Plastic Escape Hatches?

[Chotu]

I was looking at Lewmar escape hatches and saw complaints of them corroding, failing in 5 years, ruining interiors.

Not too encouraging.

So, I was looking around at various hatches and saw these:

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/square-escape-hatch

The fact that they can’t corrode seems like a huge plus. What about the plastic? Does that seem like it’ll fail somehow?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I was looking at Lewmar escape hatches and saw complaints of them corroding, failing in 5 years, ruining interiors.

Not too encouraging.

So, I was looking around at various hatches and saw these:

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/square-escape-hatch

The fact that they can’t corrode seems like a huge plus. What about the plastic? Does that seem like it’ll fail somehow?

My boat is 16 years old , still with original lewmar hatches. No issues

[Bean Counter]

Did not think corrosion was the issue, more like failed seals. Interesting though these seem to be used by Bayliner power boats, so are these escape hatches in advent of fire? don't know that the engineering would cover wave slap.

[AiniA]

Why not call the manufacturer and ask them if they think they are suitable for this use. Lot better than asking us. When they call it an escape hatch does not mean for use on the ocean side of the boat for years to come.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

My boat is 16 years old , still with original lewmar hatches. No issues

I think it was the newer ones and the low profile ones specifically.

Does anyone have hatch suggestions? A brand they prefer?

It’s pretty much lewmar and Bomar still, right?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Why not call the manufacturer and ask them if they think they are suitable for this use. Lot better than asking us. When they call it an escape hatch does not mean for use on the ocean side of the boat for years to come.

I’m sure they think their deck hatches are suitable for use on decks. That’s their entire market.

I think you’re misunderstanding what an escape hatch is. Don’t worry. I didn’t know this name for them either.

It just means a hatch you can open from inside and outside. Like most deck hatches.

[AiniA]

I thought you meant the hatch that allows you to get out of your cat when the mast is pointing at the bottom of the ocean.

[Franziska]

I think a dedicated soft spot laminated in might be better.

Alternatively if it worries you, put in the Lewmar hatches and laminate them over on the inside with a very light laminate which you can rip out in case you are upside down.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by AiniA

I thought you meant the hatch that allows you to get out of your cat when the mast is pointing at the bottom of the ocean.

No, I do not believe in those things.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Franziska

I think a dedicated soft spot laminated in might be better.

Alternatively if it worries you, put in the Lewmar hatches and laminate them over on the inside with a very light laminate which you can rip out in case you are upside down.

I’m not putting in those hatches at the waterline.

Deck Hatches with handles both inside and outside are called escape hatches now for some reason.

[Franziska]

Not sure I'd go with a flimsy looking hatch from an unknown manufacturer.
Plastic does not last well in UV. I'd go for a metal framed one of a brand manufacturer (Spares... in a few years!)

There are a big number of known manufacturers with aluminum frames.
On deck I am pretty convinced of Lewmar hatches.
Other reputable ones are:
Bomar, Vetus, Solimar, Rutgerson


I think they only call them escape hatches because they have a certain size which makes them acceptable as such.

Originally Posted by Chotu

I was looking at Lewmar escape hatches and saw complaints of them corroding, failing in 5 years, ruining interiors.

Not too encouraging.

So, I was looking around at various hatches and saw these:

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/square-escape-hatch

The fact that they can’t corrode seems like a huge plus. What about the plastic? Does that seem like it’ll fail somehow?

[Tin Tin]

For what it is worth Escape hatches designed to ISO certification have a "zone" certification, ie Hull, Deck etc have different zones.


For interest see attached brochure for various hatches - only a few have escape hatch designation page 4, 13


https://www.bsidk.com/wp-content/upl...nlight_web.pdf

[Chotu]

I can’t explain it. Terminology has changed.

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/bo...ion-boat-hatch

https://www.vetus.com/en/boat-window...n-hatches.html

[sailingabe41ds]

Originally Posted by Chotu

No, I do not believe in those things.

I bet the people in the movie the Poseidon Adventure wish they had one.

Abe

[Manateeman]

I need to replace all four Bomar Ocean series hatches. I’ll build all aluminum to replace them. One of the plastic lenses split clean across the hatch from the hole drilled for the dog. Even thought they were just out of warranty, Bomar told me to stuff it. Almost $1,000 each. Extruded frames frequently crack at the weld because the frame is anodized and it’s difficult to TIG anodized aluminum. Not impossible, just difficult. Anodized before bending results in very fine cracks where the extrusion is bent and that’s where corrosion will start. The rubber seals will shrink and the superglue will fail as the plastic of the lense expands and contracts. I’ve never seen TefGel used on any of the factory stainless fastenings so you can guess what fun is on the way.
Cast aluminum is a whole different story...ask commercial fishermen why it’s the only hatch they trust.
You can have a good aluminum shop fabricate any design and while you might pay more than an extruded recreational hatch, you will know it will last.
Mark and his TIG happy manatee crew.