Hatch size?

[Dtrombley]

My wife and I have a boat under construction. It will have a flybridge. Access to it will be from the cockpit, up a ladder, then through a hatch. The suggested hatch size is 19" square, but that seems rather small. If you have such a setup, I'd like to know what size hatch you have and if it is large enough. Thanks for your input!

[UNCIVILIZED]

You can always measure how far from the ladder, set at the appropriate angle, the furthest point of you or your wife's backside is & then add in a safety factor. Particularly to include a regular (foam) PFD, & heavy clothing/foulies along with it.

[FutureStories]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

You can always measure how far from the ladder, set at the appropriate angle, the furthest point of you or your wife's backside is & then add in a safety factor. Particularly to include a regular (foam) PFD, & heavy clothing/foulies along with it.

^an interesting way to ask about his wife's backside

The more pictures you can provide of that the better

[Cheechako]

I think you want 24 x 24 minimum. Take a big piece of cardboard, cut a 19 x 19 square and see how it is getting thru it.

[Dtrombley]

Thanks to all who have responded so far. Sorry, FutureStories, no pics are forthcoming! We actually had made a 19x19" 'hatch' out of cardboard for testing and it seemed too tight. We also made a 23x23" cardboard 'hatch' and it seemed like it might be adequate. Cheechako's suggestion of 24x24" may be the way to go. I'd still like to hear from someone who has a hatch...what are its dimensions and how is it working out.