Flush Access hatch on plywood floor

[sv_isara]

Hey all, I absolutely love my boat but one thing it needs is a bit more storage. I have that beautiful teak and holly sole, with storage underneath that would be next to impossible to access while on a rolling anchorage.

Is there any device/hatch that you know of that would both look decent enough, but more importantly lay 100% flush with the floor so I could use these empty areas as storage? Latch would need to be locking as well.

Thank you!

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by sv_sharky

Hey all, I absolutely love my boat but one thing it needs is a bit more storage. I have that beautiful teak and holly sole, with storage underneath that would be next to impossible to access while on a rolling anchorage.

Is there any device/hatch that you know of that would both look decent enough, but more importantly lay 100% flush with the floor so I could use these empty areas as storage? Latch would need to be locking as well.

Thank you!

The best thing you can possibly do is cut out the access hatch you want from the floor.

Then glue on a lip to the bottom of the leftover piece that is still the main part of the floor with the hole cut into it.

Next, put that piece you cut out right back down into the hole. The lip you created will hold it perfectly flush in place and it will look identical to the rest of the floor because that’s what it is. It’s part of the floor.

From there, you can do whatever you want with latches and other hardware.

Let me know if that made sense. If you were able to follow it. If not I can explain it better or maybe make a drawing.

[sv_isara]

Originally Posted by Chotu

The best thing you can possibly do is cut out the access hatch you want from the floor.

Then glue on a lip to the bottom of the leftover piece that is still the main part of the floor with the hole cut into it.

Next, put that piece you cut out right back down into the hole. The lip you created will hold it perfectly flush in place and it will look identical to the rest of the floor because that’s what it is. It’s part of the floor.

From there, you can do whatever you want with latches and other hardware.

Let me know if that made sense. If you were able to follow it. If not I can explain it better or maybe make a drawing.

Yes..I was just getting around to that idea. Just need to figure out a locking mechanism, which should be easy enough. I suppose not totally mandatory...but preferred. Thank you!

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by Chotu

The best thing you can possibly do is cut out the access hatch you want from the floor.

Then glue on a lip to the bottom of the leftover piece that is still the main part of the floor with the hole cut into it.

Next, put that piece you cut out right back down into the hole. The lip you created will hold it perfectly flush in place and it will look identical to the rest of the floor because that’s what it is. It’s part of the floor.

From there, you can do whatever you want with latches and other hardware.

Let me know if that made sense. If you were able to follow it. If not I can explain it better or maybe make a drawing.

Yes, I've done it this way, in several places, not for storage but access. But make sure that the lip you put underneath to hold your hatch is really strong. Boats move and you will, someday, land right on that hatch quite a bit harder than you think possible, and break it right out. I had to bolt some of mine.

[coopec43]

Don't forget the ring pull with latch (or without latch)

[Bill O]

We added several flush access doors when we revamped the the cabin sole. Here is a link to view pics and parts of what we did.

[sv_isara]

Originally Posted by Bill O

We added several flush access doors when we revamped the the cabin sole. Here is a link to view pics and parts of what we did.

Beautiful job! I have a small tooth plywood blade on a circular saw + masking tape. How did you make your cuts without messing up the edges?

[Bill O]

That should work well to make the cut outs.

I used a flush cut pull saw to finish the cuts in the corners and not over cut the wood with the circular saw

[gonesail]

the stanley sharptooth mini fine cut would serve you well for the corner details.