proof usually more than covers the higher initial cost.

Some users replace the plastic lens with an aluminium lens, but there is still a lot of unessary and leak prone sealant between the the alumium lens and frame as well as the hatch handles.

When i purchased my current boat the two Lazarette (aft deck) hatches were solid plastic made by Bomar, even though they were fairly strong the previous owner had attempted to reinforce them as they are in a high traffic area and they still flexed when stepped on, also as you point out they had suffered UV damage over the years.

I decided to renew them, found the same hatch on the Bomar website so I could renew like for like without having to cut or modify the hole.....i then looked further into the website and found the exact same hatch only made in aluminium, not cheap at all but well worth the investment.

511mm x 460mm

[SV Siren]

Personally, for me, my forward hatch is directly above the v-berth. I really like the light that comes through lighting up that area. if it were not for that hatch, there would be no natural light for the forward areas.

[celle2000]

A dark warm locker is a great place to grow mold. A bit of sunshine hinders that.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by delphys44

I like them because when I stuff in a particularly annoying crew member for a while, I can easily check up on him/her every so often.

Glad to see you were politically correct, him/her.

[PineyWoodsPete]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Glad to see you were politically correct, him/her.

Or for your 15 year old grandperson and their personfriend of 17!