Dufour 385 anchor locker hatch

[GeorgeGuk]

Hello, I have a dufour 385, with a destroyed anchor compartment.
GRP body was restored. I need anchor locker hatch.
My yacht Dufour 385. FR-DUF-E0264E404.
Year of production 2003.
Maybe someone can tell me where I can buy a hatch or have it made.

[GeorgeGuk]

If necessary, I can send photos of the damage.

[coopec43]

If you had the damaged lid to use as a pattern it would not be hard for someone with a bit of experience with fiberglass to make one up. (I am sure the local surf-board manufacturer could make one up)

[GeorgeGuk]

The main problem is that the hatch is completely lost.

[GeorgeGuk]

Maybe there are sites with damaged yachts where you can buy a used hatch, for example.

The manufacturer Dufour does not respond willingly to the request and refused to help with such an old yacht.

[coopec43]

OMG! That is nasty.

But someone who is experienced with f/g would have no trouble at all making one up. All you have to do is find that someone!

I could make up a female mold in 3 hours and next day lay X4 layers of CSM (and ply) . Preferably leave it for a day (depending on temperature) and then trim it up and fit it

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by GeorgeGuk

Maybe there are sites with damaged yachts where you can buy a used hatch, for example.

The manufacturer Dufour does not respond willingly to the request and refused to help with such an old yacht.

They probably didn't make up spares and no longer have the molds.

[coopec43]

This is the hardest bit of fiber-glassing I have had to do so making up your chain locker lid would be quite easy for someone with a bit of experience.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by GeorgeGuk

The main problem is that the hatch is completely lost.

Can we ask how that happened?

[GeorgeGuk]

The problem is that all the fragments of the hatch are missing. I want to get the most original part possible. The surface of the hatch is roughened so as not to be slippery. Another challenge is finding the correct deck plane.

[GeorgeGuk]

Collision with a metal ship (((

[Cheechako]

That looks readily fabricated for someone with reasonable fiberglass skills.

If you dont want that expense, the other option is split it down the middle into a 2 piece hatch, split lengthwise right under the chain and make those out of Starboard. (No hump over the chain) This could give you better foot room up there without the hump.
I assume your anchor locker has good drains?

[iansan5653]

I'd ask Dufour. They might have a spare sitting in storage somewhere, or they might know a boatyard that specializes in Dufour yachts and might be parting one out.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by iansan5653

I'd ask Dufour. They might have a spare sitting in storage somewhere, or they might know a boatyard that specializes in Dufour yachts and might be parting one out.

He's tried Dufor he says (Comment #5)

They are not going to keep spares or original molds for 20+ years