Why a Sea Hood ?

[ksmith]

I have a 1977 Columbia 8.7. The screws used on the Sea Hood were leaking into the cabin at several places also the hatch was binding up.. Sooo I took the Sea Hood off. It occurred to me that my 1970 Tartan 27 did not have a Sea Hood. All of my sailing is in Tampa Bay. Some day maybe I will get to do a little coastal. My question is "what is the purpose of a sea hood".

[gulfstar37]

First time you get green water on deck you will know what the sea hood is for.

Many years ago I had a 1977 Catalina 27 that did not have a sea hood. The first wave I took over the deck I had a water fall through the front of the companion way hatch that soaked everything. I believe Catalina started putting sea hoods on standard around 1982.

I have seen several home made sea hoods some look like factory installed some did not.

[dgseng]

In the most simple terms - it keeps the wet stuff away from the dry parts. The design of sliding companionway hatches dictate that if there's enough water sloshing over the cabin top that some water will work it's way inside. The sea hood cover's and protects the "crack" between the cabin top and the hatch (as well as protecting the open hatch itself).

Is it necessary? Often the answer is no. Our 1978 Nor'Sea 27 doesn't have one and never has - but it's going to get one for sailing here in SE Alaska!

DaveS
Juneau, AK

[Minggat]

Getting set up with a sea hood was one of the boat projects I'm most proud of. My '73 boat came without one as well. You could easily see severe damage to the interior caused by the water that found its' way inside. I also managed to get seawater inside on my own. Un-fun

I took my existing fiberglass sliding hatch and made it into the sea hood, then made a new, much neater, translucent sliding hatch. Light comes in, water stays out.

[Pete7]

The spray hood and the side dodgers provide a protected cockpit during inclement weather which we do know a bit about on this side of the pond at 51N

We wouldn't be without them

Pete

[perchance]

Originally Posted by Pete7

The spray hood and the side dodgers provide a protected cockpit during inclement weather which we do know a bit about on this side of the pond at 51N

We wouldn't be without them

Pete

I think you guys invented inclement weather.

[simonmd]

and it's a helpfull windbreak too. When traveling upwind, it's nice to have a break from constant wind in the face. Bit like asking 'why does a car have a windscreen' really.

[ksmith]

Thanks for the responses. I never was going to eliminate the sea hood. I just wanted to know its purpose.